Firstly:
Thanks Jedi Merc! Really glad you like the new take on the Cantina. I like to think there are thousands of "galactic gin joints, pubs, and ale houses" out there full of mysterious exotic individuals. As for what's up my sleeve (looks down, Egad! these sleeves are short!) All will be revealed on Tuesday! I hope you (and everyone else) can wait that long!
Secondly:
Ok so here's a matter that just recently came to my attention. The much anticipated MMORPG Star Wars The Old Republic (when can we play this Bioware??!?! When!!!???) has decided that only heterosexual relationships (male+female) will be allowed in the game. I find this odd as with their first game, Star Wars KOTOR, they wrote in many different love interest options. The character of Juhani falls for Revan (if you play as a female) or if you kill Juhani her lover, Belaya shows up to avenge her. Mirax will flirt with and fall for the a female main character and Visas Marr will too. Now I myself am not homosexual, but that doesn't matter to me. There are plenty of homosexual people that enjoy Star Wars and are gamers alike. I myself happen to find female characters in general and especially in video games to be more interesting and often create a more balanced dynamic-especially amid the male-heavy gamer culture. That's just me. The creators and PR people for Bioware have met the threads and discussions that have sprung up on their boards about this very issue with "These terms (lesbian, gay, bi, homosexual, etc.) d not exist in Star Wars." And with that they lock down the threads and censor the discussions. I can understand people being hurtful, prejudiced, or inappropriate, there's nary a message board without that and people who troll, but they've also canned the non-offensive general discussions as well. Now they're not entirely correct either, that "these terms don't exist in Star Wars". While no one ever says them, nor do we see any obviously homosexual relations between any beings in the films, but there is the KOTOR game (Bioware's own game) and in the comic books there is a gay Mandalorian couple namely Goran and Medrit--too badass Mandos who happen to be together and have an adopted son. And why not? Even Marvel comics and DC comics have openly gay and lesbian characters. There are also a few elements of this with Hutt characters evident in the Legacy series for one. Ignoring the fact that people--any people, exist doesn't make them go away. If I were creating a video game I'd want as many players to feel welcome and want to play as possible especially an MMORPG which has a lot to do with community building. We seem to readily accept the whole "incest" dynamic in the OT films, and kind of never really talk about it. Which begs the question (or many questions) from Lucas. Namely, "Serously, what's up with that?" So if homosexuality "doesn't exist" in Star Wars, incest does? If we had never seen people of color in the OT films and/or the PT would they "not exist"? (Just some food for thought). If humans and human nature exist in Star Wars then all things that make us human, different, and who we are exist too, as far as I'm concerned.
I don't want to create any controversy, nor ruffle any feathers, nor am I putting forth any agenda. I happen to have homosexual friends, acquaintances, and even family members. As I'm sure most everyone nowadays does (whether you know it or not). I am an advocate of equality 100%. I like to poke at these kinds of issues. I do not intend to start any fights. Nor alienate anyone.
So I have decided that in a bit of a "protest" or at least to "call" Bioware on their ridiculousness to create the first ever (that I know of) openly Lesbian X-Wing pilot. To be unveiled in my Tuesday update. Complete with full back story. I am also going to post her and the reason for her development on my blog.
Her name is Kixxy Zoulou aka "Kixxy Lou" "K-Lou" "Kixx" or "Kay" to her squadron mates. She joined the alliance after the battle of Hoth. She earned the rank of Squadron Leader of Banshee Squadron a Wing of X-Wings that ran guard duty and escort missions ferrying Alliance supply convoys through the Kessel Run.
Tune in soon for Kixxy and more customs!
