Electronic Arts to host one-day conference to discuss industry LGBT issues

Electronic Arts will host a one-day conference next week including panels and open dialogues on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues in the video game industry, the company announced today.

The invite-only LGBT Full Spectrum event will be held on March 7 in New York City. The event will include talks on topics including the creation of "authentic" LGBT characters and game scenarios, establishing work environments that are friendly towards LGBT employees and the origins of homophobia in video games.

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo will host a talk on creating an "inclusive culture" for LGBT employees and the legalization of same-sex marriage. Members of LGBT support group the Human Rights Campaign, private social working group the Ford Foundation and industry professionals will also be in attendance to discuss equality issues within the gaming community.

Last fall representatives from EA told GamesIndustry that the LGBT themes in the company's titles and its support of the LGBT community were a non-issue among investors. In November, EA and Microsoft were named among the most LGBT-friendly work environments by the HRC.