(06-24-2015, 02:00 PM)Graeham Wrote: Would Eorzea even have 'gay bars' though? I could understand a brothel catering to gay men but 'gay bar' feels like a term that's a bit too...modern. As for the drama, I've sort of trained myself to be wary of the LGBT community due to all the drama that seems ready to burst from beneath the surface at the slightest misunderstanding or perceived 'easy target'.
I've been harassed for playing and preferring men who look and act like men instead of conforming to the stereotypical portrayal of gay men. I've been harassed for being bisexual with people claiming that I want to sleep with everyone I meet or that it's 'just a phase'. This has happened far more often at the hands of the LGBT community itself than at the hands of anybody outside of it. I suppose in some ways the LGBT movement is its own worst enemy at times.
Roleplayers are always going to create events that they want, even if they aren't accurate to the world lore. There are many free companies and characters that deviate from the lore, but people want them, so they'll do them. People play characters and organizations based on their favorite books, movies, animes, and whatever. Even though we may not always agree, sometimes you just gotta let 'em roll with it. Would Eorzea have gay bars, probably not. Do we need them? No. If people want them? Sure.
It sucks that you've dealt with some of those issues, and I understand what you mean. I get annoyed by the common bisexual-bashing, and tend to argue with other gay people who criticize it. I also get very annoyed when gay guys start bashing lesbians or transgender folks, even if it's just in jest. People have to be called out on it.
Drama often is a problem with the gay community, but it's also a problem with roleplay communities, and that's for a number of reasons that I'm not enough of a psychologist to get into. I think it's important for members of communities to keep each other in line, and learn to see behavior that leads up to conflict, even if you're not the party being offended.
People are complex, and groups are even more complex. I would prefer to see a loose network of LGBT individuals, rather than some organized coalition, the same way I'd also like a loose network of general roleplayers, or chocobo racers, or fishing buddies, or whatever.