New Rule for Signatures - Rule is now actively enforced!

[Tess]

Due to an increasing number of reports and complaints about signatures, we are introducing a new rule:

• It is not allowed to put messages/stamps or images in your signature which promote hate, discrimination, non-support or "anti" feelings towards people (or groups of people).

We allowed "anti" signature messages up until this point in the interest of being "fair" to everyone's beliefs. However, the fact is these "anti" messages in signatures bring nothing but negativity to the site, and are the cause of many arguments and problems. These messages often leave certain groups of people feeling attacked, discriminated against or bullied; when CS should be a safe place for people to come and be free of judgement/discrimination. We feel that there are more positive ways for people to express their beliefs, for example using a "pro-atheism" stamp instead of an "anti-religion" stamp.

We're not asking you to be supportive of things you hate, but simply keep it out of your signature if you don't like something.

It is still allowed to (respectfully) discuss and debate your beliefs and likes/dislikes in forum discussions. We are happy to see members having mature discussions on their beliefs and feelings about issues important to them. In a discussion you are allowing others to rebut your points and feel heard - which is not usually true of signature messages, and that's why signature messages can be especially hurtful and inflammatory.

The types of messages we will not allow in signatures include the following examples:

• "I hate religion"
• "I don't support homosexuality"
• "I'm anti-hunting"
• "Jokes" about harming/killing celebrities e.g. "97% of teens would cry if they saw (celebrity) standing on top of a sky scraper, about to jump. If you're one of the 3% who would sit there eating popcorn screaming "DO A FLIP!" then copy and paste this to your profile."
• "I hate (celebrity)" - we don't expect the celeb to read it, but this can be rude/upsetting to their fans

The kinds of "anti" messages we don't care about are those which don't affect other people, feel free to use anything along those lines:

• "I hate chocolate"
• "I'm anti Mondays"
• "I hate mornings"
• "I hate running"

Please use positive language to describe your interests/beliefs, or keep it out of your signature so we can eliminate the negativity and hate being spread in CS profiles. You are not defined by the things you hate. Help us make this a safe place where everyone feels welcome!

For the next couple of weeks staff will be helping members remove these messages from their signatures without consequences. However, after the 2 weeks is up... 2 weeks is now up, so members who have been active online and continue to display anti messages in their signatures may face warnings or other punishments for not following the new rule.

This rule will also affect trade rules or other profile fields.

Please check your signature/trade rules and profile and get them sorted out ASAP!

[PeachFuzz]

Thank you so, so much <3 This makes me so much more comfortable <33 I feel a lot safer here with this new rule in place. Thank you Tess and staff!!!

[redpanda7070]

Ok, got it

[Melinda Irene Gordon]

Can we say something like we don't support dog fighting?Because anyways since no one on here should support that it shouldn't be a problem.Or how about you don't support animal abuse/Cruelty/Neglect?

[huskyderp]

Great New rules! I think this will
make people more comfortable for who they are

[Tess]

Can we say something like we don't support dog fighting?Because anyways since no one on here should support that it shouldn't be a problem.Or how about you don't support animal abuse/Cruelty/Neglect?

It would be okay to say you don't support crimes and abuse, but it also seems a little unnecessary because I don't think any CS members are pro animal abuse

[Spark]

yeah, this seems fair c:

[youtube.]

Now we can be free and happy!!

[Panne]

Thank you so much for implementing this rule, it'll definitely make CS safer and more comfortable for everyone!

[Bernouli]