In the current political climate, it can feel dangerous to express an opinion, or even to read someone else's.
BC was intended to be a friendly place to read, write and discuss TG fiction and that will always be its principal mission.
But part of being friendly is feeling safe. Accordingly, I'm going to modify BCs stance on political discussion, a small bit. Such discussion has never been outright prohibited, just frowned on lest it turn into personal attacks and violations of the Three Rules.
There will always be the slightly more freewheeling forum on BC chat called "Politics Here" -- Link: https://discord.gg/wzzMSKWx
But as for politics in BC blogs and forums, my inclination for now is to leave them up if they don't violate the Three Rules, but to remove them from the front page once people have had a first opportunity to comment on them. Not unpublished them, they will still be there and one will still be able to find them. They just won't be so prominent after a day or two.
We're all trying our best.
Hugs,
Erin
Comments
My own political statement...
If anyone is curious about my own politics, I've written a song expressing my views.
It's here on BC: https://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/fiction/109445/that-aint-right
Hugs,
Erin
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
Right now just writing TG
Right now just writing TG fiction is seen as a political attack by many on the right. Taking political posts off the front page is not going to stop the government from seeing it. All it is doing is pushing the TG community back into the shadows. Going back into the shadows is only going to make the TG community more marginalized. It is self-censorship and exactly what the leadership and politicians of the Republican Party wants. It is only going to make it easier for people to see members of the TG community as less than human. They want us in the shadows and to be seen as less than human.
Another part of being friendly is being able to share the issues which concern you. This is the only outlet for many people to share with people who have empathy about their place in the world. Not allowing the posts up about politics like the other posts is not making TG Closet a safe place. It is making it a place of fear. I understand how people can see it is an attempt to make people feel safe, but making people feel like they cannot even show opposition to what is going on in the world does the exact opposite.
We are living in horrid times. Instead of trying to ignore it by not letting others speak about it, those who do not want to see or hear about it should simply ignore those posts. It is too late to hide. The government already has access to what has been posted on here. Even if they don't know right now, they can use AI to review the posts on here.
Read what I wrote again
I'm allowing posts to the front page, they just won't be left on the front page for quite as long a time as other posts.
I think this is reasonable accomodation for people who don't want the politics up at all. I have to try to balance everyone's desires.
Hugs,
Erin
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
Bizarre
ICE is literally just right around the corner from my apartment. My feelings have nothing to do with Politics. I am told that other Presidents have alarmed people as much as the present one. The present demonstrations make no sense to me at all. As to politics in the last few days... if I start drinking, it might never stop. Dropping the microphone. Thanks Erin.
Gwen Brown
I believe...
My grandfather was correct is stating that,
Politicians are like diapers
We the willing, led by the unsure. Have been doing so much with so little for so long,
We are now qualified to do anything with nothing.
Been Said before, its like Hearding Cats
No matter what you do not everyone can be satisfied
Good luck, Erin
John in Wauwatosa