Legal question...

[Smellincoffee]

I'm a member of a community of people -- some of those people identify as asexual, and others are friends and relatives of asexuals, and want to know more. Recently the website was closed down by the host for being "adult content". Is there a precedent for the dicussion of sexual identity not being adult content?

 

[Xanikk999]

How can you be asexual? Its not biologically possible with humans.

Im sorry but i dont understand your question. To be asexual means to produce offspring without a partner and they would be genetically identical.

 

[Tenochtitlan]

I think by asexual he means a person who doesn't feel any sexual urges.

 

[Smellincoffee]

How can you be asexual? Its not biologically possible with humans.

Im sorry but i dont understand your question. To be asexual means to produce offspring without a partner and they would be genetically identical.

That definition is more accuratly given to asexual reproduction.

To quote the first paragraph of Wiki's article on asexuality:

Asexuality is a general term or self-designation for people who lack sexual attraction or otherwise find sexual behavior unappealing. There is debate as to whether this is a sexual dysfunction or a sexual orientation; furthermore, there is disagreement over the exact definition of the word. The term is sometimes used as a gender identity by those who believe their lack of sexual attraction places them outside the traditional definitions of gender. There has been little research done on asexuality, but those studies that have been conducted suggest that, if it is a sexual orientation, it is among the least common.

 

[Arcadian83]

Firstly, if you are thinking about any real legal action (from your use of the term 'precedent'), do not trust random people online for advice. Ask a real lawyer. IANAL.

That said, I'd say if it was just discussion and not solicitation or sharing sexual pics, they were wrong to shut it down. I think most rational people would agree with this. Proving this to them may be difficult however, and depending on the ownership situation, freedom of speech will not protect you from them doing what they will with their own servers.

Who closed it down? Was is the owner, or their service provider? If it was the service provider, they could probably setup elsewhere without too much trouble. If it was some self-styled 'watchdog' then you might be able to convince the provider to allow it again.

The letter of the law probably has little to do with it.

 

[JollyRoger]

I'm a member of a community of people -- some of those people identify as asexual, and others are friends and relatives of asexuals, and want to know more. Recently the website was closed down by the host for being "adult content". Is there a precedent for the dicussion of sexual identity not being adult content?

The host has a contractual right to shut down certain content that breaches the contract the website signed with them. To me, it is questionable whether a community as you describe breaches the "adult content" restriction in the agreement. However, I would say that, from a practical standpoint, it would be easier to move to another host, with explicit language in you contract making it clear that your community's topic doesn't breach any "adult content" restriction rather than trying to fight your current host.

 

[QuoVadisNation]

Cyberlaw is much more tentative than typical law in this country. Normally, I could look up federal precedent, federal statues, rules & regs, and all the subsequent Shepards citations involved, but I'm too damn lazy. Sometimes, it's better to look at the darn "contract".

Although sometimes, the cost of going to court just isn't worth it. What would I suggest? Don't waste money and go to a different forum/community instead or move the community elsewhere.

edit: After reading it a little more carefully, it might be a fun discrimination case. (assuming there truly wasn't any adult content involved; was there?).