Being Gay In Online Games

It can be hard being gay. Depending on your situations, you may have issues with work, family, friends, or the public at large. Something a lot of people don’t think about though, is the virtual worlds, like those in online gaming. I know when I first entered the new frontier myself, I had a lot of concerns of rejection and loneliness if I ‘came out’ in the game.What I found though, really surprised me…
People Are More Accepting Than You Would Think
I remember way back in the Matrix Online days, my first online gaming experience, I was very hesitant of ‘coming out’ to my other faction members. I worried about things like causing conflict drama, being called a ‘fag’ in front of everyone, or really just being harassed in general. That didn’t happen at all. (I’ve actually experienced extremely little of this in any online game I’ve played.) Actually, quite the contrary. In most cases, I’ve been embraced and admired that I’m such an open person. I even have characters that are ‘gay’ themselves. (See: role playing.)

I’ve Got A Great Guild
Allen and I aren’t in a gay-specific guild in World Of Warcraft. (Like the famous yet ill-fated Oz.) Instead, I would call Ex Cinis Cineris very gay-friendly. I know of several other gay/lesbian/bisexual members in our guild, and I would imagine they are quite happy and comfortable as well. (Though, I doubt anyone is as ‘out’ as Allen and I.) Even it’s founding and current guild leaders have always encouraged me to be myself, and never be afraid of someone harassing me as they would be promptly punted out of the guild. (This has only happened once.)

I feel tremendous joy and I am extremely great full to have so many people that I play with not only accepting, but treating me like a true friend. I am free to completely be myself, without hiding any portion of my personality or real-life experiences. To anyone out there worrying about ‘coming out’ in the game, don’t. Just be yourself, and if you find you’re not accepted in your current electronic ‘family,’ find another one that will. I promise you, we’re out there!

VERY Special Props To: Ana, Arch, Lauro, Jodi, Moons, Tahiri, and many others who have warmly, and sometimes with the strength of a bear, embraced both Allen and I!

Sometimes “Gay-Friendly” Is Better Than Just A “Gay” Guild
I just wanted to touch on this for a moment. I’ve explored strictly-gay guilds like Oz and others in the past. While it’s a bit more comforting to know everyone around you is gay, more often than not, it turns into nothing more and a hook up arena filled with all kinds of online ‘relationship’ drama. (I’d suspect that’s what happened to Oz, whose many members are actually here in Nashville with me. Just a neat fact I thought I’d stick in.) Gay-Friendly guilds, like Ex Cinis Cineris, are typically more balanced with all kinds of people. I’d definitely think twice about ever looking for a gay-specific guild again, from my personal experience.