A couple days ago in Indonesia, police raided
some salons, detaining transwomen.
some salons, detaining transwomen.
Police cut their hair, made then wear male clothes and making them attend "Morailty Classes."
"BANDA ACEH, Indonesia: Indonesian police forcibly cut the hair of a group of transgender women and made them wear male clothing, authorities said on Monday (Jan 29), amid a crackdown on the LGBT community in the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation.
The incident happened after police raided several beauty salons in conservative Aceh province on Sunday and rounded up a dozen transgender employees over claims they had teased a group of boys."
You can read more about all over the internet now, but to make it easy you can click Here for Channel Asia News or Here for Newsweek.
I'm sure that it's not a huge shock for anybody that me, a transwoman in the middle of the USA, is not a fan of what's occurring in Aceh. Obviously I believe that LGBT+ members have to right to decide what is best for their own lives. You can even read my really old Introduction Post with some of my background if you'd like a little on an idea. Or if you're really not sure...there was THIS POST on the battle for LGBT protections in Springfield, Missouri, USA.
With all of this said...I can absolutely voice how wrong I think these actions are, get into details as to why...just like those who completely disagree with my point of view. We both believe we are 'right' in the matter....and I really don't expect to magically change their mind by writing a post.
HOWEVER....
I also believe in things like
- Non-Aggression
- People should be able to voice their opinion without fear of retribution from other Steemians
- and that here on Steemit, only flagging things that fall under my subjective definition of abuse
- I.E. I don't flag posts simply because I disagree with them. But I DO consider relentless personal attacks and threats to be abuse.
My Concern...here on Steemit
For a while now I've been working to organize, build and provide visibility for the LGBT+ community on here...and things are growing and coming together as I launch different pieces each week. We've also had a large number of people who have joined Steemit from Indonesia and Aceh. Personally, I want to be able to see both communities grow and successfully find their places in our "on-line society."
But with this latest news story, which had been making headlines across the world, I'm a little concerned with what can (and to slight degree, is) happen when these two communities come into contact with each other. On the one hand, I want both sides to be free to post about their opinions without fear of being flagged. On the other hand, I don't want to see threats thrown around such as the "destruction of an entire group of people."
However, I'm assume that not every single person in Aceh or Indonesia agree's with whats happening there and could have a problem when someone from across the world lumps them all together as 'being evil.' I have no doubt that many of us here in America would be appalled if somebody started labeling us all as being members of the Ku Klux Klan extremist group. Now, yes I know it's a bit different when there is government backing involved...which can make what some of us see as 'extremists' more at ease to loudly communicate their message. However, I still feel the general point here holds.
I want there to be some common understanding between these groups...at least enough to "live and let live" in some fashion.
I've personally found this to be a little bit of a tricky situation when mixing the "anarcho-libertarian-whatever" ideals the Steemit community tries to adhere to...with a a view based in rather conservative religion. As usual...I'm not really here to tell YOU what to do, but rather what I expect to do.
Things you can Expect...
Again...I am NOT here to tell you what do to...that is up to YOU! BUT...I can also choose to do what I want to do...and having a slightly higher stake in Steemit, I feel it also carries certain responsibilities. Even though I've been doing some of the LGBT+ organizing on here, I am by no means the sole voice for the entire group. I speak for me...I choose for me...and I'll give my opinions to advice the best I can and let them make their decisions.
Flagging is NOT something I enjoy doing...so I have a very good reason to use one or more. Yes, there is some subjectivity involved in defining what is abuse and what is a dissenting opinion...however, there are MANY things that are clearly over the line for me. On the flip of this, I don't exactly enjoy using my upvotes solely to Off-set flags. Yes there are times that I do when I see somebody receiving them for a very bad reason. (and yes..this to is admittedly subjective.)
So..I wanted to give both the LGBT and the Indonesian communities an idea of what they might expect from me. It's worth repeating here that I truly want BOTH groups to be able to exist here while maintaining the principles I listed above.
What the LGBT community can expect from me?
- I am in no way going to stop you from posting what you want...how you want. But you must also accept with this that certain things can have consequences.
- I won't upvote posts that are inflammatory nor attempt to offset flags. Generally it's easy for me to see when something could be taken by the opposing group as "being over the line" in their eyes. Even though I may not agree with them, it's within the principles listed above for them to flag things they find subjectively to be abuse.
- I will NOT flag posts simply because I disagree with their opinion, view point, etc. This is better served via actual conversation if I wish to debate.
- I very well MAY flag things that fall under my definition of abuse.
What the Indonesian community can expect from me?
- I am in no way going to stop you from posting what you want...how you want
- I won't upvote posts that are inflammatory nor attempt to offset flags. Generally it's easy for me to see when something could be taken by the opposing group as "being over the line" in their eyes. Even though I may not agree with them, it's within the principles listed above for them to flag things they find subjectively to be abuse.
- I will NOT flag posts simply because I disagree with their opinion, view point, etc. This is better served via actual conversation if I wish to debate.
- I very well MAY flag things that fall under my definition of abuse.
Yes...I know I have the same thing listed for both groups...but it makes sense doesn't it? It's true my time, energy and votes is more spent with the LGBT+ community (and others I'm a part of)...but that's only natural. I expect the same from those who have acquired some "responsibility" from holding some Steem Power.
All I ask is that we look for a way that BOTH communities are able to exist on here without fear of a giant Flag War!
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Cutting Hair