So, I own the big glbt friendly guild on the Shadow Moon server of World of Warcraft. As I'm sure you guys know, most servers have at least one glbt friendly guild. WELL, I was under the impression that we were protected with their Terms of Use. . . and that we could not be harrassed for recruiting for a glbt friendly guild. Apparently I was wrong. Below are the email correspondences between WoW GMs and myself, when I was reported and giving a warning for recruiting for my GLBT friendly guild. Also, I found this article online (http://www.innewsweekly.com/innews/?class_code=Ga&article_code=941) and wrote the editors of the magazine/website. Their email is also included! I think they're going to help. I'm also in the process of contacting other forms of media, as well as the ACLU, HRC, and GLAAD. If anyone else has any helpful information, please feel free to email me at PrismaticEcho@hotmail.com. Thanks!

I have reported this incident to the ACLU, along with copies of these emails, and requested their legal assistance with this matter. Furthermore, I will no longer be renewing my account with World of Warcraft, due to your lack of support for a glbt friendly environment. It seems to be ok for general chat to be flooded with, "That's so gay!" and "I just got ganked! What a fag!", yet advertising for a glbt friendly environment where we don't have to deal with such language is deemed "inappropriate". Hopefully you'll be hearing from my ACLU appointed attourny soon.

~
Cordially,
Sara Andrews

From: <wowaccountadmin@blizzard.com>
To: <prismaticecho@hotmail.com>
Subject: World of Warcraft - Account Issue
Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2006 21:39:10 -0800

Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to write in. While I respect your position and understand your perspective in this matter, please keep in mind, that according to our Terms of Use (http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/legal/termsofuse.html), you may not:

(i) Transmit or post any content or language which, in the sole and absolute discretion of Blizzard Entertainment, is deemed to be offensive, including without limitation content or language that is unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, hateful, sexually explicit, or racially, ethnically or otherwise objectionable, nor may you use a misspelling or an alternative spelling to circumvent the content and language restrictions listed above;

Please remember that it is up to our sole and absolute discretion whether or not to allow certain types of language in the game. While some language in and of itself may not be offensive, it may incite certain responses in other players that will allow for discussion that we feel has no place in our game. As such, I am afraid that I am unable to reduce, reverse or otherwise amend our previous decision.

Thank you again for your time and consideration in this issue.

Regards,

Stawl
Senior Account Administration
Blizzard Entertainment
http://www.worldofwarcraft.com


-----Original Message-----
From: prismaticecho@hotmail.com sara andrews
To: wowaccountadmin@blizzard.com
Sent: 1/14/2006 7:18:56 PM
Subject: ATTENTION MANAGER!!!

I have been advised to contact the ACLU on this matter if this action is not
reversed on my account, as I have clearly NOT violated the Terms of Use as
they are stated. The terms CLEARLY state:

Offense: Harassment - Sexual Orientation
This category includes both clear and masked language which:
"Insultingly" refers to any aspect of sexual orientation pertaining to
themselves or other players.

Again, I said:
1/12/2006 8:50 (GMT) Shimmre General - Stormwind City
"OZ is recruiting all levels, but especially 50-60s! We are working on our
Onyxia Chains and will be doing UBRS and hopefully Onyxia soon! We are not
"glbt only", but we are "glbt friendly"! http://guilduniverse.com/oz"

That is in NO way violating the Terms of Use, as I have not insulting
refered to sexual orientation. I was obviously reported by someone who has
a problems with homosexuals. I certainly hope that Blizzard doesn't promote
this type of bigotry, yet it appears that you do as you don't seem to be
reading what I've said OR your own policy. I would like a phone number
where someone can be reached, so that I can discuss this matter in person.
My next step will be to contact the ACLU and have them assist me with this
situation.

~
Cordially,
Sara E Andrews

>From: <wowaccountadmin@blizzard.com>
>To: <prismaticecho@hotmail.com>
>Subject: World of Warcraft - Account Issue
>Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2006 17:38:07 -0800
>
>Greetings Sara,
>
>Thank you again for your follow up e-mails regarding this issue. We have
>reviewed this case and have determined that advertising for a guild based
>on Sexual Orientation is not appropriate for the World of Warcraft. As
>such, any further violations will affect your account as described in our
>"Penalty Volcano" located at:
>http://www.blizzard.com/support/wowgm/?id=agm01714p.
>
>We thank you for your time and anticipated cooperation with our position.
>Please feel free to contact us again should you have any further questions
>or concerns.
>
>
>Regards,
>Karliss
>Account Administration
>Blizzard Entertainment
><http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: prismaticecho@hotmail.com sara andrews
>To: wowaccountadmin@blizzard.com
>Sent: 1/13/2006 9:50:08 PM
>Subject: RE: World of Warcraft - Account Issue - ATTENTION SUPERVISOR
>
>Yes, but I willl continue to advertise for my glbt friendly guild because
>it's NOT against the policy. . . and if I get reported again by some bigot
>that doesn't like seeing a glbt friendly guild advertised, and I get my
>account suspend. . . we'll have SERIOUS problems. Therefore, I need to be
>assured that this will not happen. . . so that I can reassure my guildmates
>that they will not be in trouble for recruiting for my glbt friendly guild.
>I refuse to recruit any other way, because there are WAY too many people on
>WoW that use REAL anti-gay terms and I do not want those people in my
>guild.
> If we cannot settle this via email, I would like a phone number so that
>I
>can speak to someone in person. Thank you.
>
>~
>Sara Andrews
>
>
> >From: <wowaccountadmin@blizzard.com>
> >To: <prismaticecho@hotmail.com>
> >Subject: World of Warcraft - Account Issue
> >Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2006 21:43:00 -0800
> >
> >Greetings Sara,
> >
> >Thank you for your follow up e-mail regarding the warning issued to your
> >account. While we appreciate and understand your point of view, we do
>feel
> >that the advertisement of a "glbt friendly" guild is very likely to
>result
> >in harassment for players that may not have existed otherwise.
> >
> >If you will look at our policy, you will notice the suggested penalty for
> >violating the Sexual Orientation Harassment Policy is to "be temporarily
> >suspended from the game." However, as there was clearly no malicious
> >intent on your part, this penalty was reduced to a warning. As
>previously
> >communicated, a warning on an account has very few, if any, long-term
> >repercussions.
> >
> >Thank you for your time and patience in this matter.
> >
> >
> >
> >Regards,
> >Karliss
> >Account Administration
> >Blizzard Entertainment
> ><http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/>
> >
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: prismaticecho@hotmail.com sara andrews
> >To: wowaccountadmin@blizzard.com
> >Sent: 1/12/2006 7:23:22 PM
> >Subject: RE: World of Warcraft - Account Issue
> >
> >The offense reads: This category includes both clear and masked language
> >which: INSULTINGLY
> >refers to any aspect of sexual orientation. . .
> >
> >Yes, GLBT is a known abbreviation for gay lesbian bisexual transgendered,
> >but I am NOT refering to GLBT in an insulting manor. The offense states
> >that you cannot use language that refers to sexual orientation
>INSULTINGLY!
> >It does NOT state anywhere that you cannot refer to sexual orientation
> >period. We do mention that we are GLBT FRIENDLY, which is NOT against the
> >rules and regulations because we are not insulting anyone for their
>sexual
> >orientation.
> >
> >I suggest that someone speak with a manager or someone with authority
>about
> >this matter, because this situation can and will be taken before a court
>of
> >law. My guild members are now afraid to recruit because of YOUR
> >misunderstanding of the offense which you've given. If you can show me
> >where it says that we can't mention sexual orientation at ALL (not just
> >"insultingly"), I will agree to this offense. Until then, I would like
>the
> >situation handled properly and a reply when this is done.
> >
> >~
> >Sara E Andrews
> >
> >
> > >From: <wowaccountadmin@blizzard.com>
> > >To: <prismaticecho@hotmail.com>
> > >Subject: World of Warcraft - Account Issue
> > >Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2006 17:26:06 -0800
> > >
> > >Hello,
> > >
> > >Thank you for taking the time to contact us regarding the World of
> >Warcraft
> > >account you are using. We appreciate and understand your point of view,
> >yet
> > >have to reiterate that all players participating in the World of
>Warcraft
> > >environment are required to adhere to the Terms of Use
> > >(http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/legal/termsofuse.html) at all times.
> > >
> > >Account Name: PRISMATICECHO1
> > >Realm: Shadow Moon
> > >Offense: Harassment Policy Violation - Sexual Orientation
> > >Details (Note - Times are listed in Greenwich Mean Time, GMT):
> > >1/12/2006 8:50 (GMT) Shimmre General - Stormwind City "OZ is recruiting
> >all
> > >levels, but especially 50-60s! We are working on our Onyxia Chains and
> >will
> > >be doing UBRS and hopefully Onyxia soon! We are not "glbt only", but we
> >are
> > >"glbt friendly"! http://guilduniverse.com/oz"
> > >
> > >GBLT is a known abbreviation for Gay Bi Lesbian Transsexual.
> > >
> > >With regards to the above account action, please review the World of
> > >Warcraft Harassment Policy at
> > >http://www.blizzard.com/support/wowgm/?id=agm01719p. As you can see
>from
> > >the above information, using such language falls into the Sexual
> > >Orientation category. You will also notice that the suggested penalty
> >for
> > >such actions is to "Be temporarily suspended from the game"; however,
>you
> > >were given a warning. Receiving a warning is nothing more than an
> > >education in policy for minor issues and a tool our in-game support
>team
> > >uses to track player behavior. While it is not a good idea to ignore a
> > >warning and continue the inappropriate action(s), warnings on an
>account
> > >have very few, if any, long-term repercussions.
> > >
> > >We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and hope this
>has
> > >resolved any concerns you may have had. Please let us know if we can be
> >of
> > >further assistance to you.
> > >
> > >Thank you for your time and patience in this matter.
> > >
> > >Regards,
> > >
> > >Gorido
> > >Account Administration
> > >Blizzard Entertainment
> > >www.worldofwarcraft.com
> > >
> > >
> > >-----Original Message-----
> > >From: prismaticecho@hotmail.com sara andrews
> > >To: wowaccountadmin@blizzard.com
> > >Sent: 1/12/2006 3:45:35 AM
> > >Subject: RE: World of Warcraft - Account Action Notification
> > >
> > >I'm sorry, but what was my offense here? My email stated that I
>violated
> > >this policy:
> > >
> > >Offense: Harassment - Sexual Orientation
> > >This category includes both clear and masked language which:
>Insultingly
> > >refers to any aspect of sexual orientation pertaining to themselves or
> > >other
> > >players
> > >
> > >I beg to differ. My guild recruitment message states:
> > >
> > >"OZ is recruiting all levels, but especially 50-60s! We are working on
> >our
> > >Onyxia Chains and will be doing UBRS and hopefully Onyxia soon! We are
> >not
> > >"glbt only", but we are "glbt friendly"! http://guilduniverse.com/oz"
> > >
> > >As you can clearly see, I'm not "insultingly refering" to any aspect of
> > >sexual orientation. I'm WELCOMING anyone and everyone to join my guild,
> > >REGARDLESS of sexual orientation. My guild is glbt (gay les bi trans)
> > >FRIENDLY! It is a place where glbt members can come without being
> >harassed
> > >or insulted for their sexual orientation with phrases that are used ALL
> >too
> > >often, such as "That's so gay" and "That horde just ganked me! What a
> > >fag!".
> > > I also state that we are "NOT GLBT ONLY", but we "ARE GLBT
>FRIENDLY".
> >.
> > >.
> > >meaning that we do not exclude those who are heterosexual. We simply
> > >insist
> > >that everyone who joins be friendly to everyone else, and keep
>prejudice
> > >talk (which happens all too much in Azeroth) OUT of our guild. How is
> >that
> > >insulting? I believe there has been a HUGE mistake! Whoever reported
>me
> >is
> > >the one that is apparently the one with the harrassing issue towards
> >people
> > >of a different sexual orientation. They're the people who you should
>be
> > >giving a warning to. I would like to be notified when this mistake has
> > >been
> > >resolved.
> > >
> > >Thank you,
> > >Sara E Andrews
> > >
> > >
> > > >From: <wowaccountadmin@blizzard.com>
> > > >To: <PRISMATICECHO@HOTMAIL.COM>
> > > >Subject: World of Warcraft - Account Action Notification
> > > >Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2006 02:46:44 -0800
> > > >
> > > >Greetings Sara,
> > > >
> > > >Account Name: PRISMATICECHO1
> > > >Realm: Shadow Moon
> > > >Character Name: Shimmre
> > > >
> > > >Account Action: Warning
> > > >
> > > >Offense: Harassment - Sexual Orientation
> > > >This category includes both clear and masked language which:
> > > >.. Insultingly refers to any aspect of sexual orientation pertaining
>to
> > > >themselves or other players
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >Details (Note - Times are listed in Greenwich Mean Time, GMT):
> > > >1/12/2006 8:50 (GMT) Shimmre General - Stormwind City "OZ is
>recruiting
> > >all
> > > >levels, but especially 50-60s! We are working on our Onyxia Chains
>and
> > >will
> > > >be doing UBRS and hopefully Onyxia soon! We are not "glbt only", but
>we
> > >are
> > > >"glbt friendly"! http://guilduniverse.com/oz"
> > > >
> > > >The actions detailed above have been deemed inappropriate for the
>World
> > >of
> > > >Warcraft by the In-Game Support staff of Blizzard Entertainment. For
> > > >further information, please view the World of Warcraft Policies and
> >Terms
> > > >of Use Agreement:
>(http://www.blizzard.com/support/wowgm/?id=agm01712p)
> > >and
> > > >(<http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/termsofuse.shtml>).
> > > >
> > > >For any concerns or disputes on this matter, please E-Mail
> > > >WoWAccountAdmin@Blizzard.com mailto:WoWAccountAdmin@Blizzard.com and
> >our
> > > >Account Administration team will be happy to assist you.
> > > >
> > > >Be aware that additional inappropriate actions may result in further
> > > >disciplinary action, leading up to or including account closure. We
> >thank
> > > >you in advance for respecting our position.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >If you have any concerns, praise or feedback please e-mail us at
> > > >wowgmfeedback-us@blizzard.com.
> > > >
> > > >Thank you for playing. May your blade never dull and your adventure
> >never
> > > >fade.
> > > >
> > > >Regards,
> > > >
> > > >Tirauka
> > > >Game Master
> > > >Blizzard Entertainment
> > > >www.worldofwarcraft.com
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >Customer satisfaction is a top priority here at Blizzard
>Entertainment,
> > >and
> > > >we would like your feedback on the level of service you have
>received.
> > > >Please feel free to provide such feedback at the following web
>address:
> > >
> >
> >http://www.blizzard.com/support/?id=eSurvey000&i=477&d=1/12/2006%202:41:53%20AM&t=PRISMATICECHO@HOTMAIL.COM


And here is the email I received from the news article editors:

Dear Sara,

I will review the email you sent me and will follow up with Blizzard for comment. Please confirm that the emails you have sent me are from one consistent string and nothing has been omitted.

Thank you,
Alexander Sliwinski


On Mon, 16 Jan 2006 04:58:20 -0600
"Sara Andrews" <prismaticecho@hotmail.com> wrote:
*This message was transferred with a trial version of CommuniGate™ Pro*
Hello!
I recently saw your online article about glbt friendly guild in World of Warcraft. I am the owner of a glbt friendly guild on the Shadow Moon server in the game World of Warcraft. I was recently reported for violating a sexual harrassment policy which was completely bogus. I was simply advertising for my GLBT friendly guild. Below are the email correspondences which followed. This story NEEDS to be made public! Feel free to contact me at prismaticecho@hotmail.com.

~
Sincerely,
Sara E Andrews
(aka Shimmre)

*merged topics together*

This post has been edited by Lysander: Jan 16 2006, 08:04 PM

Damn! That is totally ridiculous of them to even consider the mere mention of proper terms of sexual orientation to be offensive. And they never even tried to explain why your advertisement falls under that category, simply that it does. Total disrespect. You shouldnt have to request to talk to a representative as many times as they made you do.

It is not against the rule to post a complaint, even if you're a newbie.

But please, do not post the same thing in three different categories. That is annoying.

Please only post the topic once. I have merged and deleted the others.

In my opinion, it's a poopy game anyways. It loses its luster fast.

That's completely ridiculous, and their responses are just more and more aggrevating. Gaymers in online communities have it rough really. On NWN they don't even have a glbt guild. There was one apparently but it's long gone. I hope things work out for you.

^^ What a lovely addition to the topic at hand there, IotM.

Anyways, I hope you go through with the ACLU. Even if there's nothing they can do legally, they can bring a lot of bad press and publicity to Blizzard, and they realize that all their cases aren't brought up to be won, but also to get information out there.

Its pretty fucked up that someone can't recruit for an 'inclusive' group like this.

This post has been edited by Rennyn: Jan 16 2006, 11:22 PM

I guess I won't be playing WoW anytime soon. I'm going to email customer service of my feelings also. You might also want to post this on mmorpg.com, though I would suggest only posting it once.

This post has been edited by Raynes: Jan 16 2006, 09:51 PM

Dangit, I *like* WoW. I don't want to give it up. But I don't want any company profiting off of me with such policies.

Well, I'll start by emailing customer service and complaining. Maybe if there are enough of us, they'll bend.

I have to say thanks for making sure people are aware of that garbage Blizzard is pulling. I was actually on the fence about whether I should buy World of Warcraft or not. I'm not very big on pay to play, but I was thinking of giving it a shot, this garbage makes it clear I shouldn't bother.

I definitely think getting in touch with the ACLU is a good idea, I think another good one is to get this spread out to the many people of the various gaming communities so more people become aware of what's going on. I think generating publicity about this is definitely an important thing to do.

I've got a few other suggestions on what to do if Blizzard keeps acting so ridiculous, but I'll keep them to myself until I've heard more about what Blizzard's reaction is to a few more complaints regarding this.

James

I'm a little surprised to see/hear this. I recall an issue of Out magazine where they were talking pretty favorably about the glbt guilds on WoW.

As you've mentioned there are glbt players on most servers in most MMORPGs. I don't see the harm in advertising being friendly to it. It's not like they are hanging out in real life with us.

On that note, for SWG, I have a Wookiee that I play and I'm openly gay on my server, though my character is bi. (IMG:http://gamers.experimentations.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Anyway, I have a nice honor family with both males and females in it.

First of all you are right to complain about it. Absolutely right. Blizzard is pulling some BS there with you.


But as far as warnings and suspensions go, you will never be able to win against them. They have the right to terminate your account whenever they want, for whatever reason they want. Most MMOs have that as part of their EULA.

It sadly apparent that the GMs involved have a very shaky understanding of the issues at hand. I would suggest writing a letter on paper and mailing it to their corporate PO box addressed to the president and vice president. They may not read it personally, but someone with more authority and a more astute grasp of the issues at hand certainly will.

Stonewall Champions has given their game good press in both Out and IN Newsweekly, and I am penning a letter to their customer service Director for an official clarification on their stance. If a random person asks about membership and I tell them we're 98% GLBT and they complain, will I receive a warning?

This is inconsistent with their treatment of GLBT guilds advertising in their official Guild Recruitment forum, as well.

It would be unfair of us to let the good things we've said in the gay press stand if a GLBT guild is only allowed to exist in a state of closeted silence. That point will be made clear.

This post has been edited by Poofenstein: Jan 17 2006, 06:51 AM

I've done the same, before even reading your post Poofie, via Email. Should that prove inconsistant/'generic reply' dead end (I'm sorry, but half the emails Prismatic recieved reeked of 'Standardized Response' forms), I'll try the physical letter item.

I think many companies fail to realize the massive segment of the gaming community they alienate through such actions. I can't think of any online game where I have not seen or read of a GLBT Friendly in-game organization such as a guild.

Which is rather sad.

I know there are some other GLBT guilds adn particuclar the Guild on Proudmore which I believe is run by a member of this Forum, have any of them had the same issue? I have to wonder if you simply got an idiot or even have simply been replying to an e-mail bot. If not though, I don't know that I could justify keeping my WoW account.

This makes me sad =\

It's kind of a humbling reminder that even realzing how much progress the GLBT community has made, we still have a long ways to go.

So they're trying to "protect" your guild from harassment by not allowing you to say that you're an LGBT guild in general chat? Yeah, interesting. I can't tell if that's misguided helpfulness or actual malice. Is Shadowmoon an RP (or RP-PVP) server, and would that make a difference?

Thank you all for your kind words and support! I have forwarded the emails to NUMOUROUS glbt activist organizations as well as many types of news media including OUT, The Advocate, In News Weekly, PC Gamer, MTVNews, and many MANY others. I've spent days posting on forums and emails editors of websites and magazines. At the very least I want this public so that we may get a response from Blizzard with their stance on the matter.

I, personally, think that the GM that took the report was an idiot as he OBVIOUSLY didn't read or understand the harrrassment policy that he tried to say I violated. And of course, it wouldn't be wise of other GMs to say they made a mistake, so they backed it up as best as they could. . . which only lead to some SERIOUS anti-gay remarks. They have a lot of audacity to say that we bring hate and harrassment upon ourselves by being openly gay and/or recruiting for a gay friendly environment!!! It's an absolute outrage and I simply will not tolerate it without a fight! Please feel free to post this on any other forums you know of, along with my contact information (prismaticecho@hotmail.com).

~
Thanks so much,
Sara Echo Andrews