Xbox Live today finds itself once again at the centre of a gay rights storm, the homosexual gaming community up in arms after one player was banned from the service after admitting she was a lesbian online.

Having identified her sexual preference via her Live profile, ex-Live player Teresa was harassed by other players who plagued her across various game maps, before she was eventually banned for causing 'offense'.

When Teresa complained, she was told by officials that her stance had been offensive to other players.

"I was harassed by several players, 'chased' to different maps/games to get away from their harassment. They followed me into the games and told all the other players to turn me in because they didn't want to see that crap or their kids to see that crap," Teresa reveals.

She continued: "Microsoft does nothing to stop this or prevent it, but instead sides with the homophobes. No one will help me get the word out about Microsoft's anti-gay policy. Not even the HRC who says has a positive image with them. Not to me it doesn't!"

Microsoft say they are looking into this controversy, Live moderating chief Stephen Toulouse acknowledging the problem via Twitter: "Expression of any sexual orientation (straight or gay or otherswise) is not allowed in gamertags. However we've heard from the user-base they want that capability, so I am examining how we can provide it in a way that wont get misused."

By Luke Guttridge