CFV: soc.subculture.bondage-bdsm
David Bostwick
FIRST CALL FOR VOTES (of 2)
unmoderated group soc.subculture.bondage-bdsm
Newsgroups line:
soc.subculture.bondage-bdsm Bondage/Dominance/S&M discussion & support.
Votes must be received by 23:59:59 UTC, 8 May 1997.
This vote is being conducted by a neutral third party. Questions about
the proposed group should be directed to one of the proponents.
Proponent: Iain Fielden <ia...@srama.demon.co.uk>
Proponent: Paul Harrison <pr...@phszx81.gn.apc.org>
Proponent: Suzanne Meering <tat...@xs4all.nl>
Proponent: Tanith Tyrr <plea...@netcom.com>
Mentor: Russ Allbery <r...@cs.stanford.edu>
Mentor: Kate Wrightson <ka...@rigel.econ.uga.edu>
Mentor: Stephan Schulz <sch...@informatik.tu-muenchen.de>
Votetaker: David Bostwick <bost...@cas.chemistry.gatech.edu>
RATIONALE: soc.subculture.bondage-bdsm
Alt.sex.bondage, alt.sex.femdom, alt.sex.spanking and alt.torture
are groups with a very large combined following which have been
dedicated to the discussion of consensual adult BDSM, power exchange
and alternative lifestyles involving domination and submission.
Several mailing lists on closely related subjects also exist (many
of them are listed at the bottom of this RFD).
Unfortunately, the very large community that already exists among
several of these groups (most especially alt.sex.bondage) has been
overwhelmed by inappropriate postings. These are attracted by the
newsgroup title, and at variance with the FAQ and general tone of
the group. Sex ads posted en masse to the newsgroups of the alt.sex
hierarchy are a particular problem. Legitimate and on topic
discussion (as per last year's definition, in the charter below) is
difficult through the noise for those users who do not have
sophisticated filtering software and the know-how to use it
effectively.
An analysis of traffic on alt.sex.bondage was conducted recently at
4 news-servers of varying connectivity. This revealed well over 400
posts on an average day at the better connected sites. Of this,
70-96% was material which would not be welcome by the definition
in the charter below.
A real need certainly exists for a free forum of information
exchange among people who practice alternative sexualities (BDSM,
often referred to by the more broadly recognised, if not wholly
inclusive, terms "bondage" and "S&M"), Where the topics of safety
awareness, practical advice and emotional health can be discussed
in a safe environment, where the philosophies "your kink is OK,
even if it is not my kink", and "Safe-Sane-Consensual" are popular.
Open discussion, supportive help and practical advice about living
with BDSM desires can literally save lives. It is also an important
part of our right to free speech and social expression.
It can make a very significant and positive difference in many
people's lives to have a safe and supportive place where they can
freely discuss these issues. In particular, this kind of outreach on
the Internet is vital for people who live in isolated (or heavily
censored) areas and have no other place they can go to share their
feelings. This group will give a forum for helpful advice and
guidance as well as friendship and social chat with others of
like mind.
As members of this community, we are asking that we be represented
in a legitimate forum in the soc.* hierarchy for the free discussion
of our community, our sexuality, and our lifestyles.
Rationale for the name:-
Soc. - while the group content might be equally appropriate to a
talk.* group, it is desired to specifically retain the option to
moderate the group if that should become necessary in future. As
talk.* are traditionally always unmoderated but soc.* can equally
well be either, soc. has been chosen.
Subculture. - because we feel that "subculture" sets the tone of
the group well, implying that it is a great deal *more* than the
newbie's perception of what a "sex" group might entail. Plus, the
lack of the spam-magnet string s-e-x can do no harm to its long
term viability.
In practice the name alt.sex.bondage has not truly reflected the
full range of its actual content. The name has also attracted
inappropriate posts.
With the term "bondage-bdsm" following, the use of "sexuality"
or some such seems a little superfluous. "Subculture" allows us
a valuable opportunity to tell the new (or prospective) reader
a little about the flavour of the group.
Subculture is an accurate description. There genuinely exists a
loose but sizeable community united by these common interests -
and united by suppression in many areas of the world. The ugly truth
is that BDSM, done safely and ethically by consenting adults in
private, is illegal in many places. Perhaps an uglier truth is
that even where it is legal, BDSM people may find themselves
treated like criminals.
While the group is very much based around the subculture of BDSM,
it should be noted that a keynote of the charter is "Open". All
are welcome.
Bondage-bdsm - The English language does not have a word for what
it is that we do. The most accurate description would be the
acronym "BDSM". However there are concerns that this acronym may
not have sufficent currency outside of the BDSM culture to justify
its use as a stand-alone item.
The term "bondage" is used to clearly and proudly indicate our
origins in alt.sex.bondage, and to make clear the purpose of the
group to any casual reader that does not recognise the "BDSM"
acronym.
A recent straw poll on alt.sex.bondage showed 85% of those voting
in favour of either "bondage" or "bdsm". This name has the
advantage of covering both, and it will show up on keyword searches
for "bondage" "BD" "DS" "SM" and "BDSM". (this assumes a sub-string
search, which appears to be the default for most major search
engines).
It is regrettable but true that the word "SEX" in the context of
the Internet now carries a number of prejudices and assumptions over
and above its usual meaning. These are noticeably inaccurate in the
case of this group.
While SSB will clearly have sexual content, this group is about
much more than genitals and what people do with them. Even the
far broader definitions of 'sexuality' still exclude a great many
of the spiritual, social, political and emotional aspects of the
BDSM lifestyles. The designation "subculture" is at least as
accurate as "sexuality" or "support". The recent straw poll showed
"subculture" with over 70% of the vote.
The name soc.subculture.bondage-bdsm will make it more difficult to
justify censorship without reference to content, but will still make
it clear, to those who wish to know, that this is a group likely to
have transgressive content.
In addition, we hope the new name will increase new readership
among those with a genuine interest in BDSM issues, but who are
wary of the unfortunate reputation that has recently become
attached to the "Internet sex groups" as a result of moral panics
and less than fully-informed media reporting.
Rationale for the moderation stance:-
There exist considerable concerns that *any* moderation mechanism
could be used as a "choke-point" by organisations or persons wishing
to regulate the content of the group, or to paralyse it entirely.
In a group of this type there are concerns that public or private
legal action against a moderator or bot maintainer is a
particularly serious risk, and could leave the group paralysed,
not to mention being highly unpleasant for that person.
We the proponents place a very high value on gaining a consensus
among those whom we endeavour to represent. These people cover a
broad spectrum, from those in favour of moderation, to those who
oppose moderation (even by bot) as a matter of deeply held personal
principle.
As a misunderstood and often suppressed group ourselves we are
quite familiar with "The Tyranny of The Majority". It would be
hypocritical in the extreme for us to impose the wishes of a
majority if there is a feasible alternative solution acceptable
to all.
The issue has been discussed at length not only among the
proponents but also on the newsgroups, both recently and many times
in the past. Our proposal is as follows:-
- The group shall be unmoderated.
- The group notes that it can change status from unmoderated to
moderated (and vice-versa) by posting and voting on a new RFD.
The procedure for this will be found in its most up-to-date form
in the monthly postings on the newsgroup news.announce.newgroups
- The group notes that any person can start this process at any
time.
- The proponents undertake to put the issue to the vote by posting
a moderated RFD if (in their estimation) the content of the group
becomes more than 25% binaries and adverts over the period of 21
days.
- The moderator of news.announce.newgroups (being a neutral
outside party with a strong interest in matters affecting
Usenet) shall have the power to RMGROUP the group if (in their
estimation) the criterion above becomes true, *and* if no
significant progress is being made towards changing the group
status to moderated within 1 month of that condition becoming
true. This is not intended to place any kind of duty upon the
N.A.newgroups moderator, rather to give him the power to act
upon valid complaints of inaction.
- In the event that the proponents do post such a moderated RFD,
the general form of moderation in their 1st. RFD shall be:-
1. The moderator(s) shall not hand sort postings, but shall
rather use software (a "bot") to do so.
2. Moderation by hand, and moderation on the basis of body text
content and/or poster shall *not* be used. In the event of
temporary bot failure the moderator shall choose to 100% pass
all posts, or hold them until the bot is once more available.
3. An arrangement of multiple moderators/bot maintainers in more
than one country will be used if at all possible.
4. The current criteria used by the bot shall be posted to the
group at least monthly, with any changes highlighted. The
moderator/maintainer shall remove or change any item which
generates non-trivial controversy.
5. A digest of the "subject:" and "from:" headers of all
rejected and/or cancelled posts shall be posted on the group at
least twice weekly. Full text (where the content is text) shall
be made publicly available.
6. A copy of the bot's code shall be made available to any
interested person on request.
7. Any major change to bot criteria, or changes to the policy
detailed above shall be discussed on the newsgroup for a
minimum 21 days, and shall be voted on by way of E-Mail to any
of the moderators. Voting shall continue for a minimum 14 days.
8. Minor changes to the bot criteria (e.g. addition of a new
trigger term) may be implemented immediately, and notified to
the group in the monthly bot criteria posting.
Rationale for cancelation of messages:-
This section of the charter formalises the stance of this newsgroup
with respect to the cancellation of posts that has for some time
been done under consensus agreements reached in news.announce.net-
abuse and its successors news.admin.net-abuse.<all>.
We welcome such cancels, because they are a valuable "safety valve"
to relieve the pressure on the Usenet system that could result from
an isolated incident of misplaced binary posting. No other cancels
are tolerable (except cancels by the original poster etc.). It is not
intended that the group rely upon cancelation as a substitute for
conventional moderation, cancellation is to be regarded more as an
insurance against transient or very rapidly developing problems.
We understand that certain people are established cancellers, and
have provided this service to a broad spectrum of newsgroups for
some time, and have done so with the knowledge and general approval
of the NANA newsgroups. Our preference would be for one of these
established cancellers to provide cancels to S.Subculture.bondage...
However It is not proper for this proposal/charter to place duties
upon anyone outside of the proponents. Therefore we the proponents
state that we are prepared to perform cancels as described above
if none of the established cancellers are able/happy to do so.
CHARTER: soc.subculture.bondage-bdsm
To provide a safe and open forum, where people of any gender or
sexual orientation can engage in discussion, support, socialisation
and general interchange concerning the various topics referred
to collectively as "BDSM" (Bondage & Discipline, Dominance &
Submission, Sadism & Masochism).
There are numerous related topics which are also appropriate to
this group. "BDSM" is intended here to be read in its broadest sense.
The aim of this document is not to exhaustively define what SSB is
about, but rather to define what it is *not* about, outline what it
is about, and leave the detail to be shaped by the people who
actually post to it.
The following types of posts are particularly welcomed in this
group:-
- Discussions of BDSM and its interplay with relationships,
self-image etc.
- Discussions of techniques used in BDSM, ideas and experiences.
- Community action, personal liberty and similar political/
campaigning issues related to the BDSM lifestyles.
- Accounts of experiences.
- BDSM stories, erotica, poetry and other creative writings.
- Socialisation.
- Humour.
- Announcements of events.
Other types of post are not excluded, except as noted below.
The following types of posts are unacceptable in this group:-
1- Binary files of any kind. Exception: Small binary .sig blocks
or attachments of maximum 20 lines. For example .sigs generated
by public key encryption systems such as PGP and similar.
(For binaries try alt.binaries.pictures.erotica.bondage).
2- Personal advertisements. (try alt.personals.bondage)
3- Commercial Advertisements (posts offering something for sale,
directly or indirectly). (Try alt.sex.erotica.marketplace,
alt.sex.wanted, alt.sex.telephone, alt.bbs.ads, or
alt.sex.magazines).
Exception 1: On-topic "commercial" activities of non-profit,
charitable or community action/campaigning organisations are
acceptable.
Exception 2: Commercial .sig line adverts are acceptable if the
.sig is smaller than the original and on-topic section of the
body of the post.
Responses to legitimate questions by posters who have commercial
interest are acceptable, but response by E-Mail is generally
preferable.
4- Large crossposts. Messages crossposted to (or duplicated in) more
than 5 groups are unacceptable. Routine crossposting to more than
3 groups is strongly discouraged.
5- Any post (other than posts relating to the operation of the group)
which is repeated more frequently than once per calendar month.
6- Trolls, flamebait and other deliberately provocative material
cross-posted to (or duplicated in) more than 1 newsgroup.
(Philosophy: If you must start a flamewar, keep it to one group).
Note: each category is applicable to all posts. For example a non-
profit advertisement is acceptable, but it must still comply with
"no binaries", "no repeat within 1 month" and all the others...
Unacceptable use of the group:-
The use of e-mail addresses from articles posted to this group for
the purpose of sending junk (mass unsolicited) e-mail or for
compiling a list so that others may do so is specifically prohibited.
Provision for RMGROUPing the group:-
The moderator of news.announce.newgroups (being a neutral outside
party with a strong interest in matters affecting Usenet) shall
have the power to RMGROUP the group if (in his, or his
successor(s)' estimation) the group content exceeds 25% unwelcome
advertisements and binaries (in terms of bytes or number of
posts) over a period of 21 days, *and* if no significant progress
is being made towards changing the group status to moderated
within 1 month of that condition becoming true. This is not
intended to place any kind of duty upon the N.A.newgroups
moderator, rather to give the power to act upon valid
complaints of inaction.
Cancellation of messages:-
In general messages may only be cancelled by the poster, their ISP,
or the moderator of any group where they may also have been posted.
It is however established practice that "third parties" may cancel
a message according to the priciples of news.admin.net-abuse.policy
(and the related groups). Currently binaries in a non-binary group
(such as this one) would probably meet the criteria for tolerated
3rd. party cancellation, as might certain other types of post. Any
person wishing to operate a bot specific to this group to perform
such cancels may do so, under the following conditions:-
Before putting a bot into operation or changing its operating
criteria full details of the bot and its operating criteria shall
be disclosed on the newsgroup and on news.admin.net-abuse.policy
and news.admin.net-abuse.usenet (or their successors).
Any detail or criterion which generates non-trivial controversy
shall be changed before commencing operation. Any person running
such a bot must act in co-operation with any other such bot
maintainers.
Cancel bots not specific to this group are welcomed provided that
they are operated according to principles agreed in the NANA.* groups.
END CHARTER.
DISTRIBUTION:
This CFV was posted to the following newsgroups:
news.announce.newgroups
news.groups
alt.personals.bondage
alt.sex.bondage
alt.sex.femdom
alt.sex.motss
alt.sex.spanking
alt.sex.wizards
alt.torture
rec.arts.bodyart
soc.bi
soc.motss
nl.erotiek.bdsm
uk.people.bdsm
Pointers to the CFV were posted in the following newsgroups:
alt.amazon.women
alt.amazon.women.admirers
alt.bondage
alt.books.anne-rice
alt.fan.anne-rice
alt.fax.bondage
alt.personals.fetish
alt.personals.spanking
alt.personals.spanking.punishment
alt.sadistic
alt.sex.fetish.fashion
alt.sex.sm
alt.sex.stories.bondage
alt.vampyres
alt.women.supremacy
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| FIRST CALL FOR VOTES |
| SOC.SUBCULTURE.BONDAGE-BDSM | Do not remove or edit this marker
| <SSB-0001> |
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