I do feel though that once people know you’re a girl, guy players do give you a certain leniency that they don’t really extend to their male counterparts. For instance, though my guild knows I’m married, I’m pet named “Hon” and “Babe” by several - and frankly I’ve never been the super feminist kind so if their pet naming me gives me a get out jail free card when I wipe the party then let me be your damsel in distress.

However on the flip side of that, I think that if I had not proven myself as competent player, a worthwhile member of the guild, and showing a sense of humor I don’t think the guys would take the liberties they do. I know there were no pet names for one of the other female players (currently taking a break) unless you count “stupid b**ch who I wish would just shut the hell up” as a nickname. She could play her class however, which was her only saving grace.

So all in all, yes there’s gonna be that guy who’s a perv and wants to see your pixelation but most guys seem fine with hearing a female voice in vent and most of the major serious raiding guilds have women in their ranks. I know for a fact Fusion does and I know for a fact Temporary Insanity does. Having girly parts has not hindered their ability to be hardcore raiders and those are guilds who don’t tolerate b*llsh*t from their members, they value skill over all else. I’ve also been a forum troll enough to see that on forums people don’t gender care - it was actually really sweet when there was an entire thread dedicated to a regular female poster on her baby’s birth. All the trolls (and blues) were waiting with anxious breath to hear that she and her new baby were doing well.

So basically gaming is like life, if you’re a cool chick in real life then people will like and respect you for that, if you’re moody and b**chy in real life, well that’s going to translate too and you ma have a harder time finding a group.