Popular Post Heart Posted August 18, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted August 18, 2016 AVEN’s Terms of Service forbids slurs and hate speech against groups of people. However, certain words have different meanings and connotations in different cultures. What is considered a slur in one culture, may be seen as innocuous in another. A word might also be normal in some contexts, but a slur in others. This thread seeks to give examples of slurs that are prohibited, except in limited contexts, that might be seen as acceptable by some. Please note that this list is not exhaustive and certain words that some consider slurs may not be listed here. The Admod Team will do it’s best to take into account the context of each use of a potential slur, and, if used without malice, will explain why that slur should be avoided before considering disciplinary action. Spoiler Cunt: While this is used commonly in Australia and the UK, to the point of being a term of endearment in some contexts, in North America is considered one of the most taboo and offensive words in the English language. Therefore, we ask that it not be used, except in discussions about the word and those discussions should be limited to Hot Box and Site Comments. Fag/Faggot: These are both considered slurs against people in the LGBT community. We understand they are also a word for cigarettes and a meat dish in the UK, as well as the older usage as a bundle of sticks. Using the word in proper context and not as a slur will not be considered against the ToS (I.E. you may not use it as a derogatory term and claim you were referring to a dish or cigarette). However, using it as a word for those within the LGBT community, or in any sort of derogatory manner, will result in a warning. Retard: A slur against those with intellectual disabilities, but also a term used in science and music. It is okay to use it for the latter cases, but should be avoided beyond that. Spazz/Spastic: These and derivatives are considered slurs when used to refer to those with Cerebral Palsy and similar conditions. Also please don't use these terms as part of your user name. Additionally, AVEN is a place for people to figure out their identity. As a result, many members on here are also exploring their gender identity and many identity as trans and non-binary. There are also many AVEN members who aren’t educated on these issues and may not be aware of what terms may be hurtful to trans and non-binary individuals. Here is a non-exhaustive list of slurs which should never be used to refer to trans and non-binary individuals: Spoiler Trap, tranny, hermaphrodite, shemale, he-she Certain words that are generally acceptable to use when posting -- if there is nothing else against the ToS about the post -- are not allowed in usernames. This list is a list of examples, and is not exhaustive; the admod team reserves the right to act on words we didn't think to put here, if the word is deemed inappropriate or vulgar. Such words include, but are not limited to: blow job, anal, fuck, and other sexually explicit words, as well as shit, asshole, and swear words. 69 Link to post Share on other sites
Heart Posted December 6, 2017 Author Share Posted December 6, 2017 For posterity, the old version of this post, made on August 18th 2016, is as follows: Spoiler The admod team has decided to elaborate on what words are considered insulting to use. Such words have strong meanings in some cultures, and are considered either highly insulting to a group of people (even if the person or thing you are referring to is not included in that group) or as abrasive content. Examples of such words include, but are not limited to: Spoiler retard / retarded, cunt, nigger, chink, fag, faggot, hermaphrodite, jap, niglet, tranny, trap, wetback. Please refrain from using these words and words like them as insults or derogatory terms. Words such as retard and trap have different meanings, and are completely fine when used to refer to the alternate meanings (such as using retard in a musical terminology or scientific sense). It is also ok to use these words to discuss their meanings and / or connotations and why they may not be acceptable (for example, you may post asking why "trap" is an insult to a group of people). However, it is not acceptable to use these words as insults to people, or as a way of describing something as bad (eg "This rule is retarded" or "That person is retarded"). Please note that using the word "gay" to call something bad (eg "That's so gay!" to mean "That's stupid!") is also covered in this clause. Such uses of these sorts of words has been deemed actionable under the Terms of Service, as either personal insults or offensive content. Please remember that AVEN is a multicultural platform with members from all over the world. What may not be considered an insult in one culture can be very offensive in another; such a thing would be considered a breach of the Terms of Service. The admod team may add to this list over time if new insulting words come into repeated usage on AVEN. However, this is not meant to be an exhaustive list. If you have any questions, please feel free to PM an admod. I have now updated it with the new version, effective December 6th 2017. 9 Link to post Share on other sites
iff Posted March 19, 2018 Share Posted March 19, 2018 this has been updated on one of the terms, the previous wording was Fag/Faggot: These are both slurs used against those in the LGBT, but also a word for cigarettes and a meat dish (or a bundle of sticks) respectively in the UK. They should both be avoided except in discussions about the words themselves. Cigarettes should be called cigarettes, not fags; meatballs should be called meatballs, not faggots. We have now updated it with the new version, effective March 19th 2018 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Heart Posted November 30, 2018 Author Share Posted November 30, 2018 Updated to add this: Quote Certain words that are generally acceptable to use when posting -- if there is nothing else against the ToS about the post -- are not allowed in usernames. This list is a list of examples, and is not exhaustive; the admod team reserves the right to act on words we didn't think to put here, if the word is deemed inappropriate or vulgar. Such words include, but are not limited to: blow job, anal, fuck, and other sexually explicit words, as well as shit, asshole, and swear words. 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Skycaptain Posted March 25, 2020 Share Posted March 25, 2020 Spazz, spastic and derivatives when used as a slur against those with Cerebral Palsy and similar conditions. Also please don't use these terms as part of your user name. Link to post Share on other sites
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