Is Penny Arcade homophobic – Nah probably not

Let's start this by saying Bonnie Ruberg is a favorite of mine, I like her wit, her style and she's always been supportive of us here at the LG. There's an interesting piece at her site – Heroine Sheik – that went up last week discussing homophobia and if the guys at Penny Arcade fit that mold.

Given we know of at least 2 BIG gaming sites with homophobic %$@&! at the helm, along with one major publisher whose PR seem to also fit the moniker I figured sure, maybe they are, but who's gonna care. Turns out they're probably not homophobic and that the comic at the center of the issue was based on something far more disturbing. Bonnie says 'More Soon', so we look forward to her thoughts following the comments she received.

Via [Heroine Sheik]

4 Responses to “Is Penny Arcade homophobic – Nah probably not”

1. Thefremen says:

   December 17, 2008 at 7:24 pm

   They made a similar blog post or comic about the original Guitar Hero: On Tour commercial.
   The On Tour commercials have been horrible and are almost certain to cause someone to vomit.
   Given their commentary and comics over the years (been reading since 2001) I think its safe to say that they are not in the least bit homophobic. Hell, you could make a stronger case for Buckley being homophobic and he did an interview with you gals.
   I have a sneaking suspicion that the blogger is hoping to get a link in the PA forum and eventually the PA frontpage.
2. Michael Abbott says:

   December 18, 2008 at 6:14 am

   I can easily see how, at first glance, this could be taken as offensive. But considered in context with PA’s history of thoughtful, progressive work, I read it as just another clever assault on gamer culture, prejudice, stupidity, self-absorption…you name it, they’ve all been targets of the satirical PA pen. I value their honest approach, and I personally didn’t respond negatively to this particular comic.
   As always, I appreciate the fact that you encourage us to think about this stuff; which, ironically, is probably just the reaction Gabe and Tycho are going for too.
3. Dylan says:

   December 18, 2008 at 6:15 am

   I think it would be naive to imagine that homophobia doesn’t exist in these companies to some extent.
   They’re notoriously male realms for a start, and though no…I’m not saying all men are homophobic, I do feel that the masculine persona leaves little room for anything but conventional, hetero thinking.
4. Thefremen says:

   December 23, 2008 at 7:05 pm

   “Companies”? Penny-Arcade is two men. One kinda chubby the other skinny. Not chubby like Scott who writes pvponline.com but still. They’re both fathers and given the contents of their creative work are in no way homophobic.
   Also, Dylan, you seem to be ignorant of the work of Dr. Alfred Kinsey or wholeheartedly disagree with it. I would like to know what expert studies support your assertions about the “conventional” thinking of Males.
   BTW, using terms like that seem to betray a bias towards thinking of gender roles in a manner similar to that of Protestant/Catholic norms.