ETB has evolved from what I understand was 10 years ago an all male game, to a game that has included as many as 4 females at once (not including one male playing a female), and as such, I think ETB has adjusted well to integrating girls into gaming. But as a girl gamer (which some might still call a minority), I feel obligated to post a couple of awesome articles as well as add my opinions in relation to these topics.
The Joy of Transgender Roleplaying
Len does an amazing job playing Jenny Olson and because of that, this is not in any way directed at him. It's actually directed at any new comers we might gain over the years. I had a terrible experience once in Jeanie's Malk's Glee game (or I should say anyone involved in that game had a terrible experience) with a guy named Tony who played a female toreador named Gala. Gala was as delicate a flower as you can ever imagine, but had absolutely no personality. Time spent roleplaying Gala involved trying on new clothes and in general lounging around and complaining about men. It was obvious this guy's idea of a female was a wallflower who was none too bright. It was rough. My character almost had to kill her. Wait, I don't remember... DID my character kill her? Or just make her run away?
Anyway, if you ever want to insult your female members of your roleplaying group, play a female stereotype. Vice versa for males. As for Jenny, she's awesome. When Len plays her, I see past Len right to Jenny and it's believable. So thanks, Len, for playing your female well.
A Column I Hoped I Wouldn't Have to Write
We don't have this problem in game. But we have all probably gamed in games where some player or NPC raping another player character has been more of a problem than the GM or acting player may have realized.
One game in particular comes to mind here: Mike's Darkened Mirror Mage game. Oy. Everyone involved remembers the session and I won't recount it here, because... I don't go there. It perhaps wasn't rape per se as much as it was sexual abuse, which isn't exactly a light topic either. I say if a GM can get to a point by using a plot device perhaps a bit less personal, then it's probably best to stay away from topics such as incest, rape, sexual abuse, etc. This particular game ended in the girls in the room practically shaking, and with the urge to get the hell out and take a loooong walk. The GM noticed immediately our lack of comfort and walked with us which in the end was helpful because it gave us the chance to talk rationally about how that topic was just NOT cool in a game.
Topics that are sensitive issues in real life are likely to be sensitive issues in game, and although we all like to pretend our player is a vicious blood sucking homicidal maniac (oh, it's just me?) the people playing those characters are still human. If you MUST go there, I'd run it by everyone first and do it only if that is the route you MUST take to get a certain point across.
As an addition to this, I want to make a side note here. I come across the verb "rape" almost every day being used to mean something other than rape. Like when someone's MORPH character just got mobbed and killed. Or someone's ventrue has been defamed horribly. Yeah, sure... it might be sort of LIKE rape. I know what you're saying. But the verb itself sends chills up my spine and I'd prefer it not be used unless it's necessary. There is no way someone's MORPH character getting mobbed can be compared to the actual crime of rape.
Bottom line: I'm at the gaming table to relax and have fun. Staying away from offensive material is probably best for us all.
Feel free to add opinions and links.
Stryck Wiki