The <TAINT> guilds on the Proudmoore server in World of Warcraft have had an agreement initiated by Blizzard to allow us to use the word TAINT in our various guild names. Please return to and honor that original commitment to help protect vulnerable and marginalized online communities like TAINT and The Rough Trade Gaming Community. Thank you.
Why is this important?
Blizzard has recently enabled players in World of Warcraft to more easily file a complaint about guild names that they supposedly find offensive. Because of our server choice (Proudmoore), our long history and relative infamy as the largest LGBT gaming group, we've historically been targeted as having an offensive guild name, often by the same person or persons. This is confusing, since Blizzard uses the word 'taint' in lore, quest titles and more.
Years ago, a Blizzard executive recognized this social dynamic and allowed RTGC/Taint to maintain the name we are globally recognized, both in WoW and in other games. We've recently been the subject, with the easier reporting tools, of increased "report and rename" attacks, and Blizzard GMs, unable or unwilling to abide by the earlier ruling, rescinded and is currently forcing a rename across ALL the guilds under the related TAINT banner. Blizzard, please return to and honor the original agreement that protected us. Thank you.
