Quote by Ironic
President Biden seems to be sending mixed signals.
his wife has covid. duh. that's kind of protocol if someone close to you has covid. well, for non-assholes, that is. it's all about protecting others, afterall.
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sprite
3 hours ago
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Her Royal Spriteness
Quote by AngelWorthy
* Authors ESPECIALLY should be permitted to solicit and advertise their stories. - That was not what I was wanting clarified. Authors have been allowed to promote and advertise their stories in the chatrooms. The question or issue I would like clarity on is - Are authors permitted to "solicit for Lush coins", while promoting and advertising their stories in the chatroom? It seems the answer is "Yes, authors can "solicit for Lushcoins" when promoting their new stories in the chatroom".
* As for them being shut down for it, please refer to my answer to ImpureThoughts question in my comment above.
So, let me get this straight, in my head. At this point in time there is no written rules with regards to the solicitation of Lushcoins. Any member, whether author or performer, can solicit for Lush Coins (in any way, shape or form) anywhere on the site. Be it on their profiles, in groups, in the forums, in Lushmail, in the open chatrooms, in private chatrooms & in private messages. And this could/might change at any time without prior notice.
Thankyou sprite, for clarifying this issue, for me & possibly a few others.
yep, you pretty much got it right
Her Royal Spriteness
why would we be preparing for another lockdown? people still get covid. it's usually mild - it's mutated plus most of us (the smart ones) have gotten vaccinated and boostered. i'm sure i'll get it again at some point but it'll probably be mild as well. Dr Biden's case, from what i heard, is fairly mild and she's doing all the right things like staying away from people and all that.
Her Royal Spriteness
Quote by AngelWorthy
So let me get this straight, in my head.
1. It is No longer the case. A. Lush is no longer keeping a close eye on "performers" soliciting/asking for lushcoins for sexual favours on their profiles &/or in the chatrooms. & B. It is acceptable for "performers" to solicit for lushcoins.
2. It is acceptable for "all" Lush members (paid subscribers or non-paid subscribers / authors or non-authors) to promote sexual favours for lushcoins on their profiles. There is no rule saying we can't do this.
3. Yes, Authors are permitted &/or encouraged to solicit for Lush coins when they post in the chatrooms about their new stories. (Although I have, in the past, seen authors being shut down for doing such things in the chatrooms.)
& 4. Lastly, my understanding is correct in thinking I, or any member, can solicit for lushcoins on my/their profile, asking if you like my profile please send/gift some lushcoins.
Yes. I can absolutely see how the original intentions of Lushcoins "being a way for readers to show their appreciation to authors they enjoy reading" is working. Not. More like Lushcoins are a way to show performers they are more appreciated for their sexual favours. But what do I know, I don't solicit Lushcoins for sexual favours, or ask my readers to send/gift Lushcoins.
i didn't say Lush wasnt paying attention. they are. it's just, at this point, there's been no ruling. also, keeping an eye on everything that goes on around here is not at the top of the priority list and there's a lot of what we deem more important work do keep a very busy team... well, very busy. like our story mods, for example. we're pretty busy just getting stuff published. all the other stuff? yeah, not on the radar, really.
2. at this point, i believe that it is acceptable, yes. not a big fan, personally, but that's just me.
3. imo, authors ESPECIALLY should be permitted to solicit and advertise their stories. can't tell you anything about them being shut down for it, seeing as i stay out of the chatrooms myself and this is the first time i've heard anything about it. not saying it doesn't happen, just that i'm unaware if it does.
4. keeping it simple - to my knowledge, yes. you can. that may change. or not.
5. i'm with you. i don't solicit or ask for tips. probably why i don't get any despite my long-standing and prolific career as a writer here. lol i need better PR people or something.
Her Royal Spriteness
Quote by Vampire_vixen
Don't know about plans for the coins. I agree about the writers not being compensated. I have already said it would be nice if the site owners gave a few coins for new stories, or stories with a lot of reads/diff etc. The stories drive the site and put money in the owners pockets. That said, I believe if you have coins, you should be able to do what you want with them. Once bought or received, they belong to you. Just saying...
i don't disagree with you. just wishing that the world was a fairer place where people who put in the hard work got compensated for it fairly.
Her Royal Spriteness
Quote by AngelWorthy
Can someone in the know please answer? So we all know where we stand.
**
I have read the section on Lushcoins in the Terms and Conditions, and I have read the Coins page that Jen linked in the original comment in this thread (is here for anyone who would like to read it.)
The Coins page says "They [being coins] are a great way for members to be able to generate revenue from their work or site profiles." My understanding from this sentence is that any member can ask (on their site profile) "If you like my profile please send/gift some Lushcoins", or words to that effect. Is my understanding correct?
Thankyou in advance for any/all answers to my questions.
as things stand yep. you can earn them or hand them out any way you wish. will that change? don't know. it's been under discussion since day one since, what they were originally intended for was a way to thank and encourage writers at a site whose very existence was based upon publishing erotic stories. all the other stuff was an afterthought to make the site more enjoyable for members. but yeah, Lush's primary function is it stories. at present, i think the bulk of coins are being given to people posting nudes or cybering and a lot of excellent writers are sitting on the sidelines without a single tip while people continue to enjoy their stories for free. personally, i think that's a bit sad, but that's just me and it is what it is.
Her Royal Spriteness
Quote by Chryses
Senator Schumer's polemic is an example. Schumer warns Kavanaugh and Gorsuch they will ‘pay the price’
very sensationalistic - here is the important part of the comment: Schumer suggested there would be an electoral blowback in the general election after the court reaches a decision, which is expected in late June.
“We will tell and Senate Republicans who have stacked the court with right-wing ideologies that you’re going to be gone in November, and you will never be able to do what you’re trying to do now ever, ever again,” Schumer said. “You’re gone in November.”
that is what was meant by paying the price. no mention of violence, just political blowback.
Her Royal Spriteness
Quote by CuriousAnnie
You asked, Rachel, why? And I don't have an easy answer as I can't get into that mindset. But whatever the reason, I ask myself, where is the tide going. And I like to think in our favour.
Remember my story On Oxford Street, This Gay Girl Found Pride While Playing With Balls | Lush Stories ... I believe in the ending:
"For I have accepted I have a sacred duty; to accept and carry the torch from those who have gone before, like the original 78ers, and to light the way for the next generation so their journey in love is smoother than mine.
We shall overcome."
Those in '78 in Sydney and those at Stonewall had it tough, tougher than us. On their shoulders we stand, on our shoulders, future generations will stand; and we shall surely overcome. Whatever the current state of play, the arc of history since the 1970's tells us today isn't the same.
Panglossian or overly pessimistic, what is the future? I think you are too harsh on Danielle, that she has found an accepting community is a good thing. And in France on vacation, the ambiance was as AmuseBouche reported it; supportive. I am sure, as you did with the stats on the UK, one can show that the battle isn't won, but the key for me is the direction.
This last month in Australia has been remarkable. Let me quote a lesbian writer:
"As a queer sports fan, the past few weeks have been incredible. I mean “queer sports fan” in both senses, by the way. I am queer, and I am a sports fan. I am also a fan of queer sports. Never in my 40 years of lesbian living on this Earth have I ever witnessed a more “queer sports” event than the Women’s World Cup (and I’ve played back yard cricket surrounded by butch lesbians in jorts).
According to Outsports, at least 13% of athletes who attended the WC were out, along with three head coaches. The Matildas were dubbed one of the queerest teams of the tournament, with nine first team and three reserve openly queer players. A single tear is rolling down my face as I salute a portrait of Sam Kerr.
As someone who has voluntarily watched a lot of men’s sport as well, the vibe of the World Cup was unmatched. This was for various reasons, but part of it was the effect of having an environment so completely accepting of queerness. For one, I never once felt in danger of hearing a gay slur be shouted in a crowd. It was a lovely reality to live in for a while, one where we allow athletes to be themselves and everyone is normal about it."
That's not a win, we are still playing for equality, but maybe a sign that the support of the Matildas in the straight community means the game down under is going our way.
There is nothing like having a baby to focus one's mind. It's informative to see how my mother's group has moved away from a (non-religious) mum who is so negative about the gay community that she is going to home school. I don't want my son exposed to that, he has three generations of out (well early on, not quite as out as we would like) and proud, and I want him celebrating the legacy of the gay and lesbian part of the family he's born into.
Country by country, surveys say: "At the same time, the U.S. still maintains one of the lowest rates of acceptance among the Western European and North and South American countries surveyed." I worry about the trends in the US, but I'm loath to offer an answer about a culture I have visited but never lived in. I hope my story: Never Mind the Bollocks: What’s Love Got To Do With It | Lush Stories never comes to pass.
Hugs and lots of love, my friend.
You are a wonderful advocate for what is right. Don't let the bastards get you down. ❤️
you, as always, inspire. we followed the Matildas, btw, a little heartbroken that they didn't win it all, but damn, they had heart. i know that things are headed in the right direction, but like you said, MY country is not keeping up and that's all i really have to judge by. i still hear the gay slurs in a crowd, see the hate firsthand. see the laws that are being passed that are meant to erase us. Kate's become pretty politically active in the queer community lately. in the past year we've received two death threats. not sure how credible they were, but it's a wake up call we didn't need. i love that your son is part of the new wave of kids, those who are accepting and comfortable with queerness. that is such a gift to the rest of the world, so thank you.
Her Royal Spriteness
Quote by kistinspencil
I have nothing of real substance to offer, just an example of how little things are daily suffered for some of us.
There is a local park where I like to walk and photograph birds and things. I carry a pretty large camera on a tripod. Today, I stopped and set up to see if I could get some shots of a rarish bird that had been reported there yesterday. As I was standing there waiting, a woman marched up and said sharply, "I see what you're doing. If you dare take pictures of any of the children, I'll report you to the ranger, and they'll throw you in jail. Got it?" then stomped off before I could reply.
To set the scene, there is a children's play area there, but it was 30 degrees behind my left shoulder and I had never even glanced at it. I am 6' 3" tall, lean, with a pretty obvious butch hair crop. I had on my usual Orvis plaid shirt, sleeves rolled up high, long cargo shorts, knee socks and men's Merrell trail boots. So here's the thing. There were three other photographers, two men (one older, one younger) and another woman (about my age) randomly within 15 feet of me, also set up and waiting. There was nothing to indicate we were together as a group.
They got no notice from her at all, no accusation, no threat. Just me.
So how did she decide who was the perceived threat? I can think of no reason for her action except that they looked "normal" and I did not. I packed my gear and left.
This is not a new thing to me nor unusual. It's mostly a pointed look, rather than a vocal, but I get it a lot. There is nothing Sprite about me, so I just accept it as a given and plan everything I do to have as little interaction with people as possible.
kate and i are lucky, in a sense, while seattle is very liberal and queer friendly, the rest of the state of washington can take a bit of navigation. we both can easily pass - for those not in the know, that means we don't "look queer" or at least what people expect queer people to look like. when we take road trips we sometimes decide to do exactly that - pass. i don't like it. Kate doesn't like it - but sometimes personal safety comes into play. we cut don't on the PDA, not that we are overly intimate in public, but there are all those little gestures that turn a pair of friends into a couple. less and less we are willing to go this route, but still, we are mindful of our surroundings. we've had only one encounter turn to violence, but that's one too many. it turned out okay, but it does make you aware that you are a target. are vulnerable.
i am sorry you have to go through stuff like that. just continue being you - my pledge to you. no more passing. i am who i am and i'm not going to hide that anymore. thank you for inspiring me and much love to an incredible woman. keep taking pictures to share with the rest of us. thank you.
Her Royal Spriteness
Quote by Chryses
I am sure we all know of incendiary language from both sides of the political spectrum.
yep. i mean, just last week, Seattle enacted a law to ban straight people from using public bathrooms. next week we're going after people not dressed in drag.
Her Royal Spriteness
Quote by Chryses
If the representatives you refer to only represent a minority, you would have a strong argument. As much anti-discrimination law has been legislated during the last few years, I suggest those representatives have not limited their representation to any particular minority.
I am sure we all know of incendiary language from both sides of the political spectrum.
so, in other words, your conclusion is that straights hate LGBTQ+ people. i imagine that includes you?
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Quote by Buz
Everyone should treat everyone as they themselves would like to be treated.
If you give out kindness to everyone you come in contact with, you'll, by far, mostly receive kindness in return.
Try to ignore jerks being rude. Do not respond to them. I've worked hard on doing this myself over the last few years.
I do think that most of the aggression and hate aimed at transgender people is politically motivated. The same is true for that aimed at the rest of the LGBTQ community. Rightwing politicians are spewing hate to get the votes of a large undercurrent of bigotry that still exists.
no, no you won't. that's experience speaking. people who are anti-lgbtq aren't going to respond to kindness by being kind. they are are going to continue to hate and to discriminate and to perform acts of violence no matter how you treat them - and many of our leaders are fostering this mindset, sadly. they are saying that it's ok to be anti-lgbtq and that leads to more violence and more discrimination. i am done being nice. if you're coming at me with that mindset, i am not going to turn the other cheek. it's why i now own a handgun. it's why i have lost "friends". and it's why i don't put up with that shit anymore. ignoring the jerks just gives them permission to go on being jerks. fuck that shit. if they want confrontation, they are going to get confrontation.
Her Royal Spriteness
Quote by Beffer
It's a mistake to generalize that straight people as a whole are LGBT phobic.
if you're not speaking up against homophobia, you are tacitly supporting it. do i believe that all straight people are homophobic? no. of course not. so, if you're not, prove it. act. be an ally. speak up when you see an incident. do the right thing. i;m not black but if i see an incident of racism, i say something. same goes with any minority. any other response is supporting racism. same goes for homophobia. am i a hard lining bitch? you betcha i am. do i want to be? not really. i'd much prefer we all get along. unfortunately, it's not a choice for me. you have to take a stand.
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Quote by DanielleX
I honestly disagree. I can't answer for the USA but I don't think there is widespread homophobia in the UK. I'm not saying it doesn't exist but I think there is general acceptance. Thinking overall from my lesbian and gay friends they are not experiencing regular prejudice or hate, if at all. Definitely not saying it never happens to anyone but by and large it's not a major thing. I don't know hundreds of same sex attracted people but if there's widespread homophobia in the UK then it's being covered up by the media and victims are failing to speak out.
https://www.stonewall.org.uk/lgbt-britain-hate-crime-and-discrimination
Her Royal Spriteness
Quote by KimmiBeGood
It wouldn’t be for me because I try to treat everyone kindly and fairly. Not all straight people hate people with different sexual orientations. And I’m sorry people have hurt you.
of course not for you - i hope you didn't think i meant differently, and i'm actually more upset at the people hurting others - i can take care of myself just fine. not everyone is as resilient.
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Quote by Ensorceled
Done with both seasons. I loved it but you are right, SUPER stressful. That star-packed family dinner is awesome (Jamie Lee Curtis!!!)
i had to actually stop watching that one after about 15 minutes and watch the rest later, just too much crazy for my brain! 
i loved Richie's arc, btw, he really redeemed himself towards the end.
Her Royal Spriteness
Quote by KimmiBeGood
I have always thought that fear is the root of all hate. So I’ve asked myself what do the haters fear from gays, trans. The only thing I can come up with is straight people fear your numbers will grow, if you are supported, to where one day you will be the majority and straight people will become the minority. No one wants to be in the minority in the U.S. because everyone sees how minorities have been treated throughout history.
it would certainly be hellish to all of a sudden start being treated like you've been treating others, wouldn't it.
Her Royal Spriteness
Quote by Chryses
I will tell you this because it seems no one else will.
The best you can hope for in your lifetime is there will be some improvement in the social acceptance of non-heterosexuals. This beneficial change will be greater in some locales and less in others.
Many years ago, the German physicist Max Planck declared that science advances one funeral at a time. The (grand)father of quantum physics noted, “A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents die, and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it.”
Using the above as a guideline, Race is an example of how slowly and how quickly social change takes. The modern effort to change race relations started in Brown v Board, fifteen years before the Stonewall Riot, and no one considers that issue resolved.
Adults have, by and large, learned how to live with the society they have grown up in. Few welcome rapid changes, and it is unwise to expect them to update their POVs any more rapidly than they must. When people feel they are being pushed too far or too fast from their norms, those people will fight to preserve what they are familiar and comfortable with. Ref here your comment in re backlash. You recognize those social norms by acknowledging it is not your place to out someone.
Referring back to Prof. Planck, I make no recommendations, for my social milieu is sufficiently different from yours for the two to be incommensurate.
edited
i am okay with change being slow. that is the nature of the beast. what i am not okay with is our elected officials using their power to represent the far right minority to enact laws that actively harm the people they are supposed to represent, as well as foster an atmosphere where hatred and violence are used to slow down or stop that change.
