A serious request regarding anti-LGBT+ posts on this site.

[Leon TrotSky]

You'll no doubt be aware of a certain incident today when a certain member posted content clearly indicative for their disdain and hatred for LGBT+ people, and yet no action appears to have been taken. This isn't the first incident I've seen, and often enough, when I ask why nothing has been done, I'm told there isn't a specific rule against it.

Checking the (outdated and unmaintained) WS rules, I find this (bolding mine)

5) Offensive Material: No nudity is allowed on WrestlingSmarks Forums. No offensive material whatsoever is allowed and neither are offensive posts about someone’s race, sex, religion, age etc. Keep the swearing to a minimum aswell. Keep it clean around the forums.

I know the "etc" covers a lot of ground, but apparently gender and sexual orientation doesn't seem to be part of it This is where I'd comment "even if every base can't be covered, there should be something where the staff reserves the right to ban toxic members even if they didn't break a specific rule"... but turns out there is

The staff reserve the right to remove or alter your posts and threads at any time for any reason. We also reserve the right to ban, whether permanently or temporarily, at any time for any reason.

So the real question is: why isn't persistent homophobic/transphobic posting on this site being stopped? And for that matter, why isn't there a specific definition of what all sorts of bigotry are so it's made clear what isn't allowed?

 

[RDK]

You'll no doubt be aware of a certain incident today when a certain member posted content clearly indicative for their disdain and hatred for LGBT+ people, and yet no action appears to have been taken. This isn't the first incident I've seen, and often enough, when I ask why nothing has been done, I'm told there isn't a specific rule against it.

Checking the (outdated and unmaintained) WS rules, I find this (bolding mine)



I know the "etc" covers a lot of ground, but apparently gender and sexual orientation doesn't seem to be part of it This is where I'd comment "even if every base can't be covered, there should be something where the staff reserves the right to ban toxic members even if they didn't break a specific rule"... but turns out there is



So the real question is: why isn't persistent homophobic/transphobic posting on this site being stopped? And for that matter, why isn't there a specific definition of what all sorts of bigotry are so it's made clear what isn't allowed?

Sorry you had to deal with that Sky, it's unfortunate this hasn't been dealt with and doesn't speak very favorably to the moderating here despite the fact I actually like a lot of them. I've been banned (correctly) for less than the constant barrage of insulting content this guy has gotten away with today.

 

[Grimoire Lenin]

There's ongoing discussion being had rn.

 

[Hidden Blaze]

Just know, I agree with this personally. So I am 100% on your side Sky, and anyone else who has an issue.

 

[Deezy]

Keep the swearing to a minimum aswell

I don't like this one.

 

[Rosie]

You'll no doubt be aware of a certain incident today when a certain member posted content clearly indicative for their disdain and hatred for LGBT+ people, and yet no action appears to have been taken. This isn't the first incident I've seen, and often enough, when I ask why nothing has been done, I'm told there isn't a specific rule against it.

Checking the (outdated and unmaintained) WS rules, I find this (bolding mine)



I know the "etc" covers a lot of ground, but apparently gender and sexual orientation doesn't seem to be part of it This is where I'd comment "even if every base can't be covered, there should be something where the staff reserves the right to ban toxic members even if they didn't break a specific rule"... but turns out there is



So the real question is: why isn't persistent homophobic/transphobic posting on this site being stopped? And for that matter, why isn't there a specific definition of what all sorts of bigotry are so it's made clear what isn't allowed?

I completely agree.

I've said this in the chat and I'll say it again: The whole defense of "Freedom of speech" is on a website is toothless. It is not a government, we are a site full of people from various backgrounds, countries, and even sexual orientations and identification. We have a right to say "Hey, you're being an ass, get out." And while it makes sense people have clashing views on Politics etc, there is still a line where it crosses into straight up homophobia, transphobia, sexism, etc. I've said this before, I'm only out as transfemale online in "most" spaces. Only places really are where there is a direct line to people I deal with face to face where I am not comfortable coming out yet. But WS was the first place (or one of) that I instantly said who I was and you all seeming accepted that so I thank you. It was something I couldn't feel comfortable doing on WWEF for a long time (minus secretly changing my gender on the site to female and occasionally using different pronouns for myself). But an inability to really act on this which is becoming toxic is a bit concerning.

I hate to use this word, but the site needs to be a "safe space" for people of different walks of life and that buzz-word people make fun of (I'm looking at you, Dan Lambert) comes down to "Don't be a dickhead" and I think that line was crossed weeks ago.

 

[JakeYourBooty]

I don't like this one.

I’m out on that


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Rosie]

I don't like this one.

But how can we be visited by Danhausen!?

 

[Deezy]

But how can we be visited by Danhausen!?

He's in AEW.....they got a bunch of potty mouths.

 

[Rosie]

He's in AEW.....they got a bunch of potty mouths.

But has DANHAUSEN swore? No. He just curses people...

Okay maybe time to get this thread back on track before Danhausen memes take it too far.

 

[Chris]

He's gone. Only for a month, hopefully longer after that but we have to maintain due process

 

[Jimmy King]

This guy should follow the advice of Thumper from Bambi.

 

[Smart Marx]

The easiest and most efficient thing every member can do is use the report button if you see something that you feel is out of bounds. These start discussions in the staff room and if the content is actionable, we’ll take action.

I’ve even instructed my staff to do the same. I wasn’t online until the tail end of the conversation in the chat, but as soon as it was made clear no one found that behavior tolerable actions were taken.

What we usually like to do is have a sliding escalation of bans from 3 days to a month to 3 months to permanent, but his consistent violation of our “leniency” had us jump that to a month. Hopefully when he comes back he won’t continue to test us.

 

[Rosie]

I'll enjoy the month of peace

 

[Smart Marx]

You’ll get four if he doesn’t learn his lesson.