Thread by @Tommy_Atkins_MW

The recent “Trans Fights” controversy in @MechWarriorF2P has led to a number of calls for “gatekeeping” in the #BattleTech community – that is, to keep so-called “social justice warriors” and “politics” out of the game.

That is bullshit.

#BattletechBelongsToEveryone

1/22

I’ve shared it a number of times, but @Scottboehemer’s excellent essay really is a must-read on the issue. It predates the current controversy but it’s incredibly applicable to the current toxic and reactionary pushback.

https://twitter.com/ScottsGameStuff/status/1430508598552104964?s=20

2/22

Some background for those who don’t know it: In late Sept, the mods in #MWO invoked the Code of Conduct against a comp team and a number of players who had the word “trans” in their names.

This was ostensibly to protect trans players because... reasons?

It was a mistake.

3/22

There was immediate outrage and protest by the BattleTech/MWO #LGBTQ+ community (and that’s a larger community than many think) caused PGI to reverse their action.

A hasty retraction and apology ensued.

4/22

mwomercs.com/forums/topic/2…

Apparently, however, this apology somehow ruined #BattleTech for a certain small part of the community because the politically correct SJWs muh freeze peach whatever.

“Just keep politics out of it” became the rallying cry.

Yeah, that’s not how “politics” works.

5/22

When someone says “keep politics out of it” what they mean is “don’t make me uncomfortable”... and I can understand that.

I just want to blow up giant stompy war robots, too.

But it’s not terribly comfortable for me when other players casually use homophobic abuse.

6/22

It’s certainly not comfortable for trans players – who only want to be open with who they are as a welcoming signal to other trans players – when they’re subject to virulent transphobic abuse in-game.

7/22

https://twitter.com/MWO_Transphobia/status/1457806417969172485

“Keep politics out of the game?”

Homophobia is political. Transphobia is political. Racism, sexism, casual bigotry – and I’ve seen them all in the MWO community – are political.

And when those things are tolerated, marginalized players hear the message being sent.

8/22

We’re being told to be invisible. We’re being told to hide. We’re being told that just being ourselves is worth of derision and abuse.

And if the mods allow that shit to happen, we’re being told they condone it.

That’s political, too.

9/22

Now to be clear, the mods in @MechWarriorF2P have always been quick to respond to reports of homophobia, relative to other milsim and combat games. And for the most part the community is pretty good about it, too.

That’s probably why so many #MWO players are LGBTQ+.

10/22

Another recent announcement from @PiranhaGames has made it clear in the wake of this and other controversies that the Code of Conduct is being reviewed and strengthened.

This is not “SJW” stuff, this is PGI addressing liability issues.

11/22

mwomercs.com/forums/topic/2…

Under Canadian law transgender people – and other minorities - are specifically protected from discrimination. Companies are required to provide a safe environment to their customers and employees.

Failure to do so can – and has – resulted in expensive legal settlements.

12/22

PGI is based out of Vancouver. Those laws emphatically apply to a Canadian company.

They’re not going to expose themselves to that kind of legal liability in their IP just so a bunch of anonymous FTP players can wallow in homophobic and transphobic bigotry.

13/22

PGI is revamping the CoC because they know they screwed up on the “Trans Rights” comp team thing and they’re goddamn lucky not to be settling out of court right now.

And honestly, a ten-year-old Code of Conduct probably needs a refresher anyhow.

14/22

Which beings us back to the pushback issue. For a toxic part of the fanbase the cry is not "keep politics out" it's “gatekeep the SJWs” because somehow the presence of actual living, breathing LGBTQ+ folks will mean the destruction of the game.

https://twitter.com/PopeMetallicusI/status/1462072615724539914

15/22

Well, no. What it means is that if you want to play you can’t be a bigoted asshole to other players.

Despite their attempt to co-opt #BattleTechBelongsToEveryone, we understand what the toxic ones are really saying: BattleTech belongs to them and they control who plays.

16/22

Wrong again.

BattleTech is a universe that has been built over decades by a broad and diverse group of authors, players and fans.

The notion that anyone – especially a few bigoted assholes – can deny us access to that would be laughable if it weren’t so toxic.

17/22

Of course, the toxic players fear “SJWs” will weaponize the Code of Conduct to prevent them from being toxic... because that’s exactly what they would do if the situation were reversed.

That’s not what we want. We just want to drive big stompy robots without being abused.

18/22

And I think that’s not too big an ask, really. It’s our legal right, after all.

But if not being allowed to abuse us somehow breaks the game for you, then the game you’re really playing isn’t #MWO or #BattleTech.

And #LGBTQ+ players don’t have to sign up for that.

19/22

The toxic players cry “We’re being forced out of the game!”

You don’t have to be. Not being modded is simple – don’t do shit that breaks the CoC, like being a transphobic jerk.

Being hateful is a choice and it’s surprisingly easy not to chose it.

20/22

Hell, I’m not even insisting you change your mind.

You can think whatever small-minded shit you want.

You can play the game... you just can’t call me a faggot anymore. You can’t threaten trans players. You can’t cat-call women.

In short, you have to act like an adult.

21/22

It’s been almost 40 years since Weisman, Babock and Lewis first published a game called “BattleDroids” and started this crazy ride.

We’re all coming up on four decades of saying #BattleTechIsForEveryone.

Yes, it really is.

Now it's time to follow through.

22/22