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So yeah it's late here in the U.K. but for a while now I've been thinking about posting about this and I think in the midst of a lot of negativity that gets thrown around here sometimes that it may be refreshing to throw some optimism into that. I'm optimistic about our community (TL.NET/Wider SC2 community) because of the maturity that I've seen grow over the last 2 years and this I feel can principally be seen through two examples.
Firstly the main one for me is the way hat Scarlett who is MtF transsexual has been catapulted into pro gaming and the way that she (so far) has been embraced, welcomed and recognised for her skill and personality that she brings to the game (not to mention the awesome underdog narrative that underlies all of this). It just made me so happy seeing how this happened and how the community was affirmative and welcoming and only a few trolls raised their ugly heads and were quickly rebuked.
Secondly there was the "Gay Starcraft players" thread that has taken off here at TL.Net which again is so exciting to me because I believe it again shows how welcoming and affirming our community is.
I think we should appreciate how good a thing it is that we have going here in this community that we have such an environment and such a scene where all can succeed and all can be welcomed regardless of sexuality, race, religion, class etc...
Some may take this for granted but I would challenge those people not to because really in "real life" there are many much older, larger, more powerful and influential communities, institutions, groups and voices that are not as affirming, welcoming and yes I dare say loving as this community currently is and has the potential to be.
I think that's the key word for me, we have great potential here and we each of us need to continue to strive to better this community and become more connected to one another and more welcoming to all who may be playing with us.
I'm not gay nor am I transsexual and some may find it strange that both of these examples focus on issues of sexuality but I think in our current day that how a community reacts to sexual diversity is a pretty good indicator as to how it's doing as a whole because sexuality is the current flashpoint in terms of social progression and debate.
Sorry this post isn't as well ordered or argued as it should be but I hope folks get the drift of what I'm saying and I thank you for reading.
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What is this first world obsession with gays and trangenders about any way ? Seems everywhere I look on this site internet now there is something about these issues.
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On July 10 2012 11:14 SarR wrote:
What is this first world obsession with gays and trangenders about any way ? Seems everywhere I look on this site internet now there is something about these issues.
I'd say part of the obsession is that in modern times we're only now beginning to transition from it being something nobody talked about, or dismissed/demonised into something that is accepted and mainstream (and it's not there yet either). I don't think it's an obsession, it's just what happens when a society changes its perception in a wider context. And IMO it's pretty incredible that an internet community can be so accepting in comparison to the rest of the internet community. Especially one based around video games, for some reason that surprises me. 
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On July 10 2012 12:27 DRTnOOber wrote:Show nested quote +On July 10 2012 11:14 SarR wrote:
What is this first world obsession with gays and trangenders about any way ? Seems everywhere I look on this site internet now there is something about these issues. I'd say part of the obsession is that in modern times we're only now beginning to transition from it being something nobody talked about, or dismissed/demonised into something that is accepted and mainstream (and it's not there yet either). I don't think it's an obsession, it's just what happens when a society changes its perception in a wider context. And IMO it's pretty incredible that an internet community can be so accepting in comparison to the rest of the internet community. Especially one based around video games, for some reason that surprises me.
Part of the community anyway. It's not one entity with one opinion. Personally I don't really care what turns people on or who they want to be, but I'd be more impressed if this weren't special and needed shoulder patting tbh. Because frankly it's not really relevant to what we're supposed to be about at all, is it? We're all people, we're here about a game.
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On July 10 2012 12:54 schimmetje wrote:Show nested quote +On July 10 2012 12:27 DRTnOOber wrote:On July 10 2012 11:14 SarR wrote:
What is this first world obsession with gays and trangenders about any way ? Seems everywhere I look on this site internet now there is something about these issues. I'd say part of the obsession is that in modern times we're only now beginning to transition from it being something nobody talked about, or dismissed/demonised into something that is accepted and mainstream (and it's not there yet either). I don't think it's an obsession, it's just what happens when a society changes its perception in a wider context. And IMO it's pretty incredible that an internet community can be so accepting in comparison to the rest of the internet community. Especially one based around video games, for some reason that surprises me. Part of the community anyway. It's not one entity with one opinion. Personally I don't really care what turns people on or who they want to be, but I'd be more impressed if this weren't special and needed shoulder patting tbh. Because frankly it's not really relevant to what we're supposed to be about at all, is it? We're all people, we're here about a game.
The best case scenario would indeed be if it weren't special or notable. It's sad that it is, but frankly, with so many backwards thinking countries and people around the world, it's extremely notable that this manages to be a progressive community.
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On July 10 2012 13:00 Sherlock-Canada wrote:Show nested quote +On July 10 2012 12:54 schimmetje wrote:On July 10 2012 12:27 DRTnOOber wrote:On July 10 2012 11:14 SarR wrote:
What is this first world obsession with gays and trangenders about any way ? Seems everywhere I look on this site internet now there is something about these issues. I'd say part of the obsession is that in modern times we're only now beginning to transition from it being something nobody talked about, or dismissed/demonised into something that is accepted and mainstream (and it's not there yet either). I don't think it's an obsession, it's just what happens when a society changes its perception in a wider context. And IMO it's pretty incredible that an internet community can be so accepting in comparison to the rest of the internet community. Especially one based around video games, for some reason that surprises me. Part of the community anyway. It's not one entity with one opinion. Personally I don't really care what turns people on or who they want to be, but I'd be more impressed if this weren't special and needed shoulder patting tbh. Because frankly it's not really relevant to what we're supposed to be about at all, is it? We're all people, we're here about a game. The best case scenario would indeed be if it weren't special or notable. It's sad that it is, but frankly, with so many backwards thinking countries and people around the world, it's extremely notable that this manages to be a progressive community.
Well you can feel that way of course. I'm just more used to such things being accepted I guess, so it's less notable for me. And let's be honest, it goes the other way as well, at least part of Scarlett's popularity stems from this, I wonder if she likes or dislikes that. I'd wager the latter.
That said, you should probably count your blessings and as such I suppose we could put this in the plus column. One down, plenty more to go 
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In an ideal world this would be normal but as things are its not and therefore it's worth a mention I think.
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On July 10 2012 13:18 schimmetje wrote:Show nested quote +On July 10 2012 13:00 Sherlock-Canada wrote:On July 10 2012 12:54 schimmetje wrote:On July 10 2012 12:27 DRTnOOber wrote:On July 10 2012 11:14 SarR wrote:
What is this first world obsession with gays and trangenders about any way ? Seems everywhere I look on this site internet now there is something about these issues. I'd say part of the obsession is that in modern times we're only now beginning to transition from it being something nobody talked about, or dismissed/demonised into something that is accepted and mainstream (and it's not there yet either). I don't think it's an obsession, it's just what happens when a society changes its perception in a wider context. And IMO it's pretty incredible that an internet community can be so accepting in comparison to the rest of the internet community. Especially one based around video games, for some reason that surprises me. Part of the community anyway. It's not one entity with one opinion. Personally I don't really care what turns people on or who they want to be, but I'd be more impressed if this weren't special and needed shoulder patting tbh. Because frankly it's not really relevant to what we're supposed to be about at all, is it? We're all people, we're here about a game. The best case scenario would indeed be if it weren't special or notable. It's sad that it is, but frankly, with so many backwards thinking countries and people around the world, it's extremely notable that this manages to be a progressive community. Well you can feel that way of course. I'm just more used to such things being accepted I guess, so it's less notable for me. And let's be honest, it goes the other way as well, at least part of Scarlett's popularity stems from this, I wonder if she likes or dislikes that. I'd wager the latter. That said, you should probably count your blessings and as such I suppose we could put this in the plus column. One down, plenty more to go
I've been to The Netherlands, it's a very forward thinking place! You're lucky in that respect. Even in New Zealand which is supposed to be forward thinking it's really easy to find homophobia - in fact homophobia is, imo, still the mainstream.
(As an aside; I loved my time there. I spent 7 weeks on Terschellings Island taking part in Oerol Festival, the big outdoor theatre festival there... was the best 7 weeks of my life)
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This community is actually very intelligent and diverse; it's my one stop discussion board for just about everything. Sometimes though I feel we're a little too obsessed with this weird game called "Star Craft" or "Starcraft" or something about crafts and stars. We could use less of that, or at least a reminder that there are bigger and more important things in the world.
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On July 10 2012 12:27 DRTnOOber wrote: And IMO it's pretty incredible that an internet community can be so accepting in comparison to the rest of the internet community. Especially one based around video games, for some reason that surprises me.
Actually, it isn't surprising. TL.Net has the strictest moderation policy I've ever seen on any internet site, I shit you not! What happens is that it creates the impression that the community on the whole is very accepting when in reality a lot of dissenters are being or have been filter out by bans, permanent or otherwise. It would also mean that alot of the remaining members here would not risk moderator action against them by voicing opinions that could easily be misconstrued as negative and banworthy. The net result of this is that we see mainly politically correct opinions which I believe is the point of such strict moderation. Controvertial opinions are switfly silenced. This is what I have observed in my time here. I'm not saying its right or wrong. The owners reserve the right to run the forums in any way they see fit. There is nothing wrong with wanting to put on a nice face
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EPT
