Women and “Passing” in Online Games

Shawna Kelly

Much like the homosexual “passing” for heterosexual in a heterosexual-centric world, some female game players use similar methods to avoid questions about their sexuality in online games. Interviews of female players from World of Warcraft indicated that they made specific choices regarding language, technology use, and sometimes appearance in order not to be labeled female. Most striking, interviewees developed a preferred playing style or coping strategies to confront or evade perceived stereotypes about their gender and incorporated these strategies into their everyday gaming experience.