Microsoft pulled the controls right out from under an Xbox Live user, who outed herself as a lesbian, banning her account. Then the company copped to and defended the discriminatory act.

A Microsoft spokesperson told Ars Technicathat gay or straight, discussion of your sexual orientation in your profile is verboten, but "don't ask, don't tell" doesn't work too well.

When contacted for comment regarding the woman whose account was banned, Microsoft referred to its X Box Live Terms of Use, which allow for no admission of sexual orientation.  "As stated in the Xbox LIVE Terms of Use, a member may not create a gamertag or use text in other profile fields that include comments that look, sound like, stand for, hint at, abbreviate, or insinuate content of a potentially sexual nature," a spokesperson told Ars. "Profiles that do are asked to change the language and suspended until changes are made. In regards to sexual orientation, for gamertags or profiles we do not allow expression of any type of orientation, be that hetero or other. Players can, however, self identify in voice communication where context is more easily explained to all players involved."

It appears the woman's account was closed because a group of people complained that stating she was a lesbian was not appropriate for children who might be Xbox Live.

"As if Xbox live is really appropriate for kids anyways!" wrote the woman whose account Microsoft nixed. "My account was suspended and Xbox live did nothing to solve this, but instead said others found it offensive."