Hello all! Founder/Leader of Dames of Destiny here. I wanted to touch on a few issues brought up in the comments here (not that I think they should have to be): 1. This clan is not sexist. The same as I wouldn’t get upset at most of the clans out there that have some kind of criteria to join, whether its gender, time zone, ability etc. Many of you who are in charge of clans or in one, I bet you don’t let people in that you don’t get along with or that don’t fit what you are looking for. But beyond that this clan DOES NOT exist to close females off from males in game, we do anything but that. We game with guys all the time, we have an ally clan, we are very close with the Dads of Destiny. The point is to just be a place where females in the game and find each other easier and for some that does mean beign able to more easily avoid some of the harassment that happens while gaming, not just from guys but from all gamers. Dames isn’t just about being a female, if you are a total jerk or cause issues as a Dame you will be removed. Its about tolerance and acceptance and creating a place to meet up. If a guy wants to start an all guys clan (which I promise already exists) or anybody wants to start any specific clan because they want to find others like them and see a need for it the Dames of Destiny fully support you and would not call you sexist in the least. Again, most clans have some requirements to be in them. 2. I emphasize we are not guy haters. This actually makes me laugh. We have hundreds of allies that are male that we truly get along with and we appreciate all the this community that stays positive and respectful to ALL gamers! Those who troll and are jerks, too bad, wish it was different, but we are better than that and choose to game with the good guys and girls alike. 3. Obviously there is a need for a clan like this, because the number of females who have commented and joined since this was put out saying this is exactly what they were looking for is overwhelming. The number of guys who have commented saying they have never even come across a female in Destiny yet… we have over 400 members and over 400 more pending now. We are out there and this helps us find each other and make connections with all gamers in a positive way. 4. Those who are requesting to join, please have respect and only request if you identify as female and truly do, do not troll please, do not disrespect those who actually do qualify. If you want to game with us join Safe Gamers, if you are safe enough. 5. Thank you Deej so much for you assistance and Bungie for your support. Doing community focuses are not about covering butts when they aren’t answering questions, which btw they do ALL the time, check the forums, check twitter, they are constantly working and answering and listening. Games take time! <3 These focuses are about showing the community what the community is doing, its part of the game, part of being part of this community and I think its awesome, whether we had gotten one or not. So many of you complain about not being able to find people to game with, well these help people do that! 6. We are backed up on requests which is AMAZING but please understand that means it will take some time to get to everyone. But we promise we will get to you all ASAP 7. Lastly thank you so much to all those in support of Dames, Safe Gamers, and more than that positive gaming in general. We all want to play this game, so why not do so in a fun environment instead of a toxic one? We are moving forward, we are making changes, the gaming world has so many bad connotations with it in general, lets keep making the change! <3 You all rock! <3 BelleBunny

Safe space??? I raid multiple times every week and I just find this notion of a 'safe space' absurd. Because almost every raid that I've played there's always a girl(s) in our group and players have always been respectful to each other and had good fun, ALWAYS. And I love the destiny community for this. Having a girls only clan is normal, nothing new here. There are plenty of girl only clans in cod as well. Its just that you stated 'safe space' which tarnishes the reputation of the destiny community which aggravates me.

The whole "all girl clan" is sexist and discriminatory by definition...no different than having an all black clan, all Japanese clan, all American clan. It causes controversy and probably not the best idea to put that as a headline on the front page of the destiny app. That area should be saved for updates on the game, what patches are being fixed and what lies in store for the future. In other words, the homepage should be saved for things that effect every person that plays the game not just girls. Save that for the community section for people interested in that. I think it's great you have a team of girl gamers that don't want to play with anyone but females. My team does not discriminate on any level. It doesn't matter what age, race or gender you are to apply, you just have to love the game and mesh well. It's not necessary to highlight that though on the front page for trollers. Did you really think that wouldn't cause controversy? Side note: I still don't have the ghorn...and I'm the last one on my team that doesn't have it...I have nearly 20 days played on the game with 3 different characters, and have done the nightfall and both raids on hard every week on all characters....beginning to think I will never get it...I'm losing hope...it's just "oh well" and I really hope I get it...DEEJ hook me up 😉

People are people, gamers are gamers. Male, Female.. Black white purple blue green. How about we all move on from this being an "issue". Do I support an environment for people that otherwise wouldn't have the courage to join? Yes. I'm a female, and part of an amazing clan that supports all non-jerks, gender aside. Would I have had the courage to do so without a husband by my side or if I had previous negative interactions? Maybe not. That said... being a female gamer doesn't mean I'm sugar spice and everything nice. I'll curse you out just like the next guy if something doesn't go my way. We are All. Just. People. Let's remember this and not take it to the extreme. Let's just give this clan it's 15 minutes. Just because I'm not a dad did I down on the DOD's. Dames deserve the same.

I love that people are saying " this the very meaning of sexism!?" (Except most are spelling it incorrectly). No this is the definition. sex·ism ˈsekˌsizəm/ noun noun: sexism prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex. synonyms:sexual discrimination, chauvinism, gender prejudice, gender bias "your gaming practices have generated numerous complaints about sexism, thus the Dames have created a clan that solves that problem" They worst problem I see here is not that there's a gender specific league but rather "men" acting like scorned children for no apparent reason. Let's put it simply. Women ( and many men) want to play the game with non aggressive, non aholes. Turns out most of those people happen to be women. So do the math. They have a coed clan too so relax. The other thing I can't stand is the "not all men" defense. No not all men are assholes. It doesn't need to be said. However there are soooo many that are and that make women feel unsafe. You may not be one, but honestly all that the "not all men" defense does is muddle the real issue. If they had to create a clan to game and feel safe and the people that made them feel unsafe are MEN. We as men need to be ashamed too. Would you want this sort of behavior aimed at your mother or sister or daughter or niece? Should I even have to say that last sentence? Shouldn't you already be appalled by your fellow gamers, people also traditional seen as lessers and nerds, being treated this way? Gamers should be a family, not people using the anonymity of the Internet to be a complete ahole to everyone. We all have so much in common. We are here playing under the same umbrella. Why try so hard to break that apart and end up feeling like you're sitting alone on the couch in the dark? Just saying...

Before joining the dames I hadn't encountered a single other woman in the game. I tried posting on lfg sites for other female players and someone suggested this clan. Since then I have had the great pleasure to get to know many other lady gamers. I know only a few women who play video games in real life so this was great for me. I regularly play destiny with many men and really enjoy that as well but sometimes I want to play with my fellow ladies and this clan helps me do that. Why is that so hard for some of you to understand? There's no hidden agenda, no denying you anything, just a place for ladies who like destiny to meet each other and play together.

For the record: 1. I am a dude. 2. I don't know the whole story about the Dames of Destiny. All I will say is this, Dames made their bed when they named themselves and made themselves a girl gamers only group. Exclusive groups are bound to get hate or harassment, they should know and EXPECT this. Whenever they play with others outside their group, random people will likely voice their opinions on them. Why? People aren't all the same. Before people start firing shots my way for 'defending the sexists a-holes', I believe the Dames group is good...for girl gamers that have been harassed and seek friendly people (other girls). Having all that attention (Community Focus and Bungie Bountes) is absolutely going to get the attention of EVERYONE (good gamers and harassers/trolls/haters alike). The point I'm getting at is: let the Dames (and to an extent, Bungie) handle the harassers, let them defend themselves. By all means, do not tolerate discrimination of any kind. The Dames made themselves a battlefield and the opposition has come. Let them fight.

It's not the fact it's an all female clan (which is sexist by definition) BUT, the fact it is being promoted and bragged about, which makes it worse... if they were a first to beat crota...blah blah blah they're all girls blah... not a big deal. But instead of all the other clans you could talk about for being nice, or helping people. They pick this one, I think destiny is a feminist game. Think of the NPC, queen (badass) queens brother (douchenozzle) master rahool (no explanation needed) and let's be honest who likes the dinklebot?. The only 3 npcs that aren't complained about are Eris Morn, The stranger, and the speaker who literally serves no purpose. I visit The guardian outfitter more than the speaker. #dirtyfeminists #nobodycares #goplayminecraft

Just stoping by to say Hi!!!!

Uhm, joined this flame war, not quite sure what's going on, explain? Edit: Read some more, apparently people are having some sort of temper-tantrum over an all girls clan because it's "sexist". I have one question, why does anyone give a shit?!? It's a damn game! If they want to make an all girls clan why does everyone start throwing a fit!? When I read this at first I thought to myself "are people this worked up over something like this??" so I posted this comment to make sure, in my opinion, there are more pressing matters in this world then this issue with a clan! This is ridiculous! If you got a problem with some clan just block them or something! Don't start some massive flame war!

I don't get the whole "safe environment" deal nor do I see any reason to exclude dudes. I run a twitch and get pretty hostile stuff, so I ban them. Doesn't bother me. It's a nut up or shut up moment. As a woman, I never join female only groups simply because they don't appeal to me. I love gaming with everyone, not exclusive groups. It just seems so anti social. Good for them. Now where's my update on these mother fudging glitches.

'Dads of Destiny' was made long before this group and no one kicked up a fuss over that one - that one where, not only do you have to be a male, but you also have to be a father too... How is that, an all male group, any different to this all female group? This entire thing calling 'Dames of Destiny' sexist when every other male only group doesn't even get questioned is completely hypocritical, and maybe it's not this clan that's sexist but you who's preaching that it is. At the end of the day though, people should be allowed to, and will, play with whoever they want to - be that male or female. As I'm sure every female gamer can agree with, we've all had our fair share of encounters with completely immature boys online who can't grow up enough to realise that we're not "female gamers", we're just gamers who happen to be female, but we don't have to stay and associate with them; there are plenty more open minded gamers out there to associate with who will actually appreciate us for being us, regardless of our gender. There shouldn't have to be a group of all female gamers to hide behind offering "protection" and "safety" just to warrant more women playing the game, though; it isn't men as a group that's the problem, it's just numerous types of misogynistic individuals that are the issue. We all have choices in life, and the moment you encounter someone like that, you should make the choice to leave and stop wasting your thoughts or breath over them. You don't need "an all female clan" to tell you that.