That is the thing, not everyone agrees that this is in fact a positive representation of gay people. If you do, that is perfectly fine, but not everyone agrees, that is the point that I and others are trying to make, mishandling this hurts more than it helps. In the end there is always to be people who agree or disagrees or who don’t care, but it remains to be seen whether or not this is generally seen as something good or not in the future.
I haven’t mentioned my emotions once but thanks for playing.
Oh and the answer to your question is yes.
You said if you were gay you would be insulted, and your objections to 76 being gay come from your opinions and feelings
Your emotions are at stake whether you directly say the word emotion or not.
No offense but you said this.
There are some good arguments that are not at all homophobic or intolerant from my perspective at least. Did you really wanted to know or were you looking for justification? I advise that you take some of the arguments and reflect on why other people might think differently and acknowledge it, you don’t have to agree on them, but calling them homophobic just because you don’t agree IS part of the problem.
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I haven’t seen any, to be honest.
The only plausible arguments I had seen are how it took them 3 years to say this and that it might seem sudden, but as I mentioned before, they’re slow with lore on ALL characters and it’s not like he was hinted at being straight before.
Even gay people can have internalized homophobia and often suffer from a complex where they’re essentially afraid of “overstepping” and making straight people feel uncomfortable. I was like this when I was younger and more insecure.
I think you’re misunderstanding. I wouldn’t be insulted bc he was gay, I would be insulted bc I’d feel like it wasn’t something that came from a genuine place so that I could be represented. Sure I’m not gay, but I am a short latino (you guys literally have more representation than I do) and I know myself. Regardless of my orientation I appreciate something that comes from a genuine place. “Oh snap this short latino guy is the hero of this story. Awesome.” But if Soldier: 76 was suddenly "hey guys he’s actually Puerto Rican I’d be like “uhhh no.” I’d feel insulted bc it wasnt done for ME or anyone like me, it was done for brownie points.
I get this perspective but trying to turn Soldier 76 into a race he isn’t would obviously be disrespectful and a horrible attempt at pandering. As for being gay, as I keep saying, absolutely nothing in any of the lore suggested he was straight.
Yes, most people are straight, I’m not ignorant. That’s the way it is and should be. But this is a great reflection of real life. You can’t know without knowing for sure what someone’s sexuality is.
I “pass” as straight and people are often surprised when I tell them I’m not. It’s a good life lesson to have, honestly. You can’t assume someone’s sexuality from their mannerisms.
The difference being that 76 is obviously not Latino
But
He was never confirmed straight. You assumed he was. Blizzard is not responsible for your feelings because their lore broke your headcanon.
I found a lot:
Claiming positive and supportive representation of gay people as “forced” is hateful.
Claiming positive and supportive representation of gay people as an “agenda” is hateful.
A fictional character is real in their fictional world. In the world of Overwatch Soldier didn’t choose to be gay. So you calling it “forced” is hateful.
Trying to invalidate the suffering of gay people.
Insulting someone.
Describing being “gay” as nothing but a trend.
Assuming something to validify your hate.
You shouldn’t assume sexuality.
They don’t have to say it. They show it. If gay people reveal or show their affection they get hate.
Ignoring my opinion because you offended me.
Claiming gay people like being a victim.
This is a common joke. Many proved racist and homophobic people say things like “I have gay/black friends so it’s ok”.
Treating me like I’m less than you and need protection.
Claiming our suffering isn’t real to justify hate.
Again, you claim us to act like victims and generalise gay people.
Right here full stop. There are PLENTY of very light skinned latinos and even mixed latinos with blonde hair. I have a friend who is 100% Dominican and she’s whiter than Kate Blanchette and has blonde hair. No character is given a race in OW, only where they’re from geographically (if I remember correctly.) And you say if “he was made a race he was clearly not” and it would be “disrespectful and a horrible attempt at pandering.” But who’s to say he can’t be hispanic? Or he didn’t start that way?
You see what I mean? This is what his reveal comes off as in my opinion. As if he was suddenly made hispanic. And as a Hispanic person I would absolutely be offended by this move. Either represent me bc that’s how you wrote and love the character, or not at all. That’s just how I see it. Not trying to offend anyone.
I am aware of this. Look at Sombra’s VA, she made lots of videos about this. About being white and not being seen as “latina” by others.
But Soldier 76 is named Jack Morrison, and not one ounce of anything from his background, name, or anything hints at him being hispanic.
How do you think 76 should have been introduced if he was made gay from the start?
If Soldier was introduced as gay from the start people would still say it was forced.
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Well, the characters of Overwatch are heavily based on stereotypes and different recognizable features that are highlighed on the character, Zarya is a walking russian steretype, for example. I guess, if a character started to use the stereotypes that the gays have, then it could make it feel more responsive to the way the characters behaves and how that behavior relates to their personality.
PD: I don’t use those arguments, I find the change pretty well executed (Though it could have had more development, it’s way better than Tracer’s fiasco. I did a post about it: [OPINION] The difference between Tracer and Soldier: 76 being gay), but I wanted to answer what a possible reasoning could be from the other side of the discussion.
You are getting it wrong. The reason a lot of people feel it’s forced it’s because sexuality and the sexual orientation of the characters was never given any relevance or importance in the game nor does it has any place in it since it is not a medium where that matters in the slightest, we as players should not care at all what the sexual orientation of these characters are in the first place because it doesn’t really matter. To give you an example, there are other mediums, even games, where sexuality is explored so it is established from the beginning that this is THAT kind of media, therefore, revealing the sexual orientation of characters comes naturally, because it matters, and it’s relevant. Here in OW however, that is not the case, and introducing the sexual orientation of characters feels out of place.
If you disagree with all of that, that is valid and perfectly fine, but people ask why others think it’s forced, and that is the reason I feel some people think it’s forced, whether or not you like it or agree that is another matter.
Welp. 0/0
You tried tho. Looks like I get to main Reaper this season.
The reason a lot of people think it is forced is because it was gay. This is hateful.
If so, why is it a problem?
You refuse to play as Soldier because he is gay?
You cannot deny you were hateful. I proved you were.
Lots of story elements have come from romantic relationships, and thus have revealed a character’s sexuality.
Widowmaker and Gerard.
Torbjorn and Ingrid.
Ana and Sam.
And who’s to say that Soldier being gay won’t have a more meaningful impact as lore continues to develop?
Lucky you, can’t wait for the PTR to hit live.
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Well, I tried to reason, didn’t work. I’m out.