CCL is Officially a Safe Zone
As long time readers know, it has been my policy to NOT CENSOR comments because I have always believed in freedom of speech. I mean, I really really believe in that. Because it’s a slippery slope once someone starts arbitrarily deciding what can and can not be said in public.
I have let many comments go through that were personally insulting, attacked my character, said hurtful things. I have also let you all fight it out amongst yourselves in the comment section, rarely ever getting involved. Because I respected you all as adults, more then capable of handling a little tiff here and there.
I am still fine with that. I am fine with someone that dated me a million years ago calling me a bitch online. You know what? I probably was. I’ve come a long way. People change and the old blogs from years ago represent a time in my life when I was younger, and did what young people do. Do I regret any of it? No. Everyone has things they have to experience for themselves before they can become better individuals. It’s called life. So if anyone wants to go back and dig up blogs from 5 years ago, and bash me for it. Have at it. I’ve got nothing to hide because I’m not ashamed of who I was or who I’ve become.
Now as far as you, the readers getting into cyber brawls on my blog? I’m usually fine with that because when some hate monger finds their way onto CCL, the intelligentĀ and witty tribe of CCL usually hands him/her ass to them on a silver platter of logic and smart ass quips that quickly put them to shame in no time flat.
Then of course there are the heated discussions that get …. well …. heated. I love those. They can be informative and it’s important to always learn. You might not want to hear what your opponent has to say but sometimes you can learn something from the other side. And that my dears is essential. To be an eternal student of life. To strive to expand your consciousness and your understanding of the world around you. Intellectual debates will always be welcomed on CCL.
But now we come to the topic at hand. I have searched my soul on this topic and have vacillated from one side to the other but have decided that a change must be made here on CCL.
No longer will I allow hurtful, hate filled comments to be published on CCL.
They are not useful or helpful to anyone. They do not further any conversation or increase the intellect of anyone that reads them. They do nothing but harm and I will not allow them on my blog.
I don’t know what’s going on lately, I suppose it comes with the increase in readers. But lately a lot of mean spirited people (unfortunately they have identified themselves as male most of the time) have been leaving, what can only be classified as hate speech inĀ the comments section.
While men, straight or gay or trans are welcomed to read and comment on CCL. Hate speech will not be tolerated. That includes women. If a woman leaves an unnecessarily hurtful or derogatory comment, I will not approve it.
Now that is not to say that only sugar and spice and everything nice will get through. Not at all. I’m sure that lots of things will go through that aren’t the nicest. But I will not allow CCL to become taken over by hate and ignorance and I will not allow CCL to become a vessel for such things.
It simply will not happen.
I am human and some comments may slip past me here and there and if you find one, please don’t hesitate to email me and point it out.
From here on out, I declare Card Carrying Lesbian a hate free zone.
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Bravo, Sasha! Well said and good job! I, for one, would prefer to have a place to come to where I don’t have to worry about whether or not I’ll end up with someone’s vomit all over me. That’s basically what hate rants are…someone’s insecurity doesn’t settle and get thrown up. I don’t see this as censorship, it’s spam control.
It always amazes me that no matter who the person or what the forum, a hate monger will work their way in. It’s like ants to honey. There is almost always no basis for the hate/criticism; it’s just hate looking for a place to land. (The next time anyone feels bullied or rejected, bring to mind those you admire, like CCL/Sasha, et al., who have haters. Understand it’s not personal, it’s just hate looking for an outlet.)
Sasha, I’m glad you’ll still allow the debates. I was reading an older blog the other day where Raye was setting somebody straight, so to speak. LMAO. I wish she had time to write more. I love her straight-forward, pull-no-punches style. As for the haters, good riddance!
Sasha is wonderful. It’s pathetic that someone with strong anti gay hatred would go on a lesbians blog to express such hatred. When one has such hatred for a group of people (gays, ethnic, whatever) it saddens me for how much they are missing out on, but everyone has a choice. Some choose love some choose hate. What is critical (and Sasha totally respects this too) is that when such extremist hate is expressed on an open forum like CCL there are 12 and 13 year olds reading/commentin on this. Also, this is one reasons why I washed my potty mouth down the toliet ;). Sasha I support your decision completely!!!
Sasha It bothers me that you even have to read them. It is a ridiculous waste of your time having to be exposed to such ignorant anti-gay posts. I’d suggest you block their ip addresses, but it seems they use multiple names, information etc. OMG they have WAY too much time on their hands! Hatred is one thing I’ll never understand. I walked in the AIDS walk recently and it was SO beautiful how many people were there. People realizing AIDS effects everyone straight, gay ect. I had a heartwarming conversation with a man who has AIDs and he gave me the biggest most wonderful hug. That has been a highlight of my month- seeing his strength and hearing his stories. People like those you’re referring to in this post will never have such blessed experiences and I think that is sad. Again, some people choose love some people choose hate. It is all a choice. I only mention this as a “brick” in the eternal wall of strength towards building up tolerance. Tolerance that people such as these anti-gay homophobics don’t understand. Sasha you always lay such “bricks” of tolerance throughout CCL. I am proud of your strength and integrity of character.
I have only been reading you for a couple days now, but I have read A LOT of your posts. I got sucked in and am totally a new follower. I have noticed quite a bit of hate coming through, though. I know it sucks to have to “parent” these people coming on your blog and that you proabbly hate having to “censor” anything…but I think it is a good idea, also. I think that, perhaps, some people will always try and spread their bile somehow, no matter what the reason or topic at hand is.
=D hate free zone!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I stumbled across your blog recently and after reading some post, I began diving into more. Being male and straight then reading this post, I felt it best to speak here. Your post on life and views from the lesbian standpoint are amazing and have helped me see a lot of things I just flat out would never know. I am sure any lesbian, bi or transgender (I hope using these terms is not insulting but as of right now I am still woefully incompetent on what terminology is preferred) that straight males a lot of the time are arrogant assholes to bumbling but trying to learn.
The reason though I wanted to speak was because of the way you handle situations and the way your post speak. You seem to have an openness to you that is willing to be friendly and even help as long as the person asking is not being intolerant or flat out mean in every way. For a straight male like me who would like to learn more, that is huge. Us guys are not always looked at in the LGBT community in the best light to put it mildly and sadly some of us who would like to come forward with respect and friendship end up taking heat that our counterparts so easily ignite. Anyways now at rambling length, I would like to say thank you for all that you share, despite the haters there are some who are learning and maybe one day there will be enough of us to stand out in support. Fighting to be right does not make progress, it is a willingness to understand, listen and work together that does.
Good post Sasha, hate gets everbody no where fast.
@ Scribits – Right On! Too bad there aren’t more male humans like you out there. š