Consensus: "create a new "forum liaison" position for the GLBT forum "

[Behind the Aegis]

From the I think it's time to talk about some ideas... thread, Skinner asked us to come to a consensus about three items. I read the thread many times, and I am not sure I could even gather a consensus. Therefore, I thought, well, put it in a more direct form. I am creating three threads for each of the three points. What will be different about this thread is this one will be divided into a "pro" and "con" sub-thread. After, let's say a week, then I suggest we put it to a vote in a poll, with the "pro/con" thread as a reference point. Confused?

This thread will have two posts by me as #1 and #2 (hopefully) which will say "pro" and "con". Under those subthreads, people will present arguments for or against the particular topic. I feel it might be easier to create a bullet list if people wrote their post and ended it with a bullet point summary.

Example:

I am for deleting posts in this forum because it will just add to the animosity. I have seen too many examples of hateful remarks (examples). It really just makes this place a sad place to read and the topic is lost and becomes a flamefest.

• contributes to animosity
  
• flamefests

After people have had their say, then I suggest creating a poll to vote on the topic, with the list of pros and cons. Once this is done, then we can present something to Skinner.

Let's see how it goes....

2. Do you want Democratic Underground to create a new "forum liaison" position for the GLBT forum (and any other forum that wants it), who would have the power to block any person from their assigned forum for any reason? If so, which person (or people) would you like to serve in this position?

See also: Consensus: "deleting posts in the GLBT forum"

See also: Consensus: "forum where GLBT DUers and African-American DUers can have a dialogue"

[Behind the Aegis]

1. Pro: "create a new "forum liaison" position for the GLBT forum "

[William769]

3. Pro.

None.

[The Philosopher]

8. Pro

• Creates a pathway of open communication between LGBT posters and Moderators/Admins without fear of repercussions (like a banning for calling out Mods & whatnot). This open communication, to me, is the central part of the position; without it, there's no reason for it.
  
  
• It should be a democratically elected position by LGBT members, filled by a LGBT member.
  
  
• Creates a position that we can trust. Mods are volunteers and that's great, but considering how moderation is handled now (we're told DU3 will be better), it's easy for someone who dislikes LGBT and this forum to control the conversations here, allowing for attacks to remain and happen.
  
  
• So long as there is a consensus that a poster should be blocked from the forum, the blocking of a poster will only add to a positive atmosphere and safety that we desire. The forum isn't just one where we talk about party issues in relation to the LGBT community: it's a symbol to people that there is a safe place to communicate, to talk, to be LGBT with other LGBT members. It's a symbol of what makes the Democratic Party different from the Republican Party and a symbol of what makes the Democratic Party great.

[Lyric]

10. Pros

Helps establish trust and better relations between GLBT members and admins/mods by providing a translator/mediator/representative who can explain things from our perspective and help ameliorate misunderstandings before they spiral into something hurtful.

Empowers us to exercise some control over our "safe space".

Allows us an increased role in deciding what we want our community to be, and who we want to share it with.

Provides a path to protection for traumatized, hurting GLBT people who want a place where homophobia and gay-baiting, even the subtle, passive-aggressive kind, is not tolerated, while ensuring that those of us who feel energized and confident enough to challenge homophobic comments are still free to do so in the "big" forums--which is where most of those comments are made anyway.

Could help discourage the attacking/stalking/harassing behaviors perpetrated by other people upon GLBT members because it can be seen as direct evidence and confirmation that our community IS valued and respected by the mods/admins, despite all claims/hints to the contrary.

[Smarmie Doofus]

11. Pro: I want a "liaison". Obviously we've had trouble communicating with...

... the DU high command. If Skinner is offering us this kind of access , we should take him up on it.

At the same time: I don't want that person vested w. the power to gate-keep the forum or to unilaterally pull threads, posts, or posters. That's just nuts.

So... a qualified "yes". And yes, we should vote on the person.

[Behind the Aegis]

2. Con: "create a new "forum liaison" position for the GLBT forum "

[William769]

4. Con.

Very bad idea. Although I love all my friends in the GLBT forum thats just to much power for one person.

[yardwork]

9. I vote against this idea. We don't need a "junior mod."

[xchrom]

5. what's with the unrecing these threads? nt

[Smarmie Doofus]

6. I just put it in +1 territory.

But I'm going to ruminate a while before weighing in. Want to see what others say.

The threads are a good idea. We needed someone w. an orderly intellect to set up a structure.

[xchrom]

7. i love my peeps -- i don't know if i'll ever have much of an opinion

after the primaries/election thing.

too many of us disappeared -- some good ones now back -- but it's just different now.