The effort to be gender and orientation inclusive is admirable. But I felt that the execution left something to be desired.

Bet 99.99% of the post here are going to be something like this "hur hur EA trying to make its public image good hur hur I hate EA hur hur." Or something like that.

Well if a big game publisher supports homosexuality, think something like that oreos support homosexuals will happen here too?

Well I think the gaymers know the perfect place EA can shuv their transparent PR stunt.

Orks da best:
Bet 99.99% of the post here are going to be something like this "hur hur EA trying to make its public image good hur hur I hate EA hur hur." Or something like that.

Well if a big game publisher supports homosexuality, think something like that oreos support homosexuals will happen here too?

Indeed. Just because it's a PR stunt doesn't mean it can't still be the Right Thing To Do.

However, I think the way Nabisco showed their support for gay marriage was incredibly inappropriate. How dare they show us that amazing rainbow oreo and then not start selling them?

DVS BSTrD:
Well I think the gaymers know the perfect place EA can shuv their transparent PR stunt.

So much hate, and it's not even tasteful.

Actions speak louder than words, and EA is doing the right thing, in my opinion. Even if this is just a PR stunt, the backing of a major publisher is going to help the "gaymer" effort that much more, which frankly, isn't a bad thing.

Ouch, in PR and politics never speak in absolutes EA spokesmen. Though I'm glad to see EA supporting LGBT events like this.

Ympulse:

DVS BSTrD:
Well I think the gaymers know the perfect place EA can shuv their transparent PR stunt.

So much hate, and it's not even tasteful.

Actions speak louder than words, and EA is doing the right thing, in my opinion. Even if this is just a PR stunt, the backing of a major publisher is going to help the "gaymer" effort that much more, which frankly, isn't a bad thing.

If EA believes in being inclusive the same way it believes in being "innovative", I think it is.

There are a number of reasons for me not liking EA, but I ain't gonna deny that they're doing a good thing here. Maybe not for some lovely, kind reasons, but it's still a good thing. But is no-one else finding the idea of the Xbox Live team being at this just hilarious. Because it's tickling me in such a beautiful and dirty way.

Well done to EA for supporting LGBT and all that, but I ask this, but is LGBT geek culture so much different than so-called "normal" geek culture that it needs it's own Con for it? I'm pretty sure most of the people that go to Cons (I say pretty sure, I've never actually been to a big con) don't care about your sexuality, race, ethnicity etc. They go to these things to geek out. Is there any particular reason that a GaymerCon is necessary?

But like I've said well done to EA, as "PR-stunty" as some people may read it as, I believe it's a good thing.

Honestly not surprised.

They did greenlight the homosexual stuff in Mass Effect and Dragon Age after all.

As a bisexual, I only have one problem with gaymercon, as it basically is saying that homosexual and bisexual people, or gamers to be specific, are different from regular ones. There's nothing wrong with pride in who you are, and there is a time for that, but right now is not it. There is still prejudice with it, so to get the equal treatment aspect down, first we need to prove that we are normal, regular people. Gaymercon does not help with this.

Ranting aside, good on EA, for once. While it is the thought that counts most of the time, no one should deny a good act simply because the intentions weren't wholely great. So even if it is a PR stunt, it's at least a good one.

klaynexas3:
As a bisexual, I only have one problem with gaymercon, as it basically is saying that homosexual and bisexual people, or gamers to be specific, are different from regular ones. There's nothing wrong with pride in who you are, and there is a time for that, but right now is not it. There is still prejudice with it, so to get the equal treatment aspect down, first we need to prove that we are normal, regular people. Gaymercon does not help with this.

Ranting aside, good on EA, for once. While it is the thought that counts most of the time, no one should deny a good act simply because the intentions weren't wholely great. So even if it is a PR stunt, it's at least a good one.

Gaymercon is actually an all-inclusive event and even straight people are allowed to attend. It's not trying to be separatist, it's trying to be just another con with an emphasis on tolerating gays. You can mull over how effective that a convention that explicitly bases itself around this purpose is in breaking down these barriers, but it's a step in the right direction.

My respect towards EA just skyrocketed, they have little to gain from supporting what is simply a gathering of a LGBT gamers sharing enthusiasm for games that we all love so much.

Hats of EA, you guys are ok.

@ VanQQisH - you've got a good point, in a way it's splitting the gamer community by sexuality, which is technically irrelevant when being a gamer, because we come from all walks of life.

But on the other hand, it is good to remind people that being gay is ok, this is still something many haven't learned and accepted even in the 21st century.

The war against bigotry is fought on many fronts. One that I feel is often neglected is making sure there's a place for like-minded people to come together and just connect and be happy. I feel GaymerCon is trying to fill that spot.

Even if it's just a PR stunt on EA's side, it gives GaymerCon a real tool to work with to rally more support, and I'm okay with that.

Besides, I'd like to think that the majority of people at EA are decent folk, they've just got bosses who don't understand where good games come from.

VanQQisH:
We here at Gaymer con want to be accepted by all and be considered a normal part of the gaming community. So, we made our own con and not only segregate ourselves from the rest of the community but make sure everyone damn well knows we are doing it! This is the best idea ever!

I have nothing against these people and I'm well aware that the con is an inclusive event where anyone can go, regardless of their sexuality. But this still just seems like a misstep by the Gay community. Rather than making a single con for this, why didn't they just go around to regular cons and set up a booth or something? It seems like that is a far better way to spread the message to a larger amount of people.

You can go to Gaymercon if you want, it isn't exclusive, there is no segregation. You know this, why say otherwise?

As hard as it is to believe, some people are still vilified by the community for expressing their love. Shocking I know but people still get beaten just for being different. That sometimes makes it difficult for Queer* people to be themselves openly. This isn't about spreading a message, it is about holding a Queer* friendly event.

The right thing to do is the right thing to do, no matter what motivated the action, so Kudos EA.

*Is it OK for a straight guy to use the word queer? Friends don't mind me using it, but they use it themselves, plus they're my friends. I find LBGT so ungainly, it sounds like a sandwich.

Andy Chalk:

"EA not only publishes some of the best games in the world, but they're the most progressive company in the industry."

Sorry, I just felt it had to be done. In all seriousness, EA giving their support to this thing is a good thing, be it for PR or not. More power to them, I guess.
(Although, you know, the segregation maters brought up do have some validity to them... Who knows, really?)

Rocklobster99:
People are seriously falling for this again.

Whatever, this whole thing was completely retarded to begin with.

Is it really "retarded" for a company that has made gay-friendly games to back a gay-friendly con? Sure, it is a PR stunt most likely, but Bioware, one of EA's most important subsidiaries, is one of the few companies to make in-roads at including all types of sexuality in their games. You might think the con is a bad idea, but there is no doubt the organizers wanted to signal to all of its attendees that they are welcome here without stigma. You could just think of it as a gay pride parade, where people from all walks of life come to embrace each other as people, no matter their sexual orientation. Acceptance of fellow human beings is an important social cause, and if we haven't reached acceptance, there will always be room for a con that does embrace the cause of the disparaged minority. And corporate sponsors are an important part of making sure these people have a venue with the necessary logistics solved.

I'm glad to see EA and Bioware keeping some of their values consistent. After the defence of gays in Dragon Age 1/2 and Mass Effect 3, I feel like this is just an extension of what Bioware has already been championing. My BFF is gay and Mass Effect is one of his all-time favourite series.

Looks good to me!

And I'm not gay myself but I can see why people would want a more LGBT gamer orientated con. Online gaming isn't the most gay friendly environment (I'm sure you've all saw examples of homophobia/misogyny..a daily occurance when I played WoW) and we all take for granted that we as straight people will be represented and acknowledged in our culture and that isn't the case for gay people. That's why there is gay pride events. But anyways that could be a whole topic to itself..

I would totally go if I could :)

LGBT : We are like everyone else and want to be treated the same!

*makes their own game con and "LBGT geek culture"*

/facepalm

"I want to belong... by being sorted out !!!"

Yup, that's a common wish, not only shared by the LGBT community, but by pretty much everyone.
You can't approach the question of the "Why this convention ? What's the point ?" objectively, because there's no tangible objective argument justifying it, no matter how much some feisty people on this thread will try to convince otherwise.

It's all "justified" by subjectivity, a big mix of frustration of being insulted on online games for a sexual orientation (I'm guessing, based on some arguments I'm reading; and there's probably some other stuff I'd never understand personally, which is fine).
It's not a logical move, so trying to understand it like that will hurt your brain.

But it being illogical doesn't make it nonsense : Of course there's an issue, (just look a at multiplayer Call of duty game on Youtube and you'll get the picture). Is this the best way to deal with the problem though ?

As for my own opinion on the conference, I think it's dumb, because it could be integrated as a panel in already existing well-known conventions, thus informing and sensitising more people (and probably the CONCERNED people) to the issue (as it is, it's preaching to the choir).

The "fear of bigots crashing your presentation" argument is just an excuse, I'm sure the Comic con (for example) security is qualified to deal with those idiots.
And don't quote me on that, but I'm also inclined to think those panels wouldn't be rejected by conference administrative staff: rejecting a panel of this nature is bad publicity, green lighting it make them look progressive.

"Yes, but it is a tight-knit community with individual that would enjoy meeting people going through the same troubles and sharing the same passion simultaneously."

Well, yeah, that's exactly my point : The main motivation, is to provide a shiny, "my very own thing" kinda feeling, to that community. If you wanna feel like you belong and have fun, that's a good place for you (gaming cons in general are, too), but don't tell me you're trying to tackle the issue with this.

As I said, I think it's dumb, but, if I turn my brain off for a second, I also think it's okay too. Because even though it's not serving the "cause" as well as it could be, according to me, it provides a feeling of satisfaction and belonging to a community that may be craving for it.

Despite clearly being a PR thing to attain some much needed public approval, obviously it's good for anyone to show support for these people.

I'm yet to see this "progressive" side of EA that they keep talking about though. Yes, gay people have appeared in some of their games but they wern't so much included as they were forced in for the sake of being able to mention them.

Good on EA, the XBL Team and Penny Arcade for their support.

Personally, as a gamer, I`m interested in seeing if there are any specific games that get focus during the Con, from the big to the indie. Topics like what makes a good non-straight character in gaming or what would a LGBT friendly game look like seem to pop up repeatedly here on The Escapist, and if real answers to these sorts of questions are going to appear anywhere it could be at a gathering like this.

I`m also not sure (beyond the typical EA hate mongering) why this is being called out as just a blatant PR move. Is it really that hard to believe that maybe, just maybe, there are LGBT employees at EA that are behind this idea and company management has an honest interest in the cause.

Falterfire:

Orks da best:
Bet 99.99% of the post here are going to be something like this "hur hur EA trying to make its public image good hur hur I hate EA hur hur." Or something like that.

Well if a big game publisher supports homosexuality, think something like that oreos support homosexuals will happen here too?

Indeed. Just because it's a PR stunt doesn't mean it can't still be the Right Thing To Do.

However, I think the way Nabisco showed their support for gay marriage was incredibly inappropriate. How dare they show us that amazing rainbow oreo and then not start selling them?

I agree. They could charge double the normal price, and give 25% to LGBT causes.
They're making 50% more than they would on normal oreos that way, and getting good PR.

I get gay green lantern vibes from this.

"Hey here is a demographic with money"

Name still bugs the hell out of me.

Oh, wow EA must be changi-

Wait, there is a videogame related Con for especially for (about?) gays? What does their sexual preferance has to do with games? Now everything seems to need the gay version even though the only thing that will probably change is the amount of rainbow flags on the location.

I dont have anything against gays, its more against the ones that plan these things. Gays can go to the regular game conventions, right? If this was a porno convention or something having a gay convention would make sense but for games?

I have never went to a game con but is there usually hate towards the gay community or something? Maybe that would explain the need for this

VanQQisH:

What I mean by segregation is labeling themselves differently. They aren't just "gamers' like the rest of us, they want to be "gaymers." It's no different from when a girl labels herself as a "girl gamer." It's just unnecessary. The fact aside that I hate the label gamer as well albeit that's another topic entirely.
About people being vilified about being different, I don't know what it's like in America but where I live, even the most intolerant people never seemed to show any open hatred towards gays or bisexuals so it baffles me why they feel the need to hold an event like this. I've never met a LGBT person that felt like they needed support for their lifestyle choices, they are all well adjusted members of society just living out their life the same as anyone else. That's not to say that persecution for such a trivial matter doesn't exist elsewhere.
Like I said, I have no beef with the people involved or attending the con. People can do as they wish, I just believe there are far better choices available than this.

Exactly. My first thought when reading this newspiece was "screw EA, but there will be homosexual gamer convention? why?"
Like you said it would more efficient way to have a LGBT booth in geek conventions, or have a a geek part in LGBT events, or both.
But separate convention? Really? Seems just plain stupid.

P.S. What next? Convention for lactointoleran bisexual exhebrew muslim gamers who drink only mint-green tea? This sounds as good as GaymerCon.
P.P.S. Regarding hate towards homosexuals in multiplayer- multiplayer is hateful towards EVERYONE. So don't cry about Xbox360 players being hateful to women/homosexuals/negroids/mongoloids/semites/obese/christians/muslims/scientologists/your mamma. But you can cry about them being rude, impolite and full of hate.