Intolerance

[SawyerAshfire]

Intolerance: noun; in-tol-er-uh ns

Definition: a lack of toleration; unwillingness or refusal to tolerate or respect contrary opinions or beliefs, persons of different races or backgrounds, etc

It saddens me that there has been a severe lack of tolerance within the Solstice Community as of late and I really wish I knew what to do to improve this. I've been hearing many stories of people being harassed or ridiculed for their beliefs and especially their sexuality and had many of my friends approach me asking for help.

Sexual preference is obviously a touchy subject for many people but what many need to remember is that everyone is entitled to their opinion though some opinions are better left unannounced because they are either presented in an incredibly rude fashion or may be straight up cruel. I have sat in PvP and witnessed these occasions. One instance was when a friend of mine was told they were 'disgusting and that they didn't deserve a life' because they were gay. This is what is called intolerance and even homophobia. Another friend of mine was told 'they were inferior because they were gay.' This is a blatant example of hatred and unacceptable behavior. Yes these instances have been submitted to Outspark Staff, but I believe that a lack of knowledge makes situations like this harder to cope with or approach.

As stated before, this topic may be taboo, but it is a topic that I believe needs to be touched on since we as a community interact with each other on a daily basis and need to respect everyone for who they are. It doesn't matter what society says, being gay or straight is not a choice. Its' how you are born and many scientific studies have proven increments of this through hormonal and brain patterns.

Beyond that, it's my hope that a subject like this can be maturely discussed or handled. Everyone is entitled to their opinions but if you don't have anything nice to say, just don't say anything at all. There is no law in this game that says you have to talk to people that you don't like, however by playing this game and being a part of this community there is a general and semi-spoken agreement that you are to respect your fellow players and treat them as you would like to be treated.

Please solstice players, don't bring intolerance to this community.

[techno-viking]

Sexual preference is obviously a touchy subject for many people but what many need to remember is that everyone is entitled to their opinion though some opinions are better left unannounced because they are either presented in an incredibly rude fashion or may be straight up cruel. I have sat in PvP and witnessed these occasions. One instance was when a friend of mine was told they were 'disgusting and that they didn't deserve a life' because they were gay. This is what is called intolerance and even homophobia. Another friend of mine was told 'they were inferior because they were gay.' This is a blatant example of hatred and unacceptable behavior. Yes these instances have been submitted to Outspark Staff, but I believe that a lack of knowledge makes situations like this harder to cope with or approach.

Anyone saying things like that should be banned permenantly.
As for people are entitled to their opinions, i don't think they should be, as it is a criminal offence in most westernised countries to make homosexual comments towards people. imo homophobia is as bad as racism and should be treated the same way...with an iron fist.

[SawyerAshfire]

Anyone saying things like that should be banned permenantly.
As for people are entitled to their opinions, i don't think they should be, as it is a criminal offence in most westernised countries to make homosexual comments towards people. imo homophobia is as bad as racism and should be treated the same way...with an iron fist.

Personally I agree and have very strong feelings about homophobia and its effects on people, but for the sake of keeping things civil I choose to remain neutral. Though I COMPLETELY agree with you.

[piano-island]

Anyone saying things like that should be banned permenantly.
As for people are entitled to their opinions, i don't think they should be, as it is a criminal offence in most westernised countries to make homosexual comments towards people. imo homophobia is as bad as racism and should be treated the same way...with an iron fist.

If no one had an opinion, then no one would be unique or individual. So unless you want us all walking around doing the exact same thing day in and day out, people should be entitled to their oppinions, no matter how extreme they may be.

I hope you mean non american countries when you say westernized since people say all the lovely derrogatory terms associated with homosexuality in america. Not only in private, but in the media as well.

Homophobia isnt as bad as racism, homosexuals arent being hung from trees, hosed down, forced into concentration camps, deported, or massacared in the streets. People just call them bad names, point, and laugh. Its mean, but it isnt on the level of hate of racism.

[johnbunny]

.....................SO you're telling me that homosexuals haven't endured hate crimes such as physical abuse and even HOMOCIDE? You have GOT to be kidding. "Intolerance" leads to ALL acts that is racist. Racism is not in a branch of its own.

W O W.........

[Thompsonn]

Homophobia isnt as bad as racism, homosexuals arent being hung from trees, hosed down, forced into concentration camps, deported, or massacared in the streets. People just call them bad names, point, and laugh. Its mean, but it isnt on the level of hate of racism.


World War II, homosexuals were caught and forced into concentration camps

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_2

[comp4ssion]

Homophobia isnt as bad as racism, homosexuals arent being hung from trees, hosed down, forced into concentration camps, deported, or massacared in the streets. People just call them bad names, point, and laugh. Its mean, but it isnt on the level of hate of racism.

Not true...comb through some of the media and you'll see no shortage of reports to the contrary.

[murder168]

Tommy ish cool :o

[ARNOTA]

If no one had an opinion, then no one would be unique or individual. So unless you want us all walking around doing the exact same thing day in and day out, people should be entitled to their oppinions, no matter how extreme they may be.

I hope you mean non american countries when you say westernized since people say all the lovely derrogatory terms associated with homosexuality in america. Not only in private, but in the media as well.

Homophobia isnt as bad as racism, homosexuals arent being hung from trees, hosed down, forced into concentration camps, deported, or massacared in the streets. People just call them bad names, point, and laugh. Its mean, but it isnt on the level of hate of racism.

I think you need to do some research b4 you come up in hear and make comment like that about how you say its not like racism. I mean in WW2 (i don't like word homosexual, so i will use gay.) Gay. people were also put into the concentration camps. And as for massacred in the streets i know of several times people have been beat down in streets or even killed. Even instances in some countries where people as young as 16 have been hanged for being gay. And i would also i like to say that for the most part Europe is also very friendly in terms of these issues.

[CM_JungleCurry]

Harassment due to race, sexual orientation, religion or gender has no place in our community. Also per the Terms of Service:

You may not use any unlawful, threatening, abusive, obscene, harmful, defamatory, vulgar, harassing, hateful, racially, ethnically or otherwise objectionable language toward any other player, in any language as deemed inappropriate by support personnel.

If you see any remarks that fall under those, report it to support@outspark.com and we will take proper action.

[comp4ssion]

I will append my previous post to include this (it is mostly directed towards those who are verbally abusive in fashions akin to those cited above by Sawyer):

You're entitled to your opinion, and as closed-minded as things such as racism and homophobia are, I will still acknowledge your right to your opinion. You can think as poorly of anyone else as you care to. Be my guest. I will even go so far as to also respect your right to free speech...but with the privilege of free speech comes your INNATE RESPONSIBILITY to couch your opinion in as minimally offensive a fashion as possible. It's acceptable to tell someone that you don't approve of them or don't like them because of who or what they are; that's just a statement of opinion. But verbal abuse for its own sake is definitely crossing the line, and it is to those of you who would choose to embark on the latter to whom I formally issue this warning:

IF, on the rare off-chance I'm inside PvP....and IF I see forms of harassment akin to the ones mentioned above....I WILL KOS you before reporting you to Outspark Staff for harassment. I don't care how many potions I need to do it, how long it takes me, or how long my party has to wait for me to return to them while I'm killing you. You earned it.

And IF, on the rare off-chance that someone is too high-level for me to KOS, I WILL take the time and money out of my own funds to hire someone to do it for me.

I don't care who you are, how long you've been playing, what level you are, or who your friends are. None of these things make you entitled to berate another player on the basis of who or what they are.

Thank you and good day.

[ARNOTA]

thanks JungleCurry i know some people been wondering how you report this, i know i have been asked couple times, hopefully this will help out the people that are not quiet sure where to go and who to talk to.

[murder168]

Cayden ish cool :o
Dont see why people are so mean >.>

[piano-island]

haha forgot about the rest of the holocaust victims, sure there have been other hate crimes too.

My point is that homophobia doesnt equal racism, and will never equal it.
at least you can hide your homosexuality too.

Ive been trying to avoid the comparison to blacks, but whatever their history is something im well versed in (any american should be, its practically shoved into our faces during our schooling)

Gays were not: Enslaved, Segregated, Denied Civil rights, Counted as 3/5ths of a person, treated like animals, having laws made against them that were unjust.

something japanese: Gays were not sent back to whever they came from just because they were gay. They werent stuck into internment camps just because they were gay.

do armies of straight people run into the houses of homosexuals and pillage, murder, and **** any females(idk lesbians/adoptive daughter) there?

I could go on for a while, and maybe begin to research this argument (who knows i may have to debate this somewhere else) but I think everyone can assume that throughout the course of history racism was always worse than homosexuality.

just to clear things up, im pretty tolerant, i just hate when people make un even comparisons like homophobia=racism.

[comp4ssion]

haha forgot about the rest of the holocaust victims, sure there have been other hate crimes too.

My point is that homophobia doesnt equal racism, and will never equal it.
at least you can hide your homosexuality too.

Ive been trying to avoid the comparison to blacks, but whatever their history is something im well versed in (any american should be, its practically shoved into our faces during our schooling)

Gays were not: Enslaved, Segregated, Denied Civil rights, Counted as 3/5ths of a person, treated like animals, having laws made against them that were unjust.

something japanese: Gays were not sent back to whever they came from just because they were gay. They werent stuck into internment camps just because they were gay.

do armies of straight people run into the houses of homosexuals and pillage, murder, and **** any females(idk lesbians/adoptive daughter) there?

I could go on for a while, and maybe begin to research this argument (who knows i may have to debate this somewhere else) but I think everyone can assume that throughout the course of history racism was always worse than homosexuality.

just to clear things up, im pretty tolerant, i just hate when people make un even comparisons like homophobia=racism.

Regardless, this lack of tolerance is the underscored principle of this thread. And while homophobia may arguably not be as pandemic a problem as racism, both affect communities equally in the modern era. The long and skinny of it is that this sort of intolerance is unacceptable, and we as a community need to knuckle down and fight against it.

[CM_JungleCurry]

Any kind of intolerance, regardless of whether it is racism or sexual orientation is equally bad and will not be tolerated. Everybody can have their own opinions, but if you have different opinions of certain things, that does not give you the right to berate other people for it.

[ARNOTA]

haha forgot about the rest of the holocaust victims, sure there have been other hate crimes too.

My point is that homophobia doesnt equal racism, and will never equal it.
at least you can hide your homosexuality too.

Ive been trying to avoid the comparison to blacks, but whatever their history is something im well versed in (any american should be, its practically shoved into our faces during our schooling)

Gays were not: Enslaved, Segregated, Denied Civil rights, Counted as 3/5ths of a person, treated like animals, having laws made against them that were unjust.

something japanese: Gays were not sent back to whever they came from just because they were gay. They werent stuck into internment camps just because they were gay.

do armies of straight people run into the houses of homosexuals and pillage, murder, and **** any females(idk lesbians/adoptive daughter) there?

I could go on for a while, and maybe begin to research this argument (who knows i may have to debate this somewhere else) but I think everyone can assume that throughout the course of history racism was always worse than homosexuality.

just to clear things up, im pretty tolerant, i just hate when people make un even comparisons like homophobia=racism.


Pointing out that they are denied civil rights and do have unjust laws made against them and i would say while they are not counted as 3/5 of a person they are sometimes not treated like person either. So could you pls get off your i think racism is worse and grow up and realize they are both problems!

[ck191049]

haha forgot about the rest of the holocaust victims, sure there have been other hate crimes too.

My point is that homophobia doesnt equal racism, and will never equal it.
at least you can hide your homosexuality too.

Ive been trying to avoid the comparison to blacks, but whatever their history is something im well versed in (any american should be, its practically shoved into our faces during our schooling)

Gays were not: Enslaved, Segregated, Denied Civil rights, Counted as 3/5ths of a person, treated like animals, having laws made against them that were unjust.

something japanese: Gays were not sent back to whever they came from just because they were gay. They werent stuck into internment camps just because they were gay.

do armies of straight people run into the houses of homosexuals and pillage, murder, and **** any females(idk lesbians/adoptive daughter) there?

I could go on for a while, and maybe begin to research this argument (who knows i may have to debate this somewhere else) but I think everyone can assume that throughout the course of history racism was always worse than homosexuality.

just to clear things up, im pretty tolerant, i just hate when people make un even comparisons like homophobia=racism.

Hi, I'm getting the feeling that you're pretty frustrated over people trying to equate homophobia to racism. But I find little point to even debating that specific issue. Let me try to clarify my reasoning.

Recently in my American History of Ethnic Minorities course, that I have been taking at College, we came across a similar discussion. Except that this debate that we had in class revolved around how some individuals felt that African Americans were treated more unfairly over the course of history than others, while there were individuals who believed that Native Americans were treated more unfairly and then there were others who believed that Asians were treated more unfairly. It ended up developing into a pretty ugly debate until my teacher settled the class down by saying this quote, which i then copied down:

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.

The point he was trying to get at, which i believe, is that such debates are frivolous. We are at a point in history where all minority groups (and yes homosexuals are considered a minority group as are many other non-racial groups), are being threatened in the form of prejudice. The last thing that we should do is debate about who has had it harder, or who has suffered the worst injustice. Instead such minority groups should be working together to help one another, i shall give this example:

In the recent no on prop 8 debates in the state of california (noonprop8.com for those who don't know what im talkign about), where injustices were placed upon homosexual rights, do you know the first set of groups that came to their aid? The Asian Pacific American Legal Center, Mexican American Defense and Legal Education Fund, as well as other different minority groups. These groups understand that hate itself regardless of what group it targets, is an equal threat to ALL groups.

To debate that one group suffers more over another group is in itself a statement of inequality. What is right in this situation is justice and equality for everyone, that everyone is created equal, as is the foundation of many countries, the one coming to my mind being the United States.

I'm glad that the creators of outspark acknowledge the importance of protecting the rights of their players. I have sent reports before of SOS intolerance issues and I can say that Outspark Support does NOT take these issues lightly. They respond to each matter timely and efficiently regardless of what group or individual it targets.

[kazuya-str]

I don't think this topic was created to debate about which is is worst or if one equals another or whatnot.
Anyway, I personally think it's sad that such talk was/is going around in SoS.
It should be a fun society in my opinion.
Harassment in any form should not be ignored.

[SawyerAshfire]

haha forgot about the rest of the holocaust victims, sure there have been other hate crimes too.

My point is that homophobia doesnt equal racism, and will never equal it.
at least you can hide your homosexuality too.

Ive been trying to avoid the comparison to blacks, but whatever their history is something im well versed in (any american should be, its practically shoved into our faces during our schooling)

Gays were not: Enslaved, Segregated, Denied Civil rights, Counted as 3/5ths of a person, treated like animals, having laws made against them that were unjust.

something japanese: Gays were not sent back to whever they came from just because they were gay. They werent stuck into internment camps just because they were gay.

do armies of straight people run into the houses of homosexuals and pillage, murder, and **** any females(idk lesbians/adoptive daughter) there?

I could go on for a while, and maybe begin to research this argument (who knows i may have to debate this somewhere else) but I think everyone can assume that throughout the course of history racism was always worse than homosexuality.

just to clear things up, im pretty tolerant, i just hate when people make un even comparisons like homophobia=racism.

I think that the defintion that I gave was the wrong one to use, so blame me for the lack of understanding. It is my belief however that racism and homosexuality are on the same levels in terms of their severity and their vicious histories. Something I would like to point out however for the sake of all things anthropological, there is no such thing as race. When it comes to human variation there are more differences between individuals in one region or society than there are between different ones. We are all ONE race, the human race, and any variation is miniscule and on a genetic scale.

Putting that asside. Its impossible NOT to make comparisons between racism and homophobia. Racism is the intolerance of those of different races and homophobia is the fear and intolerance of those who are homosexual. I'm not exactly sure how anyone can suggest that homosexualty has not 'Segregated, Denied Civil rights, Counted as 3/5ths of a person, treated like animals, having laws made against them that were unjust.' The gay community is denied civil rights every day when they are not allowed to marry and in a social sense especially in America they ARE counted as 3/5th of a person. As for not being treated like animals...you must be joking. A prime example of this is Matthew Shepard.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Shepard

Not to mention the various counts of reports of people being dragged behind pick-up trucks. The comparisons are equal and then some.

The thread I posted was not meant to begin a flame war about who is right or wrong about societies history. It was to raise awareness that there are those who are being verbally attacked in game about an issue that everyone should be aware about. Perhaps it was the definition that threw everyone off so here are a few more for yall to chew on.

- unwillingness to recognize and respect differences in opinions or beliefs

- The quality or condition of being intolerant; lack of tolerance.

- unwillingness or refusal to accept people who are different from you, or views, beliefs, or lifestyles that differ from your own

- unwillingness to recognize and respect differences in opinions or beliefs

[ARNOTA]

I think that the defintion that I gave was the wrong one to use, so blame me for the lack of understanding. It is my belief however that racism and homosexuality are on the same levels in terms of their severity and their vicious histories. Something I would like to point out however for the sake of all things anthropological, there is no such thing as race. When it comes to human variation there are more differences between individuals in one region or society than there are between different ones. We are all ONE race, the human race, and any variation is miniscule and on a genetic scale.

Putting that asside. Its impossible NOT to make comparisons between racism and homophobia. Racism is the intolerance of those of different races and homophobia is the fear and intolerance of those who are homosexual. I'm not exactly sure how anyone can suggest that homosexualty has not 'Segregated, Denied Civil rights, Counted as 3/5ths of a person, treated like animals, having laws made against them that were unjust.' The gay community is denied civil rights every day when they are not allowed to marry and in a social sense especially in America they ARE counted as 3/5th of a person. As for not being treated like animals...you must be joking. A prime example of this is Matthew Shepard.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Shepard

Not to mention the various counts of reports of people being dragged behind pick-up trucks. The comparisons are equal and then some.

The thread I posted was not meant to begin a flame war about who is right or wrong about societies history. It was to raise awareness that there are those who are being verbally attacked in game about an issue that everyone should be aware about. Perhaps it was the definition that threw everyone off so here are a few more for yall to chew on.

- unwillingness to recognize and respect differences in opinions or beliefs

- The quality or condition of being intolerant; lack of tolerance.

- unwillingness or refusal to accept people who are different from you, or views, beliefs, or lifestyles that differ from your own

- unwillingness to recognize and respect differences in opinions or beliefs

Well said saywer :)

[dylanangel]

Entitled to an opinion and the way you chose to voice it is two different things. The manner in which Sawyer described NO ONE in this game or in around ME ever need to deal with that.

Yes you can be entitled to your opinion but I as well as all my friends who live THEIR lives the way THEY want to are entitled to not hear it!!! Keep your bigot opinions to yourselves ;)

[User200]

life is to short to give a crap about who someone choose to be with.. are you all so ignorant as to let someone's orientation really get to you? T_T shesh.. get a life. if someone is gay who's to say no? why is it so bothersome? really.. gay strait bi whatever the case is.. how does that persons choice effect you? if you can be happy being strait why isn't it ok for a gay couple to be happy?

[justin_2006]

If no one had an opinion, then no one would be unique or individual. So unless you want us all walking around doing the exact same thing day in and day out, people should be entitled to their oppinions, no matter how extreme they may be.

there are some things that shouldnt be said... point blank rlly :X

Homophobia isnt as bad as racism, homosexuals arent being hung from trees, hosed down, forced into concentration camps, deported, or massacared in the streets. People just call them bad names, point, and laugh. Its mean, but it isnt on the level of hate of racism.
.....................SO you're telling me that homosexuals haven't endured hate crimes such as physical abuse and even HOMOCIDE? You have GOT to be kidding. "Intolerance" leads to ALL acts that is racist. Racism is not in a branch of its own.

W O W.........

lol what he said









but anyway
i wish ppl in all would get over homosexuality as well as other things... its their choice and if it makes them happy then i dont think anyone should stop them... i just dont understand why other ppl get fired up over it, its not ur life, no ones making U do it... rlly, on this subject i think ppl need to just live and let live... whats the big difference in homosexuality and heterosexuality(aside from the obvious duh >_>), both ppl love each other or at the least like each other....

i just wish ppl would get over it... let ppl live their lives the way they want to(of course to a certain extent)...