gov't hides behind kids to get thier morality and church voters satisfied
i am deeply disturbed and alarmed by our government's recent crackdown on websites containing BDSM content and how this has affected more and more websites. The most recent news is that US Law Code 18/Section 2257 has now hit our bdsm/leather community online. This morning, in response to 2257, tribe.net sent a letter to all its members stating that any tribe.net member can now flag as "offensive"
any photo, event listing, discussion thread, or just mere words in a person's profile, and that the content pointed out would later be deleted.
Does this seem ridiculous? Perhaps. But tribe.net is only responding to the U.S.
Government crackdown on ANY website that contains sexually explicit content. To read the actual law, US Code 18 Section 2257 go to:
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/ts_search.pl?title=18&sec=2257
This law was originally created to crack down on child pornography, which i am certain all of us agree with. But the recent change in the law has set the US government upon us -- consenting adults. There can be NO MORE denial. The far right in America had to pick a new target, and WE, my leather and kinky friends, are it.
In His recent address at the Together in Leather Conference in Charlotte NC, Master Steve Sampson said, "The far right has lost the war against gays and lesbians. The new "beat 'em up and feel righteous" target is the SM community – WE ARE the new gays. With current legislation, the possibility of a witch hunt designed to hurt and destroy SM websites and activities is very real."
Master Steve is correct -- and it's already happened. The government is arresting and prosecuting owners of websites whose content includes BDSM related
pictures .. and in some cases, BDSM related words only. The erotic fiction website RED ROSE STORIES is facing obscenity charges after federal agents raided the owner's home on October 3rd, taking computer equipment and diskettes that contained all of their files and site information. In response, several website owners have decided to close down.
• Our own beloved MIDORI has removed her website, BeautyBound.com, citing fear of obscenity prosecution.
• The owner of three SM websites, known as GRANDPA DESADE, removed his websites from the Internet.
• SUICIDEGIRLS.COM announced they are self-censoring their materials over concerns about a possible obscenity crackdown
• The popular INSEX.COM has left America, is being run in another country, and has taken down all prior content
• An extension was made last month week, delaying enforcement of 2257 that some GAY MALE CRUISING WEBSITES say are threatening the use of nude photos, a staple of their popularity.
• And now, with TRIBE.NET changing what content they will allow, 2257 has reached our community's informational and educational resource sites.
Throughout all this 2257 craziness, the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF) has remained hard at work on our behalf, working on obscenity cases that are before
the United States District Courts, Appeal Courts and US Supreme Court
www.ncsfreedom.org/news/2005/
In His speech, Master Steve Sampson continued, "But we do have a voice and a choice.
Our way of life is being threatened and we have to act now to protect it."
This fight takes money and the time to take action is NOW. Please, i urge each and
every one of us who is into bdsm, kink, fetishes and/or the leather lifestyle to take
the time to join the NCSF, either as individuals or groups. Individual membership is
$25.00 and for groups and organizations it's $100. More details can be found on the
NCSF's website at www.ncsfreedom.org
i do not work for the NCSF. i am just a kinky leather slavegirl who is appalled and
disgusted with our government's right-wing, closed-minded, prudish attitude
towards CONSENSUAL alternative sexual lifestyles. i have listed my affilations and
credentials below for those who don't know me from Adam.
Right now the government is only coming after our websites. What's next? The
closure of our bdsm and leather yahoo groups? Our dungeon spaces? Our leather
bars? Please, don't buy into the saying "that would never happen in America.." If we
don't stand up now, we will be putting out the red carpet for history to repeat itself.
And let's not fool ourselves. Our toes are already on that carpet...First it was adult
porn producers. Then bdsm porn sites. Then online erotica sites. Then Pro-Domme
sites. Then gay dating sites. Now our online communities. What's next?
Please, will you join me in joining the NCSF now?
any photo, event listing, discussion thread, or just mere words in a person's profile, and that the content pointed out would later be deleted.
Does this seem ridiculous? Perhaps. But tribe.net is only responding to the U.S.
Government crackdown on ANY website that contains sexually explicit content. To read the actual law, US Code 18 Section 2257 go to:
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/ts_search.pl?title=18&sec=2257
This law was originally created to crack down on child pornography, which i am certain all of us agree with. But the recent change in the law has set the US government upon us -- consenting adults. There can be NO MORE denial. The far right in America had to pick a new target, and WE, my leather and kinky friends, are it.
In His recent address at the Together in Leather Conference in Charlotte NC, Master Steve Sampson said, "The far right has lost the war against gays and lesbians. The new "beat 'em up and feel righteous" target is the SM community – WE ARE the new gays. With current legislation, the possibility of a witch hunt designed to hurt and destroy SM websites and activities is very real."
Master Steve is correct -- and it's already happened. The government is arresting and prosecuting owners of websites whose content includes BDSM related
pictures .. and in some cases, BDSM related words only. The erotic fiction website RED ROSE STORIES is facing obscenity charges after federal agents raided the owner's home on October 3rd, taking computer equipment and diskettes that contained all of their files and site information. In response, several website owners have decided to close down.
• Our own beloved MIDORI has removed her website, BeautyBound.com, citing fear of obscenity prosecution.
• The owner of three SM websites, known as GRANDPA DESADE, removed his websites from the Internet.
• SUICIDEGIRLS.COM announced they are self-censoring their materials over concerns about a possible obscenity crackdown
• The popular INSEX.COM has left America, is being run in another country, and has taken down all prior content
• An extension was made last month week, delaying enforcement of 2257 that some GAY MALE CRUISING WEBSITES say are threatening the use of nude photos, a staple of their popularity.
• And now, with TRIBE.NET changing what content they will allow, 2257 has reached our community's informational and educational resource sites.
Throughout all this 2257 craziness, the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF) has remained hard at work on our behalf, working on obscenity cases that are before
the United States District Courts, Appeal Courts and US Supreme Court
www.ncsfreedom.org/news/2005/
In His speech, Master Steve Sampson continued, "But we do have a voice and a choice.
Our way of life is being threatened and we have to act now to protect it."
This fight takes money and the time to take action is NOW. Please, i urge each and
every one of us who is into bdsm, kink, fetishes and/or the leather lifestyle to take
the time to join the NCSF, either as individuals or groups. Individual membership is
$25.00 and for groups and organizations it's $100. More details can be found on the
NCSF's website at www.ncsfreedom.org
i do not work for the NCSF. i am just a kinky leather slavegirl who is appalled and
disgusted with our government's right-wing, closed-minded, prudish attitude
towards CONSENSUAL alternative sexual lifestyles. i have listed my affilations and
credentials below for those who don't know me from Adam.
Right now the government is only coming after our websites. What's next? The
closure of our bdsm and leather yahoo groups? Our dungeon spaces? Our leather
bars? Please, don't buy into the saying "that would never happen in America.." If we
don't stand up now, we will be putting out the red carpet for history to repeat itself.
And let's not fool ourselves. Our toes are already on that carpet...First it was adult
porn producers. Then bdsm porn sites. Then online erotica sites. Then Pro-Domme
sites. Then gay dating sites. Now our online communities. What's next?
Please, will you join me in joining the NCSF now?
posted by Steve | 12:26 PM
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