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AquiziTC · **06-23-2015, 04:02 PM**

I think I may do that then. While yes mostly everything is welcome and friendly, having a place "of our own" can be wonderful and stress-relieving in its own right

Nebbs · **06-23-2015, 04:05 PM**

Both in my experience and from talking with others I think this is a tolerant RP culture we have here. That does not mean all is well, as where there are people there are some tensions. However, acceptance is generally practiced by the majority.

For play and RP I would think people who like to play and get along like you do irrespective of their sexuality is what I would recommend. After all, we can leave a lot of our RL masks behind when we are here.

That said I can fully accept and understand why people want to group together with others that "get them" is some way. There are many many tribes. So long as people are open and interact with some respect and trust the community generally gets along.

All in all, this is a great community.

Alderique · **06-23-2015, 04:32 PM**

(06-23-2015, 04:00 PM)Natalie Mcbeef Wrote: I'm just curious, what sort of issues would a LGBT person encounter that would make you worry?

I'm transgender and I've never felt like there have been any issues from the community.

OOC, I feel fine among RP communities are they are usually pretty inclusive. Non-RP game communities aren't a different story, but that's not so relevant while talking on a RP forum.

The environment is not so threatening anymore, but I think it's nice to be able to find other characters in the same boat. I've seldomly found the opportunity to roleplay any same-sex romances, mainly due to not finding other characters. When I have, it was usually a "you're the only other gay I've ever met" situation. It's a little encouraging to know who's out there.

For me, it's less about wanting to be somewhere protected, and more about being somewhere that encourages connections.

Gone. · **06-23-2015, 05:52 PM**

(06-23-2015, 04:00 PM)Natalie Mcbeef Wrote: I'm just curious, what sort of issues would a LGBT person encounter that would make you worry?

I'm transgender and I've never felt like there have been any issues from the community.

I won't name names per rules, but I do recall a number of members in an FC that took major issue with a friend of mine and the lesbian relationship her character had with one of mine.

Also a number of my FFXIV companions were only found only due to my open, welcoming nature when it comes to LGBT folks.

Not everyone is accepting; sad, yet ultimately true. I can very much understand why someone would still be worried no matter how much the surface level of our community says otherwise.

Nako Vesh · **06-23-2015, 07:22 PM**

(06-23-2015, 03:34 PM)Hammersmith Wrote:
(06-23-2015, 03:10 PM)Blue Wrote: I am going to talk from a pretty neutral standpoint here (I RP both etherosexual and homosexual characters, and am borderline asexual IRL, not like all this should matter anyway), but I think that one of the best ways to prevent discrimination is to avoid lobbying into categories. Communities that try to cater to only certain people always end up causing negative feelings from those that are not "allowed". It has been like this since the age of times, between rich and poor, X race and Y race, religion A and religion B. People don't like to feel excluded or marked as different, and groups like this do cause those feelings. This is why while I fully support people of different sexual orientation, I do not quite agree with LGBT communities or LGBT centered events (cause I mean, it's not like there are straight-centered events).

I do understand the desire to be with people with similar interests as yours, but forming barriers is something lobbies/specific communities do very easily. I prefer to RP my homosexual character in a mixed community, without trying put myself in a special circle or to keep others out. It's the key to become included in the world, both IC and OOC.

With that being said, I'm pretty sure there are several LGBT-only free companies or linkshells, so I'll go back to my corner. I just felt I had to share my opinion as a roleplayer of all orientations (I like to RP characters of all types, long as they're different from my real self to avoid OOC bleeding. It's like an unpaid actor job, in a way!).

This is a pretty flawed and dangerous argument.

Unfortunately for any community that isn't cis, het, and often male, it's expected and normally enforced, often in subtle ways like this, that if they don't let "Normal Joe" in, they're the racist/bigot/bad guy. Â And this is wrong, VERY WRONG.

There is nothing wrong with spaces intended for specific groups of people who are not in the majority. Â Anyone who insists this is discriminatory, closed minded, or otherwise because they're not letting in a "majority" doesn't seem to understand that the majority already owns, operates, and gets into, everything, everywhere. Â Everywhere is a majority holder's safe space. Â It leaves very few platforms where non-majority people can dwell and talk without having to instantly cater to the majority's views, cultural or otherwise.

It's not just a "I want to be with my own people" white room thing. Â It's a "The entirety of the world is not geared towards me and I need a space that I can turn to that is, when I get tired of that" thing. Â It's "There are very few places in this culture that are made and understand me without baggage, judgement, or instant categorization according to a discriminatory cultural standard so having a safe space is good" thing. Â

But you're one of theÂ Allies? Fine. Â This isn't your space. Â You don't need to get butt-pats for being a good person. Â You should be doing that because it's right, not because you want to buy access to something that you're not part of. Â You don't need to take something from people who have very little as a payment for your kindness. Â You're an ally because you already have everything. Â You already have the power and should be applying that without any "but"s and strings attached.

It's a mental health thing to have these kinds of safe spaces, something that's dramatically demonstrated in the kinds of mental health hardships the LGBT community suffers under. Â

Obviously people being people will be dramatic, but that's an RPer community thing that us nerds can afford to work on, not a any specific line OTHER than RPer community thing.

TLDR; Community specific and "walled" groups for LGBT communities are not discriminatory.

I agree 100% with this.Â

Unfortunately, someone is going to bring up the argument, "Well, if they can have their group, then <insert hate group here> can have theirs!" As if that has any bearing on the issue here. It comes up every time someone asks around for a group like this. It's about safe spaces. Let people have theirs without lecturing them, please.

AquiziTC · **06-23-2015, 08:27 PM**

Tada! The linkshell is all made and stuff, link here!

K'hatos · **06-23-2015, 08:35 PM**

As a lot of commenters have already stated, Balmung is a very LGBT friendly place.Â I've been playing since launch, and I've never come across anyone with any inclination toward discrimination against people of differing orientation.Â As a gay RP'er myself, I'd say that the percentage of RP'ers who are GLBT is significantly higher than the population in the real world.Â We're everywhere.

In the past I've started and been a part of several LGBT centric groups, and from my experience it's a double edged sword.Â While it's nice to have a group that understands your unique experiences and tribulations, creating a group geared toward sexual orientation does run an elevated risk of brining questionable characters out of the woodwork.

Furthermore I echo an earlier sentiment that creating an exclusively LGBT group does a disservice to people by underestimating their ability to empathize.Â Drawing lines and creating "others" is after all the root of why people may not feel comfortable in certain environments.Â Anyway, just my two gil.

P.S.

A few tips.Â Most Tia's are gay, and never follow a lalafell down a dark alley.

Chris Ganale · **06-23-2015, 08:39 PM**

(06-23-2015, 08:35 PM)Khatos Wrote: Most Tia's are gay

One would be wise not to assume all are.

McBeefâ„¢ · **06-23-2015, 08:41 PM**

(06-23-2015, 08:35 PM)Khatos Wrote: As a lot of commenters have already stated, Balmung is a very LGBT friendly place.Â I've been playing since launch, and I've never come across anyone with any inclination toward discrimination against people of differing orientation.Â As a gay RP'er myself, I'd say that the percentage of RP'ers who are GLBT is significantly higher than the population in the real world.Â We're everywhere.

In the past I've started and been a part of several LGBT centric groups, and from my experience it's a double edged sword.Â While it's nice to have a group that understands your unique experiences and tribulations, creating a group geared toward sexual orientation does run an elevated risk of brining questionable characters out of the woodwork.

Furthermore I echo an earlier sentiment that creating an exclusively LGBT group does a disservice to people by underestimating their ability to empathize.Â Drawing lines and creating "others" is after all the root of why people may not feel comfortable in certain environments.Â Anyway, just my two gil.

P.S.

A few tips.Â Most Tia's are gay, and never follow a lalafell down a dark alley.

Same, nothing wrong with an LGBT linkshell, but all you'll be doing is cloistering yourself.

...and my Tia is gay too <_< >_>

Maybe the Nunh is just the only straight one.

"Whoever pulls the short straw has to have sex with all these ladies."

AquiziTC · **06-23-2015, 08:52 PM**

(06-23-2015, 08:41 PM)Natalie Mcbeef Wrote:
(06-23-2015, 08:35 PM)K Wrote: In the past I've started and been a part of several LGBT centric groups, and from my experience it's a double edged sword.Â While it's nice to have a group that understands your unique experiences and tribulations, creating a group geared toward sexual orientation does run an elevated risk of brining questionable characters out of the woodwork.

Furthermore I echo an earlier sentiment that creating an exclusively LGBT group does a disservice to people by underestimating their ability to empathize.Â Drawing lines and creating "others" is after all the root of why people may not feel comfortable in certain environments.Â Anyway, just my two gil.

P.S.

A few tips.Â Most Tia's are gay, and never follow a lalafell down a dark alley.

Same, nothing wrong with an LGBT linkshell, but all you'll be doing is cloistering yourself.

...and my Tia is gay too <_< Â >_>

Maybe the Nunh is just the only straight one.

"Whoever pulls the short straw has to have sex with all these ladies."

I don't know. It's not like being in a specific linkshell means you're cutting off all contact to the outside world! It can just be a more convenient place to find people you want to find, or to just.. let loose for a little while.

On another note I should be meeting these Tias, or a Xaela please.

Alderique · **06-23-2015, 09:30 PM**

(06-23-2015, 08:35 PM)K Wrote: A few tips.Â Most Tia's are gay, and never follow a lalafell down a dark alley.

That explains all those filler quests Papalymo gave me.

I'm glad the server is as welcoming as it is. Thanks everyone.

shotgunbadger · **06-23-2015, 09:31 PM**

I'm sorry did I miss a rule where if you join an LGBT LS you take a vow of silence from all others? In what world is it not kinda a dick move to lecture minorities about how they're doing 'disservice' because how dare they want a space to themselves? Like, this is a step away from 'woah and where's my WHITE history month' nonsense. Some minorities like having a place where people in similar situations as them can be talked to easily. No one's saying they only are allowed to join a gay group and then they must forsake all others like they're joining the Nights Watch, what harm does it do you?

K'hatos · **06-23-2015, 09:36 PM**

(06-23-2015, 09:31 PM)shotgunbadger Wrote: I'm sorry did I miss a rule where if you join an LGBT LS you take a vow of silence from all others? In what world is it not kinda a dick move to lecture minorities about how they're doing 'disservice' because how dare they want a space to themselves? Like, this is a step away from 'woah and where's my WHITE history month' nonsense. Some minorities like having a place where people in similar situations as them can be talked to easily. No one's saying they only are allowed to join a gay group and then they must forsake all others like they're joining the Nights Watch, what harm does it do you?

Way to invent outrage.Â My eyes are currently rolling.Â Please stand by.

- Sincerely, effeminate Tia

shotgunbadger · **06-23-2015, 09:38 PM**

Yea I'm inventing outrage not the dudes going 'woah wait an LGBT group ARE YOU SAYING YOU THINK WE ALL HATE YOU OR SOMETHING WOW WAY TO DO A DISSERVICE'.

Tseren · **06-23-2015, 09:38 PM**

(06-23-2015, 08:52 PM)AquiziTC Wrote:
(06-23-2015, 08:41 PM)Natalie Mcbeef Wrote:
(06-23-2015, 08:35 PM)K Wrote: In the past I've started and been a part of several LGBT centric groups, and from my experience it's a double edged sword.Â While it's nice to have a group that understands your unique experiences and tribulations, creating a group geared toward sexual orientation does run an elevated risk of brining questionable characters out of the woodwork.

Furthermore I echo an earlier sentiment that creating an exclusively LGBT group does a disservice to people by underestimating their ability to empathize.Â Drawing lines and creating "others" is after all the root of why people may not feel comfortable in certain environments.Â Anyway, just my two gil.

P.S.

A few tips.Â Most Tia's are gay, and never follow a lalafell down a dark alley.

Same, nothing wrong with an LGBT linkshell, but all you'll be doing is cloistering yourself.

...and my Tia is gay too <_< Â >_>

Maybe the Nunh is just the only straight one.

"Whoever pulls the short straw has to have sex with all these ladies."

I don't know. It's not like being in a specific linkshell means you're cutting off all contact to the outside world! It can just be a more convenient place to find people you want to find, or to just.. let loose for a little while.

On another note I should be meeting these Tias, or a Xaela please.

My thoughts exactly. Having one out of your eight linkshell slots set aside for a specific interest group is hardly seperating yourself, or that group, off from the rest of the community. Nor is it creating a 'Me vs. Them' mentality. If this was a group for Ishgardian character OOC, Au Ra players, knitting enthusiasts or anything else in the world, would this conversation even come up?

Many LGBT people donâ€™t have access to other LGBT people, community centers or support networks. Many places in the world are neither friendly nor safe for LGBT people - developed first world countries included. I've met a lot of people through other games who are that exact situation. Also, in my experiences, video games and online communities are often one the first place many trans* individuals start to explore their identity. I've had the opportunity to connect with and share my experience to those who are desperately seeking a safe place to do the same.

I'm not expecting such a Linkshell to be so heavy all the time. I'm hoping to use it to set up connections and plots with other LGBT characters. I think there's a lot of potential for fun in doing so.

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LGBT Characters and Related Groups (Balmung)

RPC has moved! These pages have been kept for historical purposes