Gay Main Character

[DocFrance]

Yeah, you never hear anyone accuse Cid Highwind of being gay, and why not? He certainly doesn't seem to care much for the company of women. Why can't he be gay? Is it just 'cause he's not limp wristed? If acting flamboyant is the only qualifier for gay, then I guess neither of my ex boyfriends is gay. Or me for that matter.

Well, you can't say that Cid is necessarily gay, because he's not openly homosexual. At the same time, you can't say he's necessarily straight, because he's not openly heterosexual, either. Many people generally assume he's straight, because of the whole thing with Shera. Unless it's explicitly stated (Cecil and Rosa, Zidane and Garnet, Squall and Seifer, Edgar and anything with a vagina, etc...), most characters' sexuality is open to interpretation. And that's where manga and fanfic comes in, like the utterly horrifying picture 'Kishi posted.

[Squall of SeeD]

I stated pretty clearly video game characters and Id have to say as detailed as final fantasy in general is its not unusual for fictional game characters to be full of stereotypes. I never said anything to suggest gay men all dress feminine and my original post... could be looked upon either way.

I know that's what you meant and I wasn't suggesting that you yourself hold that view, but I was simply commenting on the comment you had put forth. Sorry if that wasn't more clear.

[Destai]

Alright, sorry I took it the wrong way.

[Big D]

You're missing my point. I am saying that there has never officially been a gay character. You can spectulate all you want about Cloud, but to the majority of fans, he's straight. I'm sure if you asked Square-Enix themselves, they would tell you he's straight. What I am saying is why not add a character to the game that is announced gay either in the game or by Square-Enix? No harm in it.

Yet he's never officially declared heterosexual, either. They don't call him, "Cloud Strife, the heterosexual hero of FFVII..."
His sexuality is never mentioned explicitly.

I believe that Kiros Seagill from FFVIII is gay. I think he was attracted to Laguna, also. Neither of these factors are declared in the game, but there are hints. He was also a great character, if woefully under-used.

Once they start *labelling* the characters as gay or straight, the game stops being an epic fantasy and becomes a story about sexual identity. Drawing attention to one particular issue by making emphatic statements about it would undermine the point of having a gay character in the first place.

[Joshkabob]

Honestly, I don't like gays. Sorry to offend any homos out there.

[DocFrance]

Well, you've got every right to not like them.

[Flamethrower]

Once they start *labelling* the characters as gay or straight, the game stops being an epic fantasy and becomes a story about sexual identity. Drawing attention to one particular issue by making emphatic statements about it would undermine the point of having a gay character in the first place.

I disagree. Having a gay character would not stop the game from being an epic fantasy, and it wouldn't overshadow the overall story. It would simply be something new and add depth to the character. Some people would blow it out of proportion and go "OMG FAGZ R GROSS ILL NEVR PLAY FF AGAN!!!", but I have enough faith in humanity for the majority of gamers to not make a big deal about. (Well, maybe not that much faith...)

[Big D]

I disagree. Having a gay character would not stop the game from being an epic fantasy, and it wouldn't overshadow the overall story. It would simply be something new and add depth to the character. Some people would blow it out of proportion and go "OMG FAGZ R GROSS ILL NEVR PLAY FF AGAN!!!", but I have enough faith in humanity for the majority of gamers to not make a big deal about. (Well, maybe not that much faith...)

I see your point; I don't think that a gay character would prevent a great epic, but it'd be an issue if they made a big deal of it - like they centred the character's identity around his or her sexuality. "The story of one man's struggle to save the world" is epic; "The story of one gay man's struggle to save the world" would look silly on a game cover. A character's sexuality is a big part of their individual identity, there's no denying that. More diversity would indeed add to the game's depth and appeal, too. But it should, I think, be handled in the way sexuality has always been handled in the FF series - as something that simply gets revealed, rather than being stated emphatically at the outset. At no point does any character in any game declare, "I'm _____ and I'm straight!" so it'd be silly to do the same with a bisexual or homosexual character. The best way for a non-heterosexual character to be accepted is for their sexuality to be treated in exactly the same way as any other.
Just my opinion.

Pesonally, I think it'd be good to see some gay or bi characters in games. The FF seris does some great 'love triangles' and subtle romantic tension; a mixture of sexualities would only add to the possibilities.

[Defmetal]

Sorry to point this out but in the original version of Final Fantasy 7 Sephiroth was gay... so was Barret.

[DocFrance]

I'd like to point out that this is one of the very rare occasions that I will ever completely agree with Big D.

[Alice]

I think BigD summed it up perfectly as to what would be an appropriate way to go about it

[DocFrance]

A homosexual main character will work well only when homosexuality becomes a non-issue. Until then, it would just be perceived as a Will-and-Grace-esque carnival freak-show (Everybody, step right up! Marvel at the horror of the bizarre HOMOR!).

[Excelsior]

having a gay main character would be horrible! mostly because i honestly dont like gay people. it would totally ruin the story, and be very gross, especially if there was another gay person and there was icky man-relationships in the actual game.

[Alice]

i have now dubbed excelsior the biggot of 2005 :P

[Destai]

Stupid people shouldnt get opinions.