Microsoft XBOX suspends gamer who lives in Fort Gay, West Virginia
Fri. September 10, 2010 1:06 PM by GoPride.com News Staff
Fort Gay, W. Va. -
Josh Moore is a straight man who lives in Fort Gay, West Virginia. He never gave gay rights much thought until a Microsoft XBOX Live rules enforcer canceled his account on the misunderstanding that "Fort Gay" was some kind of slur.
Microsoft XBOX Live players can play against other people in remote locations. To play, you must create a profile and user ID. Moore's user name is "Joshanboo" and his profile listed his location as "fort gay, WV."
"At first I thought, 'Wow, somebody's thinking I live in the gayest town in West Virginia or something.' I was mad. ... It makes me feel like they hate gay people," he told the Associated Press. "I'm not even gay, and it makes me feel like they were discriminating."
When Moore called Microsoft to sort things out, he was met with incredulity. He told them his zip code and asked them to Google "Fort Gay," but no one believed him. They canceled his account without refunding his $12 membership fee.
The Mayor tried to call Microsoft, but nothing happened until a local TV station got wind of the story.
Microsoft is now apologizing.
"Someone took the phrase 'fort gay WV' and believed that the individual who had that was trying to offend, or trying to use it in a pejorative manner," XBOX Live director of policy Stephen Toulouse said. "Unfortunately, one of my people agreed with that. ... When it was brought to my attention, we did revoke the suspension."
Microsoft XBOX Live players can play against other people in remote locations. To play, you must create a profile and user ID. Moore's user name is "Joshanboo" and his profile listed his location as "fort gay, WV."
"At first I thought, 'Wow, somebody's thinking I live in the gayest town in West Virginia or something.' I was mad. ... It makes me feel like they hate gay people," he told the Associated Press. "I'm not even gay, and it makes me feel like they were discriminating."
When Moore called Microsoft to sort things out, he was met with incredulity. He told them his zip code and asked them to Google "Fort Gay," but no one believed him. They canceled his account without refunding his $12 membership fee.
The Mayor tried to call Microsoft, but nothing happened until a local TV station got wind of the story.
Microsoft is now apologizing.
"Someone took the phrase 'fort gay WV' and believed that the individual who had that was trying to offend, or trying to use it in a pejorative manner," XBOX Live director of policy Stephen Toulouse said. "Unfortunately, one of my people agreed with that. ... When it was brought to my attention, we did revoke the suspension."