#1 - Feb. 25, 2011, 4:36 a.m.
Every day, at an increasingly alarming rate, gay children commit suicide. When they leave notes they often cite bullying. One of the the most prominent forms of bullying is hate speech. Which is seen constantly in your game, World of Warcraft.
As you learned in 2006 from Sara Andrews, you have quite a few LGBT (!!!@@*!, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) customers playing your game. Buying your expansions and paying a fee of $14.99 every month to play. It is for them, especially the children, that I am writing.
Everyday in World of Warcraft I personally report multiple users for using different forms of hate speech. Particularly the words "f**" and "f****t". While you do respond to these reports I am asking that you go a step further.
In your game I cannot name a pet "Madonna", nor can I type the addresses of certain websites in any chat window. You have taken these steps in your customers' interests as well as your own. I ask you to repeat these in the interest of the gay children who look to you to protect them. Exclude the words "f**" and "f****t" from being used in chat or messages of any kind.
Will this end hate speech in your game entirely? No, but it will make huge difference. People wishing to use those words will discover that Blizzard truly does care about all of it's customers. They will know that you are committed to doing so and they will think twice before throwing around words and phrases that harm children. You will have taken a step to save children's lives.
Sincerely,
OpenSorce
Note: This was originally sent to WoWGM@blizzard.com. I received a response from Neenastra recommending I post it here. And so I have. I have starred out the particular terms (derogatory terms for gay males) as they are not suitable for the forums.
Intially posted in the Customer Service forums where I was asked to repost here.
