Arts & Entertainment
Tumblr bans adult content upsetting users
The block starts Dec. 17
Tumblr porn will soon be a thing of the past. The short-form blog site is officially banning adult content on Dec. 17.
Banned content includes multimedia (photos, videos and GIFs) of “sex acts, human genitalia and female-presenting nipples,” according to the Verge.
Tumblr CEO Jeff D’Onofrio detailed the ban in a blog post.
“Over the past several months, and inspired by our storied past, we’ve given serious thought to who we want to be to our community moving forward and have been hard at work laying the foundation for a better Tumblr,” D’Onofrio writes. “We’ve realized that in order to continue to fulfill our promise and place in culture, especially as it evolves, we must change … Today, we’re taking another step by no longer allowing adult content, including explicit sexual content and nudity (with some exceptions).”
D’Onofrio continues: “Community members with content that is no longer permitted on Tumblr will get a heads up from us in advance and steps they can take to appeal or preserve their content outside the community if they so choose.”
The ban comes a few weeks after the Tumblr app was removed from the Apple App Store following a crackdown on child pornography on the site. Although Tumblr screens for this content, there was still some child pornography found on the site.
Some users were alarmed at the adult content ban as the website was one of the few social media websites where porn was allowed. The social media community also had accumulated a large number of artists (many who identify as LGBT) who produced art that would now be deemed adult content.
.@tumblr please reconsider
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) December 3, 2018
What a lousy decision. Adult content is the only reason I use Tumblr https://t.co/sOYgyFWdkr
— roxane gay (@rgay) December 3, 2018
I deleted my @tumblr today due to their policy change but will not stop writing or posting adult content elsewhere. They can be on the wrong side of history but the kinky, the queer, the sex workers, the witches, the artists, the underground will always survive—and prevail. pic.twitter.com/YnOCPuhpRm
— Sophie Saint Thomas (@TheBowieCat) December 3, 2018
So @tumblr is deciding to ban “adult content” (which will harm NSFW artists and sex workers) on their website starting on International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. Cool. pic.twitter.com/jdSRkLfjFI
— Eliel Cruz (@elielcruz) December 3, 2018
They banning nipples on tumblr but im seeing people get murdered graphically every day on this app. Like real snuff videos, non related to police shootings. Wtf yo. That shit honestly terrible for my mental and fucking up how I value human life. Help? @TwitterSupport
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) December 3, 2018
Child pornography should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Tumblr should work with law enforcement to prosecute anyone circulating such horrifying material. But banning all adult content hurts many artists and sets a dangerous precedent. Sexuality is not a crime.
— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) December 3, 2018
Tumblr just signed it’s own death warrant ? Do they not know their niche in the social media landscape? The place served as a great site for underground artists of all content – including those who like SEX
What’s so bad about that? #tumblrisdead https://t.co/zndUitTB2b
— Brett Gleason (@BrettGleason) December 3, 2018
@tumblr honestly I spend so much time on tumblr. I get all the best fanfics and fan art there. It’s a shame, tumblr was the last place on the internet that wasn’t restrictive. Very sad loss for the internet on the 17th. #riptumblr #tumblrisdead
— Skylar (@ayeeeitsskylar) December 3, 2018
Out & About
Blade Summer Kickoff Party returns to Rehoboth
Politicians slated to speak at annual Blue Moon party
The Washington Blade’s 17th annual Summer Kickoff Party returns Friday, May 17, 5-7 p.m. at the Blue Moon (35 Baltimore Ave.) in Rehoboth Beach, Del.
It’s an exciting election year in Delaware, which is poised to elect its first Black woman senator (Lisa Blunt Rochester) and the nation’s first transgender member of Congress (Sarah McBride).
McBride is scheduled to speak at the party along with several politicos from the area. With the retirement of longtime state Rep. Peter C. Schwartzkopf, a staunch LGBTQ ally, three strong contenders are running to replace him. All three — Marty Rendon, Kathy McGuiness, and Claire Snyder-Hall — are slated to speak at the party. A representative from Blunt Rochester’s campaign is scheduled to speak, along with Kim Leisey, the new executive director of CAMP Rehoboth.
Tax-deductible tickets are $20 and available on Eventbrite or via the Blade’s Facebook page. The party is sponsored by Justin Noble of Sotheby’s, The Avenue Inn & Spa, and Blue Moon.
Andy Cohen, executive producer of “The Real Housewives” franchise and host of “Watch What Happens Live,” will return to Sixth & I on Wednesday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m.
This event will be his fifth appearance at the venue to celebrate the paperback release of his New York Times bestselling memoir, “The Daddy Diaries,” talk about the latest Housewives happenings, and answer audience questions about everyone’s favorite Bravolebrities.
Cohen will be in conversation with Rep. Robert Garcia, who represents California and is the first LGBTQ immigrant to win a congressional seat. Rep. Garcia has also been known to quote from “The Real Housewives” in congressional hearings.
Tickets start at $12 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
“Herses- Purse Frist Extravaganza” will be on Friday, May 3 at 9 p.m. at 1835 14th St. N.W. This will be an evening of dancing and performances, hosted by HAUS of Bambi Award-winning Performance Artist, BUMPER. Refreshments are also available for purchase.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.