Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Site News and Information => Announcements => Topic started by: Susan on March 25, 2018, 09:27:28 PM

Title: Topics relating to sex work prohibited
Post by: Susan on March 25, 2018, 09:27:28 PM
These topics are prohibited due to the risk of legal liability relating to law changes in the United States,  any topics related to sex work are prohibited under TOS 5. It does not matter if it is legal where you are.  "This is a website is based in the United States and operates under US law." It and other similar topics will be removed from the forum.

The Stop Enabling Sex-Trafficking Act (https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/features/controversial-anti-sex-trafficking-bill-screw-over-sex-workers-w518323) makes this forum liable for the posts, and it's simply not worth the risk we could be targeted by the federal government, law enforcement, or lawmakers in conservative states in an effort to silence this site, and thus eliminate the help and resources it provides the Transgender community.
Title: Re: Topics relating to sex work prohibited
Post by: Cassi on March 25, 2018, 09:32:52 PM
Kewl with me!  The "Sex work" associated with transgender kept me from getting to the point I am at now. 
Title: Re: Topics relating to sex work prohibited
Post by: Mendi on March 26, 2018, 10:01:51 PM
I think it´s really sad decision. It´s all good and nice, if you have the money otherwise to transition and get what you need to survive...or live in a country, which is accepting and have process in place, that helps you in humane way.

Unfortunately that is not the case for everyone. Everyone is doing what they can to survive.

I can understand the decision, but it´s still a sad decision.
Title: Re: Topics relating to sex work prohibited
Post by: Cassi on March 26, 2018, 10:07:47 PM
Without sounding too much like a religious zealot, growing up I had friends who would sell their blood or plasma for money.  I have always donated my blood because I feel and this is my personal belief, not one I'm trying to spread, but some things are sacred to me, why sell what I was blessed to be given.

Additionally, the sex trade, especially among trans-women was an issue that kept me for accepting who I truly was, I wasn't like them yet.  The phrase the brought my situation into clarity was when the psychologist determining if I had GIS/GID said "There's a difference between Gender and Sexuality".  With that everything fell into place.

Just expressing myself and not trying to push anything onto anyone.
Title: Re: Topics relating to sex work prohibited
Post by: Devlyn on March 26, 2018, 10:11:24 PM
Yes, please don't sound like a religious zealot. The site has a long tradition of not shaming sex workers, and I for one, want to see it stay that way.

Hugs, Devlyn
Title: Re: Topics relating to sex work prohibited
Post by: sarah1972 on March 26, 2018, 10:14:34 PM
This is all to protect this site and Susan as owner long with all the other helpful staff from liability arising from new regulations and laws being passed in an attempt to cut down sex trafficking.

As Susan explained, any web site even remotely under suspicion of enabling or helping can be held liable. This is a new US law and does not only affect Susan's but pretty much every web site on US soil or with US ownership. Craigslist has shut down all of their "Personals" sections and ->-bleeped-<- also removed several related Sub ->-bleeped-<-s.
Title: Re: Topics relating to sex work prohibited
Post by: Dee Marshall on March 26, 2018, 10:17:38 PM
I wouldn't want to shame sex workers either.

I have to admit that I was the one who brought the law to Susan's attention. There was an article about Craigslist having to remove their personals due to it. I thought a bit about whether or not I should bring it up but ultimately we're too vulnerable to risk it. If they were going to use that law to shut down a site we would probably be first in line.

The spy who came in from the cold in the War Between the Sexes.

Title: Re: Topics relating to sex work prohibited
Post by: Allison S on March 26, 2018, 10:39:46 PM
Topic I avoid lol jk

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Topics relating to sex work prohibited
Post by: Susan on March 26, 2018, 11:24:07 PM
I would never be a sex worker, but I also do not look down on those who do. Several people I know in the real world take part in the sex work trade. It has not affected our friendships.

This is not being done out of any personal preference on my part, but simply to ensure that someone can't use this law as an excuse to attack what is the worlds largest transgender web site, one that is located in a "Christian," very far right, strongly conservative state.

If you wonder why the word Christian is in quotes take a moment look up the term air quotes...
Title: Re: Topics relating to sex work prohibited
Post by: SadieBlake on March 26, 2018, 11:48:28 PM
From the RS link in the OP

QuoteOverall, the sex work community is devastated that this bill will take community resources away from consensual workers while doing demonstrably little to abolish trafficking or offer care to those who have been trafficked.

While I'm uncertain how fosta/sesta can be used to silence mere or incidental mention of sex work (as opposed to being a site that exists for the sole purpose of enabling sexual or sex work connections such as CL personals or the affected sub->-bleeped-<-s), obviously this is up to the discretion of the site owner.

I hope that when these extremely negative laws are (hopefully, I think inevitably) struck down in the courts this policy will be reevaluated.
Title: Re: Topics relating to sex work prohibited
Post by: Mumei on March 27, 2018, 03:57:50 AM
My understanding of "Susan's Place" is, it is a site for trans people to share their stories about their ups and downs regarding their transition. Plus other daily things like food, movies, hobbies etc.

My heart goes out to anybody in forced prostitution though, be it a lack of money, drug addiction or a thug-pimp. But I can't see any connection between transgender and prostitution.
Title: Re: Topics relating to sex work prohibited
Post by: AnonyMs on March 27, 2018, 04:47:32 AM
I don't know the details, but this law doesn't seem very American to me. I thought free speech was really important.

Quote from: SadieBlake on March 26, 2018, 11:48:28 PM
While I'm uncertain how fosta/sesta can be used to silence mere or incidental mention of sex work (as opposed to being a site that exists for the sole purpose of enabling sexual or sex work connections such as CL personals or the affected sub->-bleeped-<-s), obviously this is up to the discretion of the site owner.

When you don't have any money just hiring a lawyer to defend yourself is enough to put you out of operation.
Title: Re: Topics relating to sex work prohibited
Post by: AnneK on March 27, 2018, 02:16:03 PM
QuoteI don't know the details, but this law doesn't seem very American to me. I thought free speech was really important.

A lot of things that are going on these days are not "American".  They are driven by those who try to force their views on others.  The Trump decree on banning trans in the military is but one example.  I wouldn't be surprised if this is more of the same.