I SUSPECT THAT MEETUP.COM IS HOMOPHOBIC
Meetup.com is "a social networking site that helps people find and join groups based on their interests." I have been an organizer since 2017. Meetup charges me to run groups on its website.
One of my
groups is Toronto Platinum Gay Men Host. This group is for gay men 35 and
older. It was established to give both gay and bi men events in which they
could meet and make friends with other gay/bi men.
I received an
email from Meetup.com. By the way, a no reply email.
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About my group. It is a private group, so no one can see any content unless they are a member. Everyone can see our description page. The photo on our description page is of fully clothed male friends.
In the description, we described that most of our events are friendship only events (clothing required or naturist events, totally non-sexual). However, there are a few events that may be sex positive. The language to describe the group is inclusive and respectful.
https://www.meetup.com/toronto-platinum-gay-men-hosts/?eventOrigin=event_home_page
In the private
sections which describe group events, again the language is inclusive and
respectful. There are naturist photos and drawings of men. However, they do not
show sexual activity. Although, there are photos and drawing of men hugging or
kissing. Homophobic bigots find any content espousing love between men to be pornographic.
I responded to the meetup email -- inquiring about homophobic motivation and specific information about how our group violated their Community Standards. I also wanted to know who these phantom accusers were and what they saw that upset them.
I had to go
through a multi-level process to even get this to the Meetup Trust & Safety
team. Meetup does not make things easy for anyone who wishes to express
concerns to them. Here is my response to them.
Although the intent of the Guidelines is excellent, the Guideline wording is open to interpretation. Obviously, Meetup will use the interpretation of the Trust & Safety team at Meetup to make its decisions about closing a group.
Thus, I have sought and received advice from persons knowledgeable in this sort of warning/threat from an organization like Meetup. It was suggested that I bring stress steps Meetup should take before closing the group
1. Toronto Platinum Gay Men Host is a group for homosexuals. I am 77 years old and have experienced a lifetime of Gay groups being targeted because of homophobic motivations. Homophobia in Canada violates Canadian Hate Crime legislation, the Ontario Human Right Code, and the Canadian Charter of Right. Thus, before meetup decides to close this Gay group down, the Meetup must provide clear evidence to the organizers of the Toronto Platinum Gay Men Host, that closing the group was not the result of homophobia.
2. Because the wording of the Meetups Usage and content policies: Rules for using Meetup is good-hearted but open to interpretation, before considering ending the Toronto Platinum Gay Men Hosts, Meetup must provide to the organizers of Toronto Platinum Gay Men Host, a clear and full list of what content violates your content policies and guidelines. Then, we can remove this content or discuss why we feel it does not violate the policies and guidelines.
3. In all Western
Democracies, individuals, groups and corporations are allowed to face their
accuser(s). Even police services are required to reveal their “confidential
sources” by courts. If you are investigating or plan to close down Toronto Gay
Platinum Men Hosts, you must identify the accuser(s) to us the organizers so
that we can address the specific concern of the individual(s) who have
complained. My concern is that over the past 7 years, I have been an organizer
of several groups. On occasions, members are removed from a group and banned
for inappropriate behaviour. Some have threatened retribution. I do not want
complaints from such sources to have an impact on Meetup’s Decision to
eliminate the Toronto Platinum Gay Men Hosts.
Please stop side-stepping the issues involved, be clear as to exactly what you want me to do by identifying the offending content, and fulfill these above requests. I do not want to bring external Canadian government human rights agencies into this situation.
Please, no more vague terminology or platitudes -- Specifically what of
my content violates, "groups and events must not contain pornography,
publicly shared nudity, or sexual photos: what of my content
violates, "
- Remove any
photo containing pornography from your group. Keep in mind that we
consider pornography any image of humans engaging in any sex act,
regardless of whether they are nude, partially nude, or fully nude.
Who are these phantoms "your group was reported to us by other Meetup members on the platform" and were their motives homophobic.
I have been an organizer for over 7 years. Please respect that fact.
You must give me clear and total direction as to what you want me to do. Then I can judge whether your motives are homophobic.
If you do not respond, then I can only assume that Meetup.com is homophobic and possibly anti-Nudist/Naturist.
I want to comply to your standards, but you must be clear and specific as to how. If you cannot be clear, then I suggest you rescind your messages.
Thanks,
Brian
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I am 77 years
old and have experienced Gay Groups being targeted by those who have power. The
accusations are vague, but their threats are very harsh. The actions of
Meetup.com follow the pattern of bigotry that has plagued not only the Gay
community, but many minority communities for hundreds of years.
If anyone who
is reading this review cares about Human Rights, please let meetup.com know that
you feel that homophobia is not acceptable in today’s progressive society.
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