I first posted this about another topic some months ago but there is a new need for it and I have therefore edited it.
If you have a problem with someone else on the site, understand that that is not the site's problem as long as that person is obeying the very simple rule of keeping it friendly. If you have a problem with a certain kind of story, genre, theme or element, that, too, is your problem. Please don't comment on stories to complain about the genre, theme or elements used because the next person probably dislikes your favorite type of story as much as you dislike whatever it is you dislike at the moment.
"BigCloset is a friendly place to read, write and discuss Transgender Fiction" and anyone who is willing and able to abide by that simple credo is welcome. Period. Respect authors and other readers enough to give their tastes the consideration you would want to have shown to your tastes.
Politics, religion and personality conflicts are not topics for public dispute -- though they can be mentioned in a friendly way and they can be the subject of fiction. There are very few content restrictions on fiction here at BigCloset, they have not seemed necessary. This includes genres, themes and elements used in stories. Pronouncing moral judgement on a story due to personal taste in genre, theme or element is inherently not friendly.
Every author on the site has the same rights as everyone else, to post their stories and blogs and promote writing that they do elsewhere and appeal to the community for help and advice. "...a friendly place..."
And every reader has the right not to read and not to comment on stories that contain genres, themes, or elements that they don't like. Complaints about what a reader perceives as missing or misapplied tags, categories, or warnings should be sent by private message, not public comment. With few exceptions, tags, categories and warnings are completely up to the author of a story; the site cannot work any other way -- think about it.
Private groups of friends are welcome here, but BCTS is not a place of exclusion, it is a place of inclusion. This is what the site was founded on.
If the inclusionary policies of BigCloset seem oppressive to anyone, that person is, of course, free to seek a place more to their liking. Trying to blackmail or bully the administration of BCTS to change this inclusionary policy is an effort doomed to failure. There's no animus in these policies, that's the point. BCTS strives to be as neutral and accepting as possible.
Hugs to all,
Erin, Piper and Cat
Comments
It saddens me to see that
It saddens me to see that this even needs to be said. The topics that are written about on this site tend to be about groups and people that in the real world are persecuted just for being who they are. I personally am not a fan of all the the stories on this site though there are some that before I came to this site I was not a fan of and now I am. Though the ones that I am not a fan of or the authors that I am not a fan of their writing style I choose to ignore and not read, it takes no time from me and I do not cause issues for other people. I hope that this problem stops as fast as possible I am not a fan of seeing administration messages about fellow members of this site like this one.
P.S. I like the changes to the links so that they are able to be used anywhere on the site.
HAZZZA for Erin, Piper and Cat
With all of the spontaneous combustion that we members can generate on this board {Yes I Including Me Sparky McWolf } We are blessed to have such dedicated Fire Safety Officers preventing us from burning down the house. This is both a thank you and an apology for any incendiary comments I may have coughed up from time to time.
Huggles
Michele
With those with open eyes the world reads like a book
I shouldn't be surprised to
I shouldn't be surprised to see it necessary for Erin to reiterate this rule, It's just disheartening to have members of this community act out like this yet again. This should be a haven from intolerant attitudes.
Warnings from Erin
Much as it may be sad to have a need for these messages, I for one actually like them.
I think Erin is so good at being sensible and wording sensibleness intelligibly that I always find her messages a joy to read.
For all the slippings from the path that may or may not occur from time to time, Bigcloset remains one of the most civilised corners of the web, and I am always pleased to read civilized advice. I hope I haven't been guilty of transgressions, but I'm still always glad to be reminded, because anyone can slip up.
XX
AD
It's not about me?
Since when? It's always been about me, just ask me :)
Now in my radio announcer voice...<This was an attempt at using humor to relieve tension, if you were not amused please re-read the post over and over until you find it amusing or your power goes out because you have been reading this message for so long that your power bill never got paid>
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.
It's about the management
The management has decided it wants a friendly, safe, inclusive, place for us to work and play. They need to do a little (OK maybe alot) off censorship to keep it that way. I have been inclined to take that personally, as they do not provide explanations (other than referal to rules).But when I take a broader view, I find I like this place, the way it is, and am thankful for them creating the site, working hard to keep it going, and to keep it friendly, safe, and inclusive.
THANK YOU, Erin, Piper, and company
Clarification
I ended my last comment with a thank you to Erin, Piper and company. Seeing it up I fear some might interpret it, that they are the authors. Let me assure you you that I am the sole author, and responsible for the content, good or bad.
Cheryl Bishop
The reason I read is for my
The reason I read is for my own enjoyment, so to some small degree this is about the readers. And as a reader, I have a very narrow band of interest with regard to genre or theme. I start reading quite a few stories only to be disappointed with how they develop. But that’s OK. I realize there are readers who do enjoy those. I also occasionally read stories where there are thoughts expressed with which I strongly disagree. But then I realize that I am likely in the minority and have no valid reason to object to those stories being on this site. When that happens I just look for a different story. I am most disappointed by stories in which I do find a great deal of interest, only to have the author quit writing after a few chapters, and thus they leave the reader hanging, checking back often to see if another chapter has been added, and finally giving up that hope. But I understand there are reasons for that as well, and a writer should be free to exercise their right to do as they please with their work. So, I just try to appreciate the work that I am able to enjoy. And I do thank the creators of this site for keeping it open and friendly.