(Cali.) The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), Electronic Arts, and several other gaming companies are teaming up to host a panel this Saturday to discuss the presence of bullying and use of homophobic slurs in gaming.  

“These companies aren’t monoliths and are very much committed to providing a safe and fun environment for all their players – they’re just not all there yet,” wrote Justin Cole, the Director of Digital & Online Media for GLAAD and moderator for the event.

According to Cole, a 2006 University of Illinois survey of gay gamers found that 52.7 percent of those surveyed said the gaming community is “Somewhat Hostile” to gay and lesbian gamers and 14 percent said “Very Hostile.” As for the common insult “That’s so gay,” 87.7 percent of those surveyed said that they heard the phrase while gaming.

Cole also said that the gaming companies could make it easier for gamers to report such bullying, and to no longer prevent the use of the word “gay” or “lesbian” in games, which often prevents users in games to self-identify or create gay and lesbian groups and forums.

The panel is free to the public and takes place Saturday, July 18th, 2009, 11am – 1pm at Electronic Arts, 250 Shoreline Drive Redwood City, CA 94065.

Read the full San Francisco Chronicle story here. To find out more information about the panel, visit GLAAD’s website here.