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Hi all,
I recently published an interview with the fabulous Anna Prosser Robinson over at evilgeniuses.gg, in which she discusses women in gaming at some length. That interview may be found here: http://evilgeniuses.gg/Read/185,Get-to-Know-Anna-uNcontroLable-Prosser-Robinson/
I don't usually post on TL, but Anna's comments about the challenges women face every day in eSports and gaming culture at large were really savvy, and I thought I might post some of them here to try to get a discussion going.
Will: I recall a very mixed community reaction to the “pin-up” style photos you did for a SteelSeries promotion during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. How would you respond to criticism that you were reinforcing deeply held stereotypes about women in gaming?
Anna: I find it very distressing how easily expressions of femininity are interpreted as inappropriate. We must be very careful to recognize that simply being attractively feminine does not preclude an eSports community member’s ability to contribute. As for the photos in question, I have some skill in modeling, and I like to use that skill when it can be of use to promote eSports organizations.
It’s a little ironic that some people seemed to be offended by me wearing a full-length black body suit and posing with a headset, but not at all by the video I produced featuring men talking about how much they loved boobs. However, as far as I was able, I evaluated the comments I received, filed their worthy insights away for my growth, and took the time to re-evaluate the project. Ultimately, I deemed it worthy to stand for itself, and I hope it may have been an instrument of positivity in the end.
Will: What about the furor over your and Rachel Quirico’s wardrobes at IPL3? Same idea?
Anna: At that event, which took place in Las Vegas, she and I wore mainly cocktail dresses. Because of this, we were accused of inappropriately “stealing attention from the players.” I was told that dressing in a suit (read: more like a man) would have been a more appropriate choice. While I personally don’t mind suits, I was baffled as to why no one bothered to recognize that the female equivalent of the male host’s semi-formal dress code is, by tradition, a cocktail dress (nevermind that Rachel and I were not in charge of our wardrobe -- we wore what the event designers requested).
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Speaking of women in Starcraft, When is Lindsey Sporrer coming back? Starcraft gods, make it happen!
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On November 07 2013 08:38 Salient wrote:
Wouldn't it be better to interview a woman who is an actual professional gamer instead of just team-house mom? Maybe interview someone like QueenE instead?
I recommend you read the rest of the interview. She talks about exactly that perception and what her actual work involves.
I'd love to speak with a female progamer. If there's enough interest, I'm hoping to someday moderate a discussion between women in eSports (a player, a host, a behind the scenes type, a developer, w/e). That will have to wait a while though. I honestly don't think our community can handle that discussion yet.
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On November 07 2013 08:38 Salient wrote:
Wouldn't it be better to interview a woman who is an actual professional gamer instead of just team-house mom? Maybe interview someone like QueenE instead?
Maybe you should stop disrespecting someone trying to be part of the community?
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On November 07 2013 08:44 Thieving Magpie wrote:Show nested quote +On November 07 2013 08:38 Salient wrote:
Wouldn't it be better to interview a woman who is an actual professional gamer instead of just team-house mom? Maybe interview someone like QueenE instead? Maybe you should stop disrespecting someone trying to be part of the community?
Not trying. Is. A very well respected person who is much loved in this community.
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I'm astounded by how ignorant and immature a lot of people can be. For fuck's sake grow up and give people respect regardless of gender and shed these stupid fucking stereotypes. She's a woman with a hell of a lot of decency and men give her shit for contributing far more than they do and for better causes. Anger mode is activated right now.
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Really liked the interview. I didn't realize how well spoken she was until now since she mostly works with behind the scenes-stuff.
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Is she going to stay at the EG Lair, even though InControl is on TeamLiquid now? Or is Incontrol still staying at the EG lair?
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Nice interview! Thanks for linking.
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On November 07 2013 09:22 [CCSRAM] BaoQuan wrote:
Is she going to stay at the EG Lair, even though InControl is on TeamLiquid now? Or is Incontrol still staying at the EG lair?
Hahaha. 
Just because I'm boring as hell I'm going to assume you're not trolling and give a serious answer: The Incontrol on TL-thing was just a PR-stunt that lasted a week. It was one of the rewards for the pizza.gg-campaign earlier this year. Incontrol is still on EG.
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On November 07 2013 09:22 [CCSRAM] BaoQuan wrote:
Is she going to stay at the EG Lair, even though InControl is on TeamLiquid now? Or is Incontrol still staying at the EG lair?
That was a gag. He's back on EG now.
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On November 07 2013 08:59 Qwyn wrote:Show nested quote +On November 07 2013 08:44 Thieving Magpie wrote:On November 07 2013 08:38 Salient wrote:
Wouldn't it be better to interview a woman who is an actual professional gamer instead of just team-house mom? Maybe interview someone like QueenE instead? Maybe you should stop disrespecting someone trying to be part of the community? Not trying. Is. A very well respected person who is much loved in this community. --- I'm astounded by how ignorant and immature a lot of people can be. For fuck's sake grow up and give people respect regardless of gender and shed these stupid fucking stereotypes. She's a woman with a hell of a lot of decency and men give her shit for contributing far more than they do and for better causes. Anger mode is activated right now.
Who exactly are you referring to/flaming here?
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On November 07 2013 08:59 Qwyn wrote:Show nested quote +On November 07 2013 08:44 Thieving Magpie wrote:On November 07 2013 08:38 Salient wrote:
Wouldn't it be better to interview a woman who is an actual professional gamer instead of just team-house mom? Maybe interview someone like QueenE instead? Maybe you should stop disrespecting someone trying to be part of the community? Not trying. Is. A very well respected person who is much loved in this community. --- I'm astounded by how ignorant and immature a lot of people can be. For fuck's sake grow up and give people respect regardless of gender and shed these stupid fucking stereotypes. She's a woman with a hell of a lot of decency and men give her shit for contributing far more than they do and for better causes. Anger mode is activated right now.
Its how it always rolls when girls get involved with gaming in any way. For some reason men/boys in gaming feel the need to challenge the any woman/girl and demand they justify or prove that they are a gamer. My girlfriend runs into this all the time when we board game with a new group and I have to hold myself back every time it happens(because she is a grown ass woman and can handle herself). It is an infuriating behavior that is prevalent across all of gaming and everyone tries to justify it by saying that there are "some girls that get involved with gaming for attention." Because that is somehow justification for being a dick.
I loved the interview and I don't know why the community is so obsessed with woman's outfits and wardrobe. Pro tip for life, girls like to dress pretty and no power in the world is going to stop them, especially "Doritocracy" of SC2 fans.
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I don't really care about girls in gaming or hosting or whatever, gender is irrelevant, but saying the equivalent of a suit is a cocktail dress is just flat out dumb, the equivalent is a full dress not a miniskirt
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On November 07 2013 09:43 LongShot27 wrote:
I don't really care about girls in gaming or hosting or whatever, gender is irrelevant, but saying the equivalent of a suit is a cocktail dress is just flat out dumb, the equivalent is a full dress not a miniskirt
A cocktail dress is formal wear for women and they were in Vegas. They are not always going to dress like Hilary Clinton running for president.
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On November 07 2013 09:43 LongShot27 wrote:
I don't really care about girls in gaming or hosting or whatever, gender is irrelevant, but saying the equivalent of a suit is a cocktail dress is just flat out dumb, the equivalent is a full dress not a miniskirt
I mean a "full dress" implies a formality that would pair with a tuxedo. Women have a lot more liberty is getting away with things like skirts and cocktail dresses etc. to go along with professional wear, especially in the business world.
However, just like in the professional world, there is a sort of imaginary "decency line" tied to just how short that skirt or dress is.
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Great interview. I'm not all the way through yet but the questions are pretty interesting though the topic of the interview seems quite narrow.
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On November 07 2013 09:22 [CCSRAM] BaoQuan wrote:
Is she going to stay at the EG Lair, even though InControl is on TeamLiquid now? Or is Incontrol still staying at the EG lair?
I am pretty sure Geoff and Anna have their own place in San Francisco.
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On November 07 2013 09:43 LongShot27 wrote:
I don't really care about girls in gaming or hosting or whatever, gender is irrelevant, but saying the equivalent of a suit is a cocktail dress is just flat out dumb, the equivalent is a full dress not a miniskirt
A cocktail dress is perfectly acceptable formal wear for a woman.
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Will: What about the furor over your and Rachel Quirico’s wardrobes at IPL3? Same idea?
Anna: At that event, which took place in Las Vegas, she and I wore mainly cocktail dresses. Because of this, we were accused of inappropriately “stealing attention from the players.” I was told that dressing in a suit (read: more like a man) would have been a more appropriate choice. While I personally don’t mind suits, I was baffled as to why no one bothered to recognize that the female equivalent of the male host’s semi-formal dress code is, by tradition, a cocktail dress (nevermind that Rachel and I were not in charge of our wardrobe -- we wore what the event designers requested).
Smells like symptoms of Outgroup Derrogation
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EPT
