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[RebbyWriter]

Wait a second. All this talk of romance all of a sudden, and discovering one's sexuality, is...is...Solas romance confirmed? Did I miss something?

You will not be disappointed..

[Prince of Keys]

Spoiler

When I was in elementary school, I innocently suggested to a friend that two of the default Sims in the original Sims game--both female--liked each other and should kiss. She went along with my suggestion and it seemed like everything was fine, but her dad saw and got incredibly upset about it. He yelled at us and didn't explain why it was even wrong, but it stuck with me that things like that needed to stay secret because they weren't okay.

 

I didn't even attempt any same-sex relationships in games again (not like they're abundant by any means) until my first year of college, when I was having a rough time and needed a distraction. By chance I found out about Dragon Age and the fact that it had love interests--two of which were bisexual--and I picked it up. Not just because of the love interests, of course, but it really stood out to me. Being able to be the hero and just happen to have a significant other of the same gender and not feel like I was doing something wrong was so nice and it meant (and still means) so much to me. I never even realized how much the time with the Sims stuck with me until I played Dragon Age, to be honest, even though I remembered it years and years later.

 

So yes, thank you so much to Bioware for all that you've done. It means a lot to people and I don't think you get to hear it enough.

 

I normally just lurk, but I wanted to pop out for a second and just say that all of you are wonderful and this is probably my favourite thread on the BSN. I don't remember a time when I've ever felt uncomfortable being here, and everyone is so sweet and genuine. Thank you. c:

[Karin Weekes]

Hi - if it's confessions time, I will fess up that this is the first time I've posted on the BW Forum since 2010 (or so my now-reactivated login information tells me), but I couldn't read all this and not say thank you to all of you, so much, for sharing your experiences and being so positive. Y'all are awesome.

[DragonRacer]

I've been lurking on this thread for a while now, but I finally decided to make an account so I could add to this bit of conversation!

 

When I first played Mass Effect, I wasn't really sure on my orientation, but I leaned more towards being straight than anything else. I'd never really been attracted to a lady before, but MAN did Tali prove me wrong. She was so gosh darn cute I couldn't help but have a huge crush on her. I'll admit, I have crushes on LOTS of Mass Effect and Dragon Age characters, male and female, but the ladies have really won me over. Especially Isabela, she's my favorite LI out of all of them. And now that I've figured out that I'm asexual, I'm pumped as hell to see an ace character (especially an ace LI, I'd probably cry if there was one) in future games! Bioware's really helped me come to terms with my identity, and though I've just gotten into ME and DA fairly recently, I plan on being a long time fan.

 

Oh, wow, how did I miss this?

 

First off, thank you for joining and WELCOME to the BioWare Forum and the Solas Thread. We have virtual flower head garland wreath things that Cat Lance usually hands out, so I will awkwardly crown one on you and offer you a place amongst our circle of awesomeness.

 

Secondly, thank you for sharing your story. It helps to reinforce for us all that acceptance is crucially important and that allowing such a personal, interactive medium as gaming to let people explore themselves in a "safe place" is very crucial for everybody, but especially for the LGBT community where widespread social acceptance is still a fight to move forward. Every story shared just reinforces more to me as an ally and to others as fellow allies and/or members that these sorts of things matter, they have importance. Even if it's "just a video game". Even the smallest, littlest thing can make a huge difference and impact on someone's life. And that is ALWAYS WORTH THE EFFORT. Always.

 

Thank you, once again and most sincerely, and I hope you stick around to chat with us more.

[JadePrince]

But the question remains, just WHAT kind of unicorns are we?

 

Obviously we're a combination of both. Bog unicorns that trail beautiful rainbows behind them.

[Phate Phoenix]

Wait a second. All this talk of romance all of a sudden, and discovering one's sexuality, is...is...Solas romance confirmed?

 

Officially, no. But yesterday, his voice actor hinted that he might be. So, we're riding a bit of a high and it's translating into wonderful fluffy conversations and love. A list of questions asked, answers given, and links to tweets is here.

 

 

 

Spoiler

When I was in elementary school, I innocently suggested to a friend that two of the default Sims in the original Sims game--both female--liked each other and should kiss. She went along with my suggestion and it seemed like everything was fine, but her dad saw and got incredibly upset about it. He yelled at us and didn't explain why it was even wrong, but it stuck with me that things like that needed to stay secret because they weren't okay.

 

I didn't even attempt any same-sex relationships in games again (not like they're abundant by any means) until my first year of college, when I was having a rough time and needed a distraction. By chance I found out about Dragon Age and the fact that it had love interests--two of which were bisexual--and I picked it up. Not just because of the love interests, of course, but it really stood out to me. Being able to be the hero and just happen to have a significant other of the same gender and not feel like I was doing something wrong was so nice and it meant (and still means) so much to me. I never even realized how much the time with the Sims stuck with me until I played Dragon Age, to be honest, even though I remembered it years and years later.

 

So yes, thank you so much to Bioware for all that you've done. It means a lot to people and I don't think you get to hear it enough.

 

I normally just lurk, but I wanted to pop out for a second and just say that all of you are wonderful and this is probably my favourite thread on the BSN. I don't remember a time when I've ever felt uncomfortable being here, and everyone is so sweet and genuine. Thank you. c:

 

   

 

Spoiler

Thank you for sharing. [HUGS] Those moments stick with you for a long, long time, and it's the best thing when you overcome them.

[Fialka]

Obviously we're a combination of both. Bog unicorns that trail beautiful rainbows behind them.

See, I was going to say... I WANT to be the rainbow unicorn, but I'm actually the morbid, twisted zombie unicorn in reality.  But this works too 

[DragonRacer]

Hi - if it's confessions time, I will fess up that this is the first time I've posted on the BW Forum since 2010 (or so my now-reactivated login information tells me), but I couldn't read all this and not say thank you to all of you, so much, for sharing your experiences and being so positive. Y'all are awesome.

 

YAY! Hi and welcome, Karin!

[RebbyWriter]

Seriously guys, I need to leave this thread. I need to make food. I need to finish my book and yet...I cannot. The power of the Solas thread compels me to watch this thread evolve...and to give all my likes.

 

I was so afraid to come out of lurking, but I actually made an account for this place. I have no regrets. I have been pushed out of so many places on the internet because I felt too much anger so this is a nice change.

 

 

Oh hai! Thanks for stopping by, Karin!

[Phate Phoenix]

I've been lurking on this thread for a while now, but I finally decided to make an account so I could add to this bit of conversation!

 

When I first played Mass Effect, I wasn't really sure on my orientation, but I leaned more towards being straight than anything else. I'd never really been attracted to a lady before, but MAN did Tali prove me wrong. She was so gosh darn cute I couldn't help but have a huge crush on her. I'll admit, I have crushes on LOTS of Mass Effect and Dragon Age characters, male and female, but the ladies have really won me over. Especially Isabela, she's my favorite LI out of all of them. And now that I've figured out that I'm asexual, I'm pumped as hell to see an ace character (especially an ace LI, I'd probably cry if there was one) in future games! Bioware's really helped me come to terms with my identity, and though I've just gotten into ME and DA fairly recently, I plan on being a long time fan.

 

Hey! Asexual fist-bump!  I will admit there were lots of tears when I heard Bioware had discussed asexual romances.

 

Welcome to the forums!

[Dracarys]

But the question remains, just WHAT kind of unicorns are we?

 

I think it depends on the day. I'm usually one of these guys.

 

 

I really need to work on the whole "majestic" thing...

 

P.S. *waves at David and Allan and Karin and all the lovely BioWare people* Thank you for all the amazing work you do!

[Science To Do]

It's... a little odd to see a thread where folks are speaking reasonably, from the heart as well as the head.

 

What is this? Narnia? Is this thread where unicorns come to chat?

 

I kid. Thanks for a good read.

Yes.

 

Seriously, though, thanks for dropping by and thanks for the work you do. 

 

Kinda late to the party, but here's my own little contribution....

Spoiler

I live in a small town sadly renowned for its many stupid people. There is a lot of hate for the LGBT community. A boy about my age was severely beaten on the way home from school by another boy about my age for the sole reason that he was gay. One of the teachers at my school would clearly send judgmental looks in the direction of my gay classmates and friends.

 

I've never seen anything wrong with LGBT people. I have wonderful gay and bi friends, and wouldn't let them go for the world. It's just so infuriating to see some idiot just walk right up to them and start ranting about how they're going to go to hell, or how they should repent and blah.

 

I love Bioware games. I love the stories. I love the characters. I love that LGBT individuals actually exist in these fictional worlds, and not ignored as they are in so many others. I love that they are treated as any other character would be treated in the course of the story.

 

Thanks, Bioware. 

 

Whoa. I have never spent so much time on a post.

 

Also, unicorns.

[ParagonPunk]

I've been lurking on this thread for a while now, but I finally decided to make an account so I could add to this bit of conversation!

 

When I first played Mass Effect, I wasn't really sure on my orientation, but I leaned more towards being straight than anything else. I'd never really been attracted to a lady before, but MAN did Tali prove me wrong. She was so gosh darn cute I couldn't help but have a huge crush on her. I'll admit, I have crushes on LOTS of Mass Effect and Dragon Age characters, male and female, but the ladies have really won me over. Especially Isabela, she's my favorite LI out of all of them. And now that I've figured out that I'm asexual, I'm pumped as hell to see an ace character (especially an ace LI, I'd probably cry if there was one) in future games! Bioware's really helped me come to terms with my identity, and though I've just gotten into ME and DA fairly recently, I plan on being a long time fan.

 

I'm glad you de-lurked, welcome.

 

Tali was my original space wife.   I myself am asexual (Biromantic to be exact) so I'm glad to see more people figuring themselves out. As for Bioware and asexual characters. Mordin (I know, I know. When will Punky stop talking about Mordin? Answer: never.) was a character who hit home for me even if the ace thing was race-based it was still nice. Honestly I am so stoked for a possible ace character, and a romance which doesn't require sex in Inquisition. 

[sandalisthemaker]

I will chime in and say how grateful I am to BioWare for allowing me to play as a hero that shares my RL orientation. Having positive representation instead of having my sexuality treated as a joke or something that is inferior or gross is so great to see.

[JadePrince]

Hi - if it's confessions time, I will fess up that this is the first time I've posted on the BW Forum since 2010 (or so my now-reactivated login information tells me), but I couldn't read all this and not say thank you to all of you, so much, for sharing your experiences and being so positive. Y'all are awesome.

 

Thank YOU for being part of a company that cares. Meeting you and the others at GaymerX really just solidified my feelings that Bioware is the best game company out there right now. And welcome back! Hope to see you around more often.

[Fialka]

I think it depends on the day. I'm usually one of these guys.

 

 

I really need to work on the whole "majestic" thing...

Yeah, I don't think you're supposed to puke them out... You need to work on your form 

[Felya87]

I can't say DA or ME gave me help with my sexuality...but surely helped me putting myself in "someone else shoes".  even if I never finished the run with a gay character, (but it was mosly because it felt I was making the same romance (zevran) with another character, since I had already romanced him with a female character) I really liked the chance to be there. It was a possibility I had explored, even it not finished. and it was very interesting.

[Nocte ad Mortem]

I'm really happy to see the devs saw our confessions! Thank you guys for all the incredible work you've done and the chance you took being inclusive when many developers wouldn't. It means so much to many of us. And thank you again to those who've stopped by, because we know you're all very busy making an awesome game for us. You guys are amazing and you deserve to hear that more. It's unfortunate to see some actually surprised by the positive feedback and stories. Those with a gripe tend to be the loudest, I guess. I know that I can be kind of a complainer sometimes, too, but if I am, it's only because I feel like Bioware is one of the only sources in media that will actually listen to us. I hope the majority of my feedback to you guys will always read that I know you're trying your hardest to be truly inclusive and that I love you guys for that. 

[Chrys]

Oh, wow, how did I miss this?

 

First posts have to be approved by a mod so that post showed up upthread after several more had been posted

 

@Pandragony Welcome to the forum

[Chrys]

Hi - if it's confessions time, I will fess up that this is the first time I've posted on the BW Forum since 2010 (or so my now-reactivated login information tells me), but I couldn't read all this and not say thank you to all of you, so much, for sharing your experiences and being so positive. Y'all are awesome.

 

Thank *you*, Karin, for giving us this awesome game and experiences The negative people tend to be loudest but there are plenty of positive voices around.

[ParagonPunk]

Hi - if it's confessions time, I will fess up that this is the first time I've posted on the BW Forum since 2010 (or so my now-reactivated login information tells me), but I couldn't read all this and not say thank you to all of you, so much, for sharing your experiences and being so positive. Y'all are awesome.

 

Welcome to our humble abode, Karin. 

And I'd like to thank you for all the wonderful work you do. It means a lot that so many devs have stopped by, really. I know your all busy creating a wonderful -and probably stressful- game and sometimes the negative can seem is louder than the positive, but I'd just like to say thanks. 

 

I managed to type this after squeeing at Sheryl Chee liking one of my previous posts.

[mindoirs]

Spoiler

^ I felt a bit out of place because I haven't really struggled with my sexuality (so far, I am 17) and everyone's stories were so touching and personal.

 

Despite being straight, I have always been very open and accepting of different sexualities as I explored the internet at a very young age, befriending all sorts of people of different sexualities and identities. But Bioware games have opened up my eyes even further, exposed little thoughts in the back of my head that I wondered as to why they were there. And I realized that although I was generally accepting and open about this type of thing, there is always room to grow and to mature and to educate yourself. Being very strongly into feminism and defending gay rights, I've started in my own home with two parents who, because of Hispanic culture and the way children grow up, have exhibited prejudice. My mother has even gone as far as thinking that I am a lesbian in the past, because I'm very comfortable with my sexuality and tend to express when I find a guy attractive as much as when I find a girl attractive. And although I assured her that I wasn't, I sat down and I talked to her that even if I was or if perhaps I discover that I am Bisexual later down the road, it's Not A Bad Thing. Although she is much older, my mom and anyone else at her age and older still has so much room to further expand their views and to educate themselves; and I want my parents, who are both terrific people, to really become educated on the subject. My mom now is totally accepting of the possibility and tells me that she will love me the same regardless, because in her own words, "why wouldn't any human?" I've also done my best at school, and 2 years ago I presented a speech about minorities in Debate class and was appalled when someone interrupted it to tell me that Asexuality wasn't real...my speech went on far longer than it had to because I addressed that instead.

 

Although I can't say I have struggled with my own sexuality, Bioware games have taught me how important it is to try and educate others and to spread acceptance and love, and how important it is to find a comfortable space. Media such as Dragon Age, Mass Effect, Orange Is The New Black, and more...they provide that truly comfortable place where I feel represented and I can trust that I will be represented properly. I did grow up struggling with dealing that I am not White and that once I exit the safe bubble of Southern Florida, that I will face racism out there, but things like what Bioware does makes me feel confident in who I am, no matter who I ultimately find out that I will be. Representation matters SO much. Sexuality is something that needs to be discussed. Sexuality is not something that should "go unsaid because it doesn't define characters". Yes, it does not define someone. But it is a part of an individual. It should not go silenced. And I feel happy to see all of you who have overcome difficult times as well as everyone who has provided me and everyone else on here a comfortable space.

 

It's just...really nice to see these things treated as normal. And I think that when they are represented everywhere else just as Bioware achieves and sets their mind to do so, I think that's when acceptance will be achieved. There's no company out there like Bioware.

[RynJ]

I can't believe what this spiraled into, but I love it!

 

As a friend of mine likes to say: never underestimate the power of art. It has always been a way to connect people to the world around them and to others in ways they never were before. And I most certainly count video games as art, even if most don't consider it art in the traditional sense.

 

Cheers to BioWare and cheers to all the fans who pulled something meaningful out of our fun hobby!

[Astelspirals]

guys.. thank you everyone. this really warmed my heart. i've been very blah since SDCC (human interaction overload..), and seeing just how many people have been touched like i have by DA makes me happy (and you all very nearly made me cry). 

 

strangely, this is one of the few game series i DON'T mind playing a straight female. normally my default pc is male because i simply have a lot of trouble playing female and being romanced by a male (mostly because of my own gender issues). but not so in DA. while i fully admit, i have yet to do any playthrus as a straight female character, i actually have plans to do it, and am actually excited to. it's very novel. but i just love the fact that i can play a character and be completely comfortable in their sexuality, and how most of the characters have no problems with the genders of you and your romance

 

also, to get a little bit about Solas in here.. i've been asked quite a bit, but the answer is yes. i did shave my head for my Solas cosplay (but seeing as how my hair is normally somewhere between default male Shep and Alistair in length, it was no great loss.) 

[JadePrince]

I can't believe what this spiraled into, but I love it!

 

As a friend of mine likes to say: never underestimate the power of art. It has always been a way to connect people to the world around them and to others in ways they never were before. And I most certainly count video games as art, even if most don't consider it art in the traditional sense.

 

Cheers to BioWare and cheers to all the fans who pulled something meaningful out of our fun hobby!

 

This is why I can't take someone seriously who says "It's just a game", because, clearly, as all the stories we've shared here (and in other threads, and at conventions, and on personal blogs, etc etc) prove, it's NOT "just a game" to many many folks. And it's wonderful that the devs understand and appreciate that.