Discussions on Identity
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Sometimes it is hard to know where a line is, especially when it isn't visible all the time.
No matter how civil a discussion may be on a particular topic, that does not mean the subject-matter of the topic is appropriate for discussion of any kind. I said when Arkandel erroneously and foolishly handed me the controls to the ship that I would try to steer it towards to brighter and safer shores. This does not mean I have been or will be successful. In fact, my lack of general empathy for humanity, being a robotic cat, makes my ability to guide it questionable at best.
Thankfully, I have a navigator.
No one who identifies themselves as they see fit ought to have that decision questioned, least of all by strangers. And I can understand how seeing strangers question whether you or others like you should get life-saving treatment is not only horrific but unacceptable. No matter what anyone's opinion might be, seeing an opinion that would or could harm you or deny your existence is at best unacceptable and at worst damaging. So, with Mietze's guidance and in agreement with her, I'm going to throw out the following new policy.
Any discussion or comment questioning the legitimacy or nature of a person's identity in any way, including, but not limited to, race, gender, sex, orientation, religion, or ethnicity will not be tolerated in any form here, be it in public post or private message.
What constitutes a breach of this policy will depend on the totality of the circumstances. For comparative examples:
Asking about particular kinds of therapies and how medical professionals determine if they are appropriate for a minor or adult recipient: This is probably a good question, especially for those in the community who are very quietly questioning themselves and want to learn more.
Debating whether particular kinds of therapies should made available to minors and, if so, under what conditions: This questions the legitimacy of self-identification, and therefore would be contrary to the policy stated above.
It is impossible to predict what form such discussion or comment may take or how it may breach this policy, so if you have concerns about a particular discussion or comment please make your concerns known to any mod here so we can discuss.
I encourage the members of any community that has witnessed "civil-but-phobic" discourse here to contact Mietze or I to refine the above policy; however, if possible, I'd rather keep such discussions limited to chatting in a room, so that others who do not want to participate may continue to enjoy the site.
As for the delay in this policy, I apologize personally to our trans-members. I've been busy, but I have also been participating, so I should have been more aware.
