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<blockquote data-quote="Hella_Tellah" data-source="post: 4526190" data-attributes="member: 52669">As mentioned up-thread, my players cross genders with their characters and do so with pretty decent verisimilitude.&nbsp; That doesn't mean it's easy, though, and I think Jeff's comment on the rarity of finding gamers capable of roleplaying in that way deserves a fair shake.Gender is a very deeply ingrained part of our culture.&nbsp; When acting out a role, casting off the most deeply ingrained parts of ourselves is the most challenging part, and few things affect us to the extent that our gender does.&nbsp; When we add in the problem of portraying another gender, in another time period, perhaps of another species, from an exotic location--those challenges come together in a way that can outclass even the most seasoned roleplayer.&nbsp; I doubt Robert DeNiro himself could play a female elven rogue from Waterdeep in a truly believable fashion.&nbsp; And I don't think anyone needs to be ashamed that watching another roleplayer's shortcomings at playing a character doesn't constitute a fun evening for them.There's also a significant &quot;ick&quot; factor for many people.&nbsp; No matter how comfortable I am in the Queer community, being hit on by an unattractive man doesn't make for a fun evening for me, either.&nbsp; It doesn't make me a homophobe any more than a woman who dislikes being hit on by unattractive men is a man-hater.&nbsp; Being approached romantically or sexually by someone in whom you are not interested is uncomfortable, and if your games go those places, be prepared to have your comfort zone tested.&nbsp; If you don't want your games to have that possibility open, it doesn't make you a bad player, or a homophobe, or anything of the sort.&nbsp; Focus on running and playing in the games you enjoy; we don't all game to have our limits tested.I game, in part, to test my limits as a storyteller and actor, so gender roles, sexuality, and other themes come up.&nbsp; But far be it for me or anyone else to say your games have to do the same.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Hella_Tellah, post: 4526190, member: 52669"] As mentioned up-thread, my players cross genders with their characters and do so with pretty decent verisimilitude. That doesn't mean it's easy, though, and I think Jeff's comment on the rarity of finding gamers capable of roleplaying in that way deserves a fair shake. Gender is a very deeply ingrained part of our culture. When acting out a role, casting off the most deeply ingrained parts of ourselves is the most challenging part, and few things affect us to the extent that our gender does. When we add in the problem of portraying another gender, in another time period, perhaps of another species, from an exotic location--those challenges come together in a way that can outclass even the most seasoned roleplayer. I doubt Robert DeNiro himself could play a female elven rogue from Waterdeep in a truly believable fashion. And I don't think anyone needs to be ashamed that watching another roleplayer's shortcomings at playing a character doesn't constitute a fun evening for them. There's also a significant "ick" factor for many people. No matter how comfortable I am in the Queer community, being hit on by an unattractive man doesn't make for a fun evening for me, either. It doesn't make me a homophobe any more than a woman who dislikes being hit on by unattractive men is a man-hater. Being approached romantically or sexually by someone in whom you are not interested is uncomfortable, and if your games go those places, be prepared to have your comfort zone tested. If you don't want your games to have that possibility open, it doesn't make you a bad player, or a homophobe, or anything of the sort. Focus on running and playing in the games you enjoy; we don't all game to have our limits tested. I game, in part, to test my limits as a storyteller and actor, so gender roles, sexuality, and other themes come up. But far be it for me or anyone else to say your games have to do the same. [/QUOTE]

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