STO forum mods are apparently cool with people saying 'tranny'

So someone in the STO forums made a thread about STO ships that use transphasic torpedoes, the user called them 'tranny boats'. Of course that word is a slur and is completely unacceptable. Someone on page 2 spoke out against it, but swiftly got swamped by people who felt cutting one word out of their vocabulary would just make life feel empty and meaningless. I made a post and thanked the person for standing up for trans people.

Later another person joined in, developed a dialogue with one or two, and convinced them not to use the word anymore. Suddenly a forum mod swoops in, deletes any posts calling out the use of the word, says it's ok to say 'tranny' and even admits that he uses it himself regularly.

I'm feeling so frustrated right now. Of course they don't mind the use of the word, they're not the ones targeted by it. Anything I say won't make a bit of difference coz they'll write me off as oversensitive(while they are the ones who feel super slighted by being asked to pass on using one single word). Plus it'll just get me a ban by the mod.
Being in the right means bugger all when you're only .2% of society, and it makes you feel so very powerless. It's not just this thread that gets to me like this by the way, I run into this stuff every bloody day in offline life. I just didn't expect it from a moderator, on a Star Trek forums no less.

Anyway I sent this ticket to support:
"Dear Sir/Madam

In a thread on the STO forums (http://sto-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?t=1111751&page=6), a moderator defended and enabled the repeated usage of a slur. Even the title of the thread itself contains one.

The word 'tranny' has long been a very damaging and offensive word brought to bear against the transgender community. Users in this thread thought they could get away with their cheeky use of it by stating that they simply use it as an abbreviation of 'transphasic'. Of course, if a certain in-game word could be shortened into the n-word, that wouldn't have justified using the n-word, would it?

Multiple people in the thread called out the usage of the word, in polite and respectful ways, and a dialogue even arose that furthered understanding. People seemed to have come to an agreement not to use the word anymore, and then a moderator(askray) jumped in. The moderator deleted all posts that denounced the use of the slur, excused it's use, and even admitted using it himself. This is of course unacceptable, and puts the game and it's owners in a very bad light.

I'd ask you to remove this moderators endorsement of the usage of slurs, and to ask thread users to refrain from using the word any further. That would also remove the need for any further posts on the matter(which'd only derail the thread).

I and friends of mine have had the t-word flung at us many times, often when in danger of violence. It brings up very negative associations for us, and other people in my LGBT fleet were also greatly bothered by the thread. Most non-LGBT people in the thread including the moderator did not seem too bothered, but then they've never been on the receiving end of the word. However, I think whether the usage of a slur is improper is best determined by those targeted by it, wouldn't you agree?

I hope you can do something about this, and make this game's community welcoming to people from all walks of life. After all, isn't diversity what Star Trek is all about?

Kind regards,
Kim"

I already know it's gonna do bugger all, but it's all I could think of. Anyone else got any advice? Sorry for the rant, just frustrated this shit keeps happening everywhere I go.

I'm sorry, Kimmy. :( *huge hugs*

Highlighting the moderator's words:

"Alright folks, I've cleaned this thread up of posts that are derailing this thread.

Before I state this thread needs to get back on topic let me say something -

I understand completely and sympathize with transgender folks that have been abused, beaten and other unspeakable actions and been called names because of who they are. That said, I have to look at this thread objectively not just based on my own views on things. The OP and the people that have replied are obviously not trying to insult or make fun of transgendered people. If they were, I would have instantly removed all references, issued warnings and most likely requested a ban be placed.

However, even I call transphasic gear - tranny torps or trans torps etc. It's not because I'm insensitive, it's not because I don't think about transgender rights or their struggle, it's because it's simpler to say. Again, I understand those that have a strong hate for the word but if I censor every word people find offensive the forums would be a very very barren place.

I appreciate those that also ignored posts and reported them to us and just tried to keep the thread going It's why I've let this thread continue on."- Askray

I respectfully understand that Askray was trying to keep the thread on topic and his said sympathy towards the LGBT community, but he does still seemed rather ignorant about the offense with the allowed continuation of the phrase. The word is still offensive nevertheless. :(

Putting things into perspective, STO is a gaming community, and LGBTQA awareness isn't always within the mindset of everyone on the forums unfortunately. People want to play and have fun. However, this is also Star Trek, which is known for its progressive undertaking of acceptance and open-minded respect for diversity. The LGBTQA community definitely is a large part of this and should be recognized. Such acknowledgement and public education on our current social circumstances today would hopefully help reduce further microagressions and ensure a more friendly environment for everyone. It's unfortunate he had to delete those posts.

Overall, I'd like to thank you for speaking up, as well thoroughly explaining to them in your message to them. I really do hope they acknowledge your words, and hopefully change the name of the forum title! Was thinking maybe "Trans torpedo boat" would work?

*huge hug squeezes*
- Eurrsk :)

There is also the fact that this is also an LGBTQ community--NOT just a gay community. An LGBTQ community should be able to accommodate every letter of the "alphabet", not just abide by the norms and whims of the most dominant "letter".

Thanks for speaking up. I'm not on STO much these days--I'm immersed in DC Universe Online, where, sadly, it's very hard to join a guild without encountering homophobic speech as the norm. But the various Stonewall guilds are, whether we like it or not, amongst the standard-bearers for LGBTQ guilds in the gaming world. Let's keep working to set a positive example.

This is tough, because I can see where both of you are coming from in your arguments but I think your argument kimmyyum takes precedent in this situation. I also tend to shorten transphasic anything to trans, it's a habit I picked up in the Corps (shortening things) and I notice you specifically didn't mention that word in your e-mail. So while I can see his argument and to an extent agree with him when it comes to shortening transphasic to trans, there is no excuse for usage of tranny in regards to equipment in this game. We don't play STO in a vacuum, and we don't play it in the future, we play this game now where we know damn well what that word means and it's implications. Thus, I think your argument holds merit and takes precedence over his.

Kimmy, I admire that you ultimately focused your frustration in effectively speaking up for yourself, and I think in the end you got a positive result out of it because you were so calm and articulate.

One of the biggest and ongoing lessons I learn in life is: It's not about what happens or what people say to you that matters, it is how you respond to it that defines your character.

"Tranny" is wildly unacceptable in any context, as is "Fag" or any other slur. It is unfortunate that the (gaming) world has a lot of catching up to do WRT awareness. But in the end, don't let them get you down and just keep your head held high as you've done here. While it's hard at times, you will be OK and stronger for it.

Stay strong. :)

Quote by Keioel

I also tend to shorten transphasic anything to trans,

Oh yeah I'm totally cool with shortening it to 'trans', I mean, trans is not a slur, it just means "on the other side of", the latin opposite of cis.

And Rasilek, honestly, I don't really think we should praise people just because they calmly speak out against harmful language. A calm and demure response to bigotry isn't as uncomfortable for bigots as an angry response, so of course they'd prefer us to be docile about it. But being oppressed isn't comfortable, so why should being confronted for oppressing be? Personally I think we should deconstruct this mechanism where anger supposedly devalues an argument. Perhaps then an argument will be judged on it's own merit, no matter the tone.
Of course I understand you meant to be kind, and I do appreciate your support! I just thought it was worth remarking on is all, wasn't even specifically aimed at you, more of a general observation. :)

Anyhow thanks for the kind words, everyone.

Edit: Support replied!

Quote by kimmyyum

Edit: Support replied!

Let´s hope they really do it.

Quote by Andrea Maria

Let´s hope they really do it.

Yeah that was my first thought too. Meh, they can delete/ignore it if they want, I've done my part. If they do however, I'm not sure if I wanna keep supporting a company like that by playing their game.

To be honest, I don't know of any gaming company in which efforts to curb harassment and bullying have been successful. It's not going to come from the corporate end, but from the player base. Which is why the actions of individuals, as well as grassroots efforts like Gamers Against Bigotry, are our best shot.