Pride
Latest
Apple's latest Pride Edition Watch bands include a nod to the company's history
With the start of June a week away, Apple has announced two new Pride-themed Watch bands.
Google Pixel phones can now shoot Night Sight videos
In its latest feature drop, Google is bringing things like Locked Folder in Photos and Night Sight videos to Pixel phones.
Apple's latest Pride-themed Watch bands are more representative
Since 2016, Apple has released a limited-edition, Pride-themed Watch band and face, and this year is no exception. The company just announced the 2021 Apple Watch Pride Edition, with two new straps and a watch face that'll be available to everyone through a forthcoming software update.
Instagram's classic 'Polaroid' icons return for its 10th anniversary
When Instagram launched 10 years ago today, the app world was more... skeuomorphic. To celebrate those pre-flat design days, the social network has introduced an Easter egg that lets you revert back to the Polaroid icons of yore, including the original October 6, 2010 Land Camera 1000 logo.
Grindr will finally remove the app's ethnicity filter
Many users are asking why it's taken so long for Grindr to remove the ethnicity filter.
Apple's two new Pride-themed Watch straps include one from Nike
There might not be a Pride march for a while, but at least Apple is offering some accessories ready for when it does happen.
Google will work with LGBTQ+ groups on harassment policies
In the wake of YouTube's controversial decision not to pull videos containing homophobic and racist attacks, Google CEO Sundar Pichai wrote an internal email acknowledging that "the LGBTQ+ community has felt a lot of pain and frustration over recent events." While a few Google execs have already apologized for YouTube's decision, Pichai's email carries more weight given his position. The email, obtained by The Verge, also suggests that Google plans to conduct more internal discussions aimed at addressing its harassment policies.
YouTube greenlights documentary on the LGBTQ Pride movement
YouTube has greenlit a documentary that will focus on the impact the gay pride movement has had on the LGBTQ community. State of Pride will be directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman -- who worked together on The Celluloid Closet and the Academy Award-winning Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt -- and will feature interviews conducted by Raymond Braun, former YouTube LGBT marketing lead. He'll travel across the US, attending Pride events in major cities and smaller towns and interviewing individuals about how the movement has impacted them.
Apple's Pride-themed watch face is blocked in Russia
Russia's not made any secret of its stance on the LGBTQ+ community. It's banned comics, gotten rid of statues and has taken issue with gay emojis, all in the name of its "gay propaganda" law, passed in 2013. Now, companies that want to operate in the country and are otherwise advocates for LGTBQ+ rights are being forced to fall in line. As iOS developer Guilherme Rambo recently discovered, Apple's Pride-themed Apple Watch face has been "hardcoded to not show up if the paired iPhone is using the Russian locale."
Google creates VR montage of Pride parades around the world
Google has launched a new project to bring Pride parades around the world to people who can't physically be there. The tech titan calls the initiative #prideforeveryone and deployed employees from 25 different countries to capture their local LGBTQ communities' festivities using a 360-degree camera. Arjan Dijk, Google's VP of growth marketing and executive sponsor of Gayglers (a group of LGBTQ employees within the company), told USA Today that what they were "aiming to do is bring [Pride's] sense of excitement and this sense of community to people who normally would not be able to get to do that."
Facebook lets users 'celebrate pride' with rainbow filter
If you're a fan of the Supreme Court's ruling today that same-sex marriage is legal in all 50 states, Facebook has your profile-pride needs on lock. While logged into Facebook, head to facebook.com/celebratepride to superimpose a rainbow banner over your profile picture. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and plenty of other tech executives are celebrating the legalization of gay marriage today on social media: Apple CEO Tim Cook tweeted, "Today marks a victory for equality, perseverance and love," and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella similarly wrote on Twitter, "A historic moment and step forward for equality in America. #LoveWins." In a speech this morning, President Barack Obama characterized the Supreme Court decision as "justice that arrives like a thunderbolt."
WoW Moviewatch: Pride
Fair warning: This is a very, very long machinima, clocking in at over and hour and a half, and there is some NSFW language at various points in the film. If, however, you were looking for the ultimate in Siege of Orgrimmar story machinimas, this is it. We featured the trailer for Pride just before BlizzCon, and the movie itself came out on November 5, just as everything was beginning to kick off in Anaheim. However, the trailer has nothing on the full film, which features the story of a group of horde heroes who have let the Sha of Pride tear their group apart, but manage to pull together to achieve the impossible, and defeat Garrosh Hellscream. The film is a pretty amazing combination of Blizzard cinematics and voiceovers interspersed with the main story written by Suge. And on top of all of that, actual raid footage from the Siege of Orgrimmar was also used to full effect, showcasing guilds The Fallen and Blow fighting the 25m Heroic (now Mythic) version of Garrosh Hellscream and his cohorts. It's a pretty amazing film, and although there are a few voice actors with less than optimal microphones, it really doesn't matter so much in the long run. Pride may run a little long, but it's worth the watch. Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an email at moviewatch@wowinsider.com.
Gaystation 4 up for auction
In celebration of pride week in Sweden, retailer Webhallen is auctioning off a customized PlayStation 4 to support The Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Rights (RFSL). Designated the "Gaystation edition," the auction for the $400 console is already up to $1,630 (as of this writing). "For many young people, the world of games will become a refuge to escape the taunting or worse of real life. On Webhallen, we are gamers in heart and mind, and are keen that as many as possible have the opportunity to feel welcome and enjoy the world's largest and fastest growing interest: video games," notes the Webhallen post, with #thisisforthegaymers.
Apple shares video detailing participation in San Francisco Pride Parade
On June 29, the city of San Francisco held its 44th annual Pride parade, a cultural gathering of civilians and businesses showing their support for the LGBT community. Among those companies was Apple, who had thousands of employees -- including CEO Tim Cook -- show up to march in the festivities. Employees gave out free iTunes gift cards and wore special t-shirts to signify their support. Apple has posted a new video, set to Coldplay's "Sky Full of Stars" showing an overview of the company's experience during the Pride parade, from preparation to marching. In keeping with Apple's esthetics the clip is beautifully shot and edited. Here's the company's description of the video. On June 29, thousands of Apple employees and their families marched in the San Francisco Pride Parade. They came from around the world -- from cities as far as Munich, Paris, and Hong Kong -- to celebrate Apple's unwavering commitment to equality and diversity. Because we believe that inclusion inspires innovation. During the event Tim Cook tweeted out the following. Congrats to 5000 Apple employees/families who attended today's Pride parade.Inclusion inspires innovation.#applepride pic.twitter.com/4DncX8F6fO - Tim Cook (@tim_cook) June 29, 2014 Tim Cook has been a public supporter of LGBT equality cause, penning an editorial for the Wall Street Journal in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act last year. You can view Apple's Pride video below.
Facebook now lets UK users choose from over 70 gender options
Four months after it did so in the US, Facebook is now letting UK users choose new gender options. After working with two UK organisations, Press For Change and Gendered Intelligence, the social network added over 70 new terms, allowing you to select one of the new custom genders or add your own. Users can also choose a preferred pronoun: male (he/his), female (she/her) or neutral (they/their), which is reflected in birthday notifications and suchlike. As with all profile information, Facebook lets you hide anything you're not comfortable with sharing and says it will not disclose gender selections to advertisers. To update your profile, click the 'About' tab, then hit "Edit" next to the "Gender" option in the "Contact and Basic Information" section.
Halo Warthog gets rainbow colors in Seattle Pride parade
Halo's indispensable military buggy sided with Team Blue, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green and Violet at the Seattle Pride parade held on Sunday, June 30th.
Camelot Unchained is all about pride
When you play Camelot Unchained, Mark Jacobs wants you to be proud. Not just about your decision to play his game, but about every individual choice you made in playing that game. He wants you to have pride about your race, pride about your server, pride about your guild, possibly even pride about your choice of keyboard. That's the entire point of the latest development blog post: pride and the elements that build up to player pride. Jacobs argues that there are two sides to making every part of a character a source of pride. In many cases, such as with races and factions, it's important that the lore be appealing and resonant with players. In other cases, such as classes, it's more important that each feels powerful and unique while still feeling as if it needs something more. The entry goes into detail on several points about pride, ranging from factions to servers, and if you're eyeing the game in anticipation, it's worth looking through the points of pride.
The Daily Grind: Do you have faction pride?
A lot of games have factions, and for some players, that's all the thought you need to put into the topic. There are two factions in the game because the designers included two factions. You play a Defiant in RIFT because you wanted to play a Bahmi; the faction was just something that came with the race. You feel roughly as much emotional attachment to the Defiants as a whole as you feel to the box your pizza comes in. This is not universal. There are players for whom being a Templar in The Secret World is more important than just fashion sense and church trappings, and players who consider playing Imperial characters in Star Wars: The Old Republic as a choice to be part of Team Empire for better or worse. So what about you? Do you have pride for the faction you pick in games where it matters? Or do you look at it as a simple logistical choice with no real emotional weight? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
8th annual LGBT Proudmoore Pride celebration to be held this weekend
Here in the United States, the month of June is traditionally known as a month of celebration of pride by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. Around the country, major cities are erupting in parades, dance parties, and excellent interior design. But it's not just the real world that celebrates -- June is a time for celebration in Azeroth, too. Sponsored by The Stonewall Family (Alliance) and Taint (Horde) guilds, the eighth annual Proudmoore Pride celebration will be held this Saturday, June 16 on the Proudmoore (US) server. Lineup for the Proudmoore Pride parade begins at 11:00 a.m. server (2 p.m. Eastern/11 a.m. Pacific). Horde characters will line up at the Mor'Shan Ramparts in Northern Barrens; Alliance will meet at Honor's Stand in Southern Barrens. The parade begins at 11:45, with both factions scheduled to meet up in Booty Bay at 12:30 p.m. for a massive Disco Dance Party. There will be a special Pride edition of the WoW Factor transmog contest at 2:30 p.m. at the Stormwind Cathedral. All Alliance characters are encouraged to attend to show off their fiercest fashion and try to win a share of the 100,000 gold prize pool. If you haven't been to a Proudmoore Pride celebration before, I would recommend it -- it's quite the spectacle. Full details about Proudmoore Pride can be had at the official website, ProudmoorePride.com.
The Classifieds: 7th Annual Proudmoore Pride Parade
The Classifieds brings you weekly news from around the WoW community, including our famous Random Acts of Uberness shout-outs to players who make your WoW sessions memorable. June is typically designated Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) Pride Month, and for the seventh consecutive year, the celebration is spilling over into Azeroth on the Proudmoore server. World of Warcraft's two largest GLBT-friendly guilds The Spreading Taint (Proudmoore [US-H]) and The Stonewall Family (Proudmoore [US-A]) are co-sponsoring the Seventh Annual Proudmoore Pride Parade. Festivities start Saturday, June 25th at noon server (PDT). Horde players will meet at Mor'shan Rampart in the Northern Barrens to begin the parade; Alliance players will stage at Astranaar in Ashenvale. Both factions will then meet up at the gates of The Barrens and march together to Ratchet to board ships for the Booty Bay "after party." Players from all realms are encouraged to roll an alt on Proudmoore to participate -- both Taint and Stonewall will be creating visitors' guilds interconnected with each host guild's chat. Full details will be posted on the official website, ProudmoorePride.com.
