Request for mercy to be extended to more posters.

[yardwork]

When it comes to increased understanding of the importance of gay rights, DU has changed for the better. Things are different around here and for that I am grateful. I give credit to the Admins for recognizing that there was a problem and taking real steps to address it. I give credit to the average DUer for their understanding and advocacy for human rights.

One piece of evidence for the improved atmosphere around here is that many more non-gay DUers regularly and routinely post pro-gay posts and OPs. I've noticed this and appreciated it. One of those was a little over-zealous recently, and the mods deleted the thread and banned the member. I have only the vaguest memory of the OP, but I believe that it was a sincere, albeit clumsy, effort to overturn gay stereotypes. Many DUers are expressing appreciation to the Admins for forgiving the poster and letting them back in. There are numerous signs of progress in this incident. First, an ordinary DUer tried to post something supportive of gay rights. Their post missed the mark and was interpreted as insulting to gay people by the mods, which means that the mods were sensitive to the issue, which I appreciate. The poster was banned - another sign of sensitivity to gay rights. And then, the poster was allowed back to DU because they argued, successfully, that their OP had been misunderstood and they are actually a strong supporter of gay rights. And lots of DUers cheer. And all that is marvelous.

Except. Where is the mercy for actual gay posters, and straight allies who were allies way back when, who were banned for their advocacy over the years? I was allowed back into DU, and so were a small handful of other posters who happened to have been banned on one particular day. But there was no general amnesty for DUers lost in this culture war. The war is more or less won now - nobody on DU would get away with posting some of the kinds of things they did here in 2008, and 2006, and 2004. But our comrades are still excluded from DU. Please bring them back, Skinner. Bring back the DUers who were banned because they were fighting for equal rights for everybody. Bring back the posters who were banned for losing their cool after severe provocation, provocation that would no longer be allowed on DU.

You showed mercy to a straight poster who was attempting to right wrongs. Please show mercy to the posters who were more personally and directly interested in the issue of gay rights.

Mr. Skinner, tear down this wall.

[EarlG]

1. I'm glad you feel that the atmosphere has improved

Respectfully though, I should point out that nobody has ever been banned from DU for "fighting for equal rights."

Our email inboxes are always open and we do reinstate people who can convince us that they deserve a second chance.

[yardwork]

EarlG, I will take you at your word and suggest to a few people that they write and ask.

However, people were indeed banned from DU for fighting for equal rights. We were banned for exactly that reason, as several very long threads attest.

[yardwork]

2. EarlG, I will take you at your word and suggest to a few people that they write and ask.

However, people were indeed banned from DU for fighting for equal rights. We were banned for exactly that reason, as several very long threads attest.