Hate speech? In my queue? It's likelier than you think! Also, misc stuff
Pre-Monday open post:
I’ve pretty much worked through everything I can without actually getting help regarding my earlier post. Yes, I’m still being vague about what it is. I want to be clear that it does directly impact my ability to produce blog posts regularly, and this is not something I am able to change at this time. Thank you for the supportive comments on my previous post.
The Monday Open Post will bring a surprise of amazingness and brilliance.
I’ve recently received some hate speech and actual threats in my moderation queue.
I may post in greater depth later, but I want everyone to be aware that occasional commenters have posted anti-trans hate speech several times on this blog over a period of several months, and topped it off with a threat to reveal my personal information (address, specifically) without my consent. Another commenter from the London area, from a different IP address, conveyed further hate speech and anti-trans slurs, and used language that had I heard it in person, I would have immediately called 911. To be more specific: It’s a death threat.
These comments were posted very close together, indicating to me that they were at least in communication about doing this.The language both trolls used is very similar to the transphobic language frequently used at the radical feminist blog “A Room of our Own.” I suspect that both are either readers or contributors, but I don’t have anything firm at this time.
I don’t particularly care about hiding this. I want people to be aware of who is doing this – who is actually at this point trying to intimidate me and my co-bloggers, who is trying to attack and harass us. Who is specifically using threats intended to silence us.
If any trans bloggers would like their IP addresses so you can look out for them (or find comments they’ve written in the past), e-mail qt.lisah@gmail.com and I’ll send all information you need.
Edit: Removed names because I don’t know for sure.
Edit a second time: I used up all remaining spoons on responding to this thing, and I didn’t realize that Butterflywings was harassing Helen at BoP as well. Also Lucky and Athena, for that matter. I love the bullying campaign aimed at Helen, complete with threats – and Butterflywings then demanding that Helen stop bullying her. I swear to god. are these people for real?
Jesus, that’s sickening. Sorry to hear about that.
z
18 Jul 10 at 9:27 pm
The threats are terrible.
I really appreciate the years I’ve been reading and commenting on this blog. Thank you for its continued existence.
jayinchicago
18 Jul 10 at 9:38 pm
I don’t comment much here, but I follow Jay (and those who made similar comments on the previous post(s)) in appreciating the presence of this blog. I don’t care if the activity levels shift now and again; after all, you’re doing this in your own time, and personal issues have to come first.
transactivist
18 Jul 10 at 10:44 pm
Frequent reader, infrequent commenter here to say that I appreciate everything you do and continue to support you no matter what these horrible bigots might say or do. I hope you stay safe.
Poetry
18 Jul 10 at 11:04 pm
Hmm, okay, I just got as much confirmation as I think I’ll get that the one with the death threats is in fact Butterflywings, who has been engaged in a prolonged campaign of bullying against Helen at Bird of Paradox.
The one who threatened to out us is known as either Athena or Lucky Nkl.
And I was correct that they are at least regulars at A Room Of Our Own
Lisa Harney
19 Jul 10 at 1:26 am
It’s horrible that people will do this, and I think all of us appreciate that you’d use up your spoons to do this.
chartreuseflamethrower
19 Jul 10 at 4:09 am
I also had a comment from Butterflywings recently (to a year old post, no less) that was pretty troll-y. Good use of hir time, I’m sure…
Rebecca
19 Jul 10 at 5:30 am
Well I usually just lurk here, but I am sending good vibes your way. Please take care of yourself first if you are feeling shaken.
As for the terrorists, I can’t really say I am too surprised. It is the outcome of a totalizing philosophy that feels its grip on the larger feminist community slipping and so is lashing out.
alexmac
19 Jul 10 at 6:49 am
Death threats?!? You should forward those to the FBI (I’m guessing you’re in America or Canada; you mention 911). I believe Scotland Yard has a cyber-crimes division – you should let them know, as well. (They might also be interested in the threat to reveal your personal information; that sort of information is protected in the UK.)
You and I may dislike each other, but I can’t imagine anyone wishing you harm! While there is little you can do about threats to reveal personal information, death threats are another thing altogether! Don’t let them go unreported. It’s one thing to criticize someone, it’s quite another to threaten any sort of harm, let alone issue death threats!
You should publish the details for all to see, and to shame those malicious criminals. Such threats need to be rewarded with jail time.
I’d like to say how sorry I am you’ve been subjected to such despicable threats. I wish you well.
Carolyn Ann
Carolyn Ann
19 Jul 10 at 7:27 am
Butterflywings doesn’t seem to be bothering with me since I pretty much just rated and critiqued her trolling on my blog. XD
I guess that wasn’t the wanted response.
If you’re curious, I gave her a 2.5 out of 10.0. She really needs to practice her technique.
genderbitch
19 Jul 10 at 8:04 am
If you may have noticed, I’ve closed up shop on my public blogs. While I can’t go into more specific detail, I’ll just say that the specificity and the frequency of these online threats is…worrisome, and as you know, I don’t scare easily.
Whatever you do, please stay safe, and do what you have to do. There’s a lotta backlash out there, and many of these folks come from groups with a known history of hate violence directed at women with trans histories.
Siempre quedamos en la lucha, voz
voz
19 Jul 10 at 10:06 am
Oh Jesus fuck. I’ve been out of the loop blogwise for a while now; sorry and disgusted to hear this. I hope the threateners get whatever legal karma is coming to them and quickly. That needs to end.
belledame222
19 Jul 10 at 6:00 pm
You do great work here; thank you so much for all of it. I can’t count the times I’ve read something here where you or Queen Emily have pithily summed up something I’d been fumbling with.
But please do keep taking care of yourself first and foremost–taking time off for any reason you need, naming the people who are harassing and threatening you, whatever you need to do.
tinamou
19 Jul 10 at 10:13 pm
Helen also blogs here.
Just a reminder.
Lisa Harney
20 Jul 10 at 12:01 am
Well well…
Folks who recall my writing at Bilerico may recall that there was a group of four gals who liked to make rather interesting statements regarding me.
A bit of research led me towards the aforementioned folks.
They generally avoid me, personally, however. I suspect that several of the anonymous phone calls I’ve received may have something to do with them, but in the end I’m not worried about it.
Personally.
Death threats are not only uncool, but they are extraordinarily frightening.
Given that my information is not only readily available online, but that I put it out there on purpose, it’s only a matter of time before someone decides to move the anonymous phone calls up to the next level.
When they do, I hope they are prepared for what they get in response.
I know I am.
Dyssonance
20 Jul 10 at 12:43 am
Whoa. I’m with the “report them” crew on this one. Death threats? :/
Samia
20 Jul 10 at 6:32 am
If you feel safe doing so, I would also say report them.
And man, I checked out their purported blog, the ROOO, holy fuck it’s disgusting!
Good luck, sending good, supportive vibes!
switchintoglide
20 Jul 10 at 6:58 am
Whoops, my bad. Helen too!
tinamou
20 Jul 10 at 7:56 am
Ugh… How horrible. Take care of yourself. And, yeah, do think about reporting them if you need to.
Kristin
21 Jul 10 at 2:31 pm
I’m so sorry, that’s so terrible. I’m on team “report it,” if you feel that’s an option (still catching up, so sorry if i’m commenting on old news here).
Butch Fatale
28 Jul 10 at 6:56 pm
I’ve reported it as far as I can at this point. I’m not sure whether any action’s being taken.
Lisa Harney
28 Jul 10 at 7:04 pm
Lisa, Helen, and Emily -
Internet research is a huge part of my job, so if you all need any help – I’ll gladly offer what I can.
Lucky Nkl… that’s a name I haven’t seen in a minute, nearly as vomit inducing as DWB…
laughriotgirl
29 Jul 10 at 10:33 am
Lucky Nkl’s been with us for so very, very long.
Lisa Harney
29 Jul 10 at 1:47 pm