For the record, I don't believe his joke was transphobic. I only see a potential for transphobia if the reference to Caitlyn Jenner was in response to her trans status, and not a reference to a vague physical resemblance between the three people aided by extensive plastic surgery. The goof on Brett Michaels was a reference to the fact that he looks vaguely feminine, and the feminine point of comparison was Jenner. If we don't assume her status as a woman, the joke makes no sense. For instance, "... looks like Mickey Rourke tried to become Janice Dickerson" would have worked too. However, more people immediately know who Caitlyn Jenner is and how she looks, so from a comedy perspective, I see why she was the reference point Foster used. Why should Caitlyn Jenner be denied cultural icon status because she's trans? Isn't that transphobic?

"No... because we say so, cis scum!" Say the online mobs. It's might makes right thinking. Instead of a paradigm where accusations of hate have to be backed up by a reasonable explanation, all someone needs is a hundred accomplices to shame a person into silence.

When I was accused of transphobia, it was indescribably upsetting. My head, which was telling me to shut up and check my privilege, immediately went to war with my gut, which was saying "you let this narrative stand and you're doing a disservice to the trans people you personally know... also, PS: IT'S NOT FRIGGIN TRUE!" One transman I know recently said to me, with a shake of his head "I've seen your online stuff, and I can't figure out why people hate you so much."

Don't get me wrong, I understand that some trans people have had terrible experiences and are extremely sensitive. And trust me, I know how hard it is to try to explain to someone on the Internet that what they're saying is impacting your sensitivities. If we could control our sensitivities, many of us would. The thing is, it's important to draw the line between something that intrudes on a personal sensitivity, and something that is inherently hateful.

It's a huge stretch to say that the phrase Baker quoted was instantly and objectively hateful. His profile made him a convenient target to make an example of. Through him, a message was sent to other names in the video game industry: we're watching, and you could be next. So watch what you say.