Target: Garrett Camp, Founder & Chairman of StumbleUpon
Goal: Stop categorizing LGBTQ topics as “Not Safe for Work” on StumbleUpon
The popular website, StumbleUpon, categorizes heterosexual sex to be “safe for work” but homosexual sex to be “not safe for work.” Therefore, StumbleUpon’s categorization sends a message that all same-sex topics, including diversity and parenting, are unacceptable in public viewing places. We must demand that StumbleUpon adjust their topic categorizations to reflect an inclusive environment for all website users.
It is discriminatory to lump all topics related to gay, lesbian, bisexual transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) interests together with pornography websites. Such a categorization suggests that the sole purpose of homosexuality is intercourse, which is unfair and inaccurate. If StumbleUpon users wanted to share articles about LGBTQ culture, diversity, or relationship concerns, they would have to select the “not safe for work” category, even though the articles contain no graphic images or text.
StumbleUpon isn’t the only website blurring this distinction. A Mother Jones article titled, “Why Is the Pentagon Blocking LGBT and Progressive Websites?” describes how LGBT blogs like Human Rights Campaign and gay military sites like OutServe-SLDN have been blocked, despite their non-graphic content.
Fortunately, StumbleUpon has acknowledged the error of their ways and has begun to make changes to their discriminatory changes. Unfortunately, these changes have not gone far enough. StumbleUpon has recently transferred the LGBTQ Culture categories to the “safe list,” however, the LGBTQ Sex categories still remain on the “unsafe list.” This is troubling because heterosexual health has always been on the “safe list”.
Sign the below petition to urge StumbleUpon to categorize heterosexual and homosexual topics equally on its website.
Dear Mr. Camp,
Thank you for acknowledging the errors in StumbleUpon’s topic categorization and beginning to bring equal rights to the LGBTQ community. LGBTQ issues do not automatically correlate with “unsafe” issues. Cyber culture is sensitive and we need you to be a leader in ending discrimination on the Internet.
I am urging you to re-categorize the LGBTQ sex topics on StumbleUpon to make a distinction between what is educational and what is pornographic. By recognizing the differences in these topics and acknowledging their similarity to similar heterosexual topics, you will be setting an example for other discriminatory websites to rightfully follow as well.
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: StumbleUpon, Inc.