Microsoft Confirms "Gaywood" Is An Offensive Surname, Mr. Gaywood Responds
Microsoft has confirmed to Richard that his name is, in fact, offensively sexual and will not be reinstated as his gamertag. (Kotaku posted their rationale, if you care to read it.) We've got Mr. Gaywood's response, inside.
Richard says:
I have swapped several emails with Stephen Toulouse, the Microsoft staffer who seems to be responsible for the press briefings on this (he was the one who gave the followup story to Kotaku). Firstly, he confirmed my enforced change was /not/ because my tag is the same as my name and /was/ because my tag is deemed to be offensive. I've sent him the following as an email querying a few more details.
Ah, good. Thank you for clearing that up. I also noticed last night that I cannot enter my last name in the Real Name field of my Xbox profile, although I can put it in the Bio section -- does it become less offensive a few inches further down the screen? I tried Heterowood and Homowood too (both were barred) but Straightwood was allowed, oddly. Even the words "Unix" and "Linux" seem to be barred from the Real Name field, which I find rather bizarre. I also note that this was a system generated response, and not the result of a complaint about me.
So, what about the international issues? Wanker is quite a common surname in Germany, and is very rude to British people but (I understand) doesn't have as strong a connotation to the Americans -- I'm pretty sure I've heard it on the Simpsons. Would that be allowed? What about swear words in foreign languages, how do you handle that case?
Basically, because of the international issue I think Microsoft haven't thought this through. I am conducting a bit of investigative journalism along those lines: getting two friends to register a gamertag that is outrageously obscene but in an obscure-ish language, then getting someone else to file a complaint about it. Want to bet the complaint will be ignored? I think MS are adopting a US-centric point of view here and I don't think that is acceptable for an international service like Live. If you're going to start censoring words you have to do it in all the languages active on Live.
Ball's in your court, Microsoft.
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And M$ wonders why they are having such a tough time cracking non-North American borders. The fact that we live in such an uptight and intolerant world is truly sad.
I think Microsoft is afraid of pissing off the southern Christ-Fascists.
How many complaints does it take to get a name banned? I mean, if I find "John Smith" offensive and get a few of my friends to email Microsoft, will they also ban that as a gamertag?
I find it funny that I still see hordes of people with penises drawn from ascii art as their clan names, but a birth name is somehow more off-putting.
I find Toulouse offensive. Can we get him banned, please?
To continue while I am rolling I find it interesting that it can be difficult to log onto a game without hearing ethnic slurs, misogynistic tirades, buckets of profanity, homophobic blasts, etc. Once again though a birth name is more offensive. Seems like VERY selective prosecution.
Yet another reason this faggot cares not about owning an X-Box 360.
I find Microsoft offensive. They should change their name.
@SuffolkHouse: Can we please stop progogating the stupid idea that every christian is some sort of rebublican gun toting goerge bush loving red neck. Its fucking redicules. The bible really supports none of the shit they talk about like God hating gays and all the bull shit I dont want to make a huge flame war but seriously its getting out of hand here.
You have to understand why they ban certain names and why your name is banned (please tell me you understand). It's not a big deal. It's an online name. Make something up (in whatever language you choose).
This just in the name "John" is not available!!! OMG RUN HIDE! SPAM CONSUMERIST!!!!
since when did gay become a "bad" word again, where is the diversity?
I guess my cousin from the fields of England will be in for a big surprise when he tries to log in to Xbox Live next time. Ben Dover, my cousin, I am with you in spirit! --sorry tasteless joke, but out of all the people in the world someone must have that name.
i find microsoft (tiny flacid) offensive also
@KIbbit: It's totally ridiculous, in my opinion. It was talked about A LOT in this thread: [consumerist.com]
@Deadeyereborn: Because the fundamentalist crazies are very vocal, media savvy and respond to political pandering. They impact elections, get books banned and are a pain in everyone's ass (ooooh homosex reference, I burn in hell).
The truly faithful that share opinions like yours are sadly generaly quietly going about their lives, doing good works instead of ramming an agenda down other's throats and generally do not speak up to criticize or censure the fundies.
Too bad Stephen's first name isn't Nestlé. MMMmmm cookies.
Evidently, according to a blog I read and that must be true, Bomboclaat means something horrible in Haiti.
The blogger found out when the name was suggested for thier dog and they used it.
the Haitian gardners said what a cute dog what is his name and immediatly quit.
Try that on XBL
@SkokieGuy: Honestly if you really read what the bible say not the old testament laws (totally different subject from what applys now) God says that he wants everyone to be saved it makes no reservations about what you've done honestly the whole "sin an go to hell" thing is pretty stupid considering that the word translated "hell" just means grave. People seem to forget that the bible wasnt written in english. That being said I agree the crazies are really just giving real christians a bad name Case in point Good ol' GWB
From the Urban Dictionary:
BOMBOCLAAT
"Common Jamaican expletive" that is used in either extremes of excitment or sadness or vexation at a person or just as an expression.
1. Why the bomboclaat you don't leave me alone?
2. Bomboclaat! what a girl look sweet!
3. I can't believe they actually did it to bomboclaat.
If Dick Gaywood gets banned Im pretty sure that the lady at my company with the surname Cockaday doesnt stand a chance.
@Deadeyereborn: So if truly faithful wanted to have a huge impact in the world, instead of going along with the loud and vocal fundie minority, what about a 'crusade' to silence the extremists and win them back to true biblical teachings (leaving out the stoning adulterers, sacrificing first borns and a few other things)?
Frankly, controlling religious extremism should we hasten world peace.
Are there already such organizations in the religious community that have any significance?
@SuffolkHouse: It's an online game service. They are worried about pissing off 12-year old brats. Also, Christ-Fascists? Really? That's honestly as immature and ignorant as the people who complained about the name Gaywood.
Is Piglatin considered an obscure language? Cause I'd really like to get Itheadshay as my gamertag.
@SkokieGuy: They did that once it was called "the way" dont ask anyone about it, it got screwed up pretty bad (it gets called a cult now) but the guy who ran it before it tanked was an amazing man. The reason we dont rebel and do all that stuff is because the profit is almost negligable (with all the infighting argueing and pretty much chaos that would result) the best thing we can do is teach as many people as we can the truth as far as we know it. It says in the bible we werent called here to change the word and that its going to get worse and worse the best I can do is to get as many people saved as I can.
@dry-roasted-peanuts: And has been said many times in related posts, who gives a damn what conservatives, whiny parents, religous fundies or anyone else thinks.
If the nickname of a player is capable of creating offense, that person is far too delicate to be playing the xbox games.
Let's chainsaw off the prostitute's leg, then use it to beat her to death. Should I machine guy or drive my car into the cops......damn! I just noticed another player's screen name. I am SOOO offended. Microsoft, I'm going to sue because you permitted me to be offended.
God bless the Urban Dictionary
This is slowly starting to remind me of that one episode of "The Man Show" where Jimmy Kimmel made fun of someone's name, only to shut up later when that same person told him that he had the same name as his father, who was a WWII vet.
Oh boy was that awkward throughout the show.
@Deadeyereborn: We're totally hijacking this thread and need to stop, but....
You talk about not much profit. Isn't profit part of the reason the Church is so corrupt? Wouldn't true biblical faith shun all the wealth and power and tax-free shenanigans of most organized religion? Isn't profit the real reason the fundies and politicians are in bed together?
Since the word 'gay' is not generally considered offensive to homosexuals, then its not the word at issue - its the definition. If 'gay' is offensive it must be because Microsoft considers Gays offensive. Or the concept of being Gay.
Booo Microsoft!
@SkokieGuy: Noooooooo nooo I dont mean profit in terms of money I mean profit as in gain. Like by the time you set everything up and start this crusade the infighting and chaos would make it not worth the trouble. Also yeah deffinatly wealth and power and greed have nothing to do with a real beliver the bible teaches that God can be our supplier not collection plate or something. So yeah we should stop hijacking this thread if you want to keep talking about it my AIM is "deadeyereborn" and my email is "mikeysnowboard@aol.com" Id be glad to try to answer most questions you might have.
"We want the Xbox LIVE community to have the freedom to express themselves, but we also have a responsibility to create an inclusive, safe environment," said Microsoft's Stephen Toulouse.
This is beyond bullshit. I'm not sure how you create an inclusive, safe environment by excluding people because their names -which obviously aren't meant to be offensive in the least- might offend somebody's delicate sensibilities, oh no! Or how banning the use of the words Linux & Unix work towards that end. Or how they can say this with a straight face while appearing to turn a blind eye to the blatant nastiness that goes on over voice chat. Or while children are obviously playing games like GTA IV.
There have been times while I've seriously considered purchasing a 360 to go alongside my PS3, but to date I've failed to do it, and with each new story I hear about the Xbox, I have to say I'm glad.
It's Microsofts party and they can invite who they want. I'm sorry this guys name is considered offensive by some, and that he can't use his real name as a gamertag. But it's not going to kill the guy to choose a different gamertag.
But...good lord, Dick Gaywood? Is Hugh Jass next?
Didn't Conan O'Brien make up a word as a curse, only to have it be used by rappers to describe wealth?
Oh dear god what are we, six? It's one thing to protect the sensitivities of others but when the man presents evidence that Gaywood is in fact his real name, it's Microsoft's actions I find to be far more offensive. Here is Microsoft trying to make the poor man feel ashamed of his own name.
Gaywood. A name I am sure his father, and his father before him were proud of. A name his mother was proud to take it as her own (assuming she changed her name). A name that has been passed down and received for generations suddenly isn't good enough for Microsoft. Well please excuse the Gaywood's for not changing their name years ago to something more palatable. Poor great, great, great, great, great granddaddy Gaywood. He must be rolling over in his grave at the very idea that a "Gaywood" isn't welcome but "Blackie" would be.
All this public humiliation Micrsoft caused poor Gaywood could send him into therapy for years to cope with his emotional distress.
What about people named Laycock? I've seen quite a few people with that name.
One of my friends is (first name / woman) named Gay. We frequently get dirty looks in public when correctly using her name conversationally in public.
I think we should conduct an experiment. Someone say "ThePieMan Inc" is offensive. I'm usually playing Call of Duty.
In fact, everyone that has an XBOX live account, report it as offensive. I want to see what it takes.
And yes, that's my real gamer tag.
Unix and Linux are not allowed because they are brand names that are clearly used for just brands. Alot of company or product names cant be used.
@SkokieGuy: People give you dirty looks at the mere mention of the word, "gay"?! The PC Police are like a traveling circus. They sure get around don't they.
I'd like to see Harry Johnson start an account.
Or (and this is no lie) my friend Mike Horny.
@Lambasted: This wasn't public until Dick brought it up with every blog on the intertubes.
@unravel: How do you propose they police voice chat? That's a job better left to the parent that should be there listening to it. You don't like the chat, mute the player. Too big an issue, turn voice chat off completely. You can ignore voice chat, you can't ignore gamertags.
This isn't particularly MS thinking "gay" is a bad word. MS considers it inappropriate for its customers to see these names, so really its a reflection of the times, not the MS mindset since they get outside people to check these names. Also, its in MS's TOS that they can pretty much do whatever they want, so people should just get over it really. I hate to sound like a MS fanboy, but come on, this is really a non-issue.
Was the word choice "balls" in the context of "Gaywood" intentional?