• IMPORTANT: The Buy/Sell forums are now for reference only; all shops are closed here. Please visit the new Marketplace for active buying and selling. Old sellers can access their previous shop links in these forums for setting up new shops in the Marketplace.

Active [Suggestion] LGBT Groups, Forums, or Threads

Element Of Smash

Unslaad Krongrah
Donor
Credits
20
So, I have an idea. I was reading through a thread called "Change is Good" posted by @Saraceaser a while back, and this thought kinda came to me. Also, I saw @Dom mention that he liked to be tagged in new ideas, so there you go, man.

One big thing that I've noticed here, and in a parallel that I've drawn to other competitive scenes I've been a part of (like Smogon U, Smash Bros and Street Fighter) is that our community as it stands now is almost solely concerned about talking shop about Pokemon. Which is definitely not a bad thing. Obviously, Pokemon is the reason we sought out, found, and subsequently settled in here. But when it's the only thing anyone really feels they have the leeway or reason to talk about, it creates a divide. It does make it easier for older, more experienced players to create a close, interconnected network of people and friendships. But it means newer people who must learn enough things or get enough experience to talk the same shop feel like they can't contribute and stay silent, not being given that opportunity to assimilate into these networks. Or worse, they give up, and just stop playing. And this is the nature of the beast. It's just how things tend to naturally progress.

But that doesn't mean it's the best way to do things, or even a good way. This kind of structure inhibits growth. Growth that we are seeking, that we need. And if we look closely at the communities that are growing, we'll find they have other auxilliary groups or networks that link together. One example would be Smash Sisters, a group that seeks to support new and old female smash players, and help them integrate into what can definitely seem like a very intimidating scene.

What if we made an LGBT group? It's something that's deeply personal, and integral to who these people are. And it gives a lot of common ground for members to share, especially members who might not normally communicate. Players from different teams, of different tiers, shoppers, sellers, staff and newbie. Doesn't matter. Even LGBT Allies.
This is something that I think is pretty important, and could lend a sense of solidarity and real community to the people on this site.
 

Martin

I'm just kinda here
Donor
Credits
20
There is a very simple way to do this: go to general chat and post an LGBTQ thread. There are no rules against it, and threads like that are precisely what general chat is for :)
 

Saya Kisaragi

The Void Queen
Donor
Credits
0
There is a very simple way to do this: go to general chat and post an LGBTQ thread. There are no rules against it, and threads like that are precisely what general chat is for :)
I was about to say that, but yes it is true. However why its good to have something towards LGBT there is the downside of it, people who are strongly against LGBT. I mean I'm a supporter of the LGBT community since I'm a lesbian, however there people that might cause problems. If anything, I strongly recommend that before you make a thread in general chat have a mod and admin monitor that thread constantly in case there are issues with anti- LGBT people.
 

Element Of Smash

Unslaad Krongrah
Donor
Credits
20
I was about to say that, but yes it is true. However why its good to have something towards LGBT there is the downside of it, people who are strongly against LGBT. I mean I'm a supporter of the LGBT community since I'm a lesbian, however there people that might cause problems. If anything, I strongly recommend that before you make a thread in general chat have a mod and admin monitor that thread constantly in case there are issues with anti- LGBT people.
This is one of the main reasons I was reluctant to just go make the thread, and came instead to the suggestions forum first. I mean, is having a permanently moderated thread feasible? I thought about founding a team a la Quasar around this concept, but that effectively excludes people who are already apart of other teams. Especially if they have a long standing in their team and enjoy the battle centric aspect it provides them. Smashboards had an excellent system in Social Groups set up, which is how I found many connections and became an active member in the community outside my local Melee tournaments. I'm just not sure how it could be effectively and, most importantly, safely here.
I'm also a little concerned about visibility. I can pay to sticky a thread, until I can't. And if people don't know it's there, because it gets buried beneath giveaways and contests and stuff, it's no longer effective.
What do you guys think?
 

notsoclutch

Rare Breed
Donor
Let It Reign
Battler
Credits
35
So yeah, I basically just want to echo what Saya and Martin were saying. Its the purpose of the general chat area with some succesful examples being the music thread and the selfie thread where people who dont necessarily share the same interests in the Pokemone world can get to know one another better.

I like Saya's idea of having a mod look over the thread to keep everything at the very least PC and test the waters to see if interest is there. Maybe pin it, if there is so that any LGB members can easily find it in the future, but like you said, that can be costly.
 

Element Of Smash

Unslaad Krongrah
Donor
Credits
20
So yeah, I basically just want to echo what Saya and Martin were saying. Its the purpose of the general chat area with some succesful examples being the music thread and the selfie thread where people who dont necessarily share the same interests in the Pokemone world can get to know one another better.

I like Saya's idea of having a mod look over the thread to keep everything at the very least PC and test the waters to see if interest is there. Maybe pin it, if there is so that any LGB members can easily find it in the future, but like you said, that can be costly.
If I can get a mod to agree to watch the thread for a little while, maybe a week or two, just to make sure no uproars or completely out of line people come up, then I'm definitely willing to use my PC to keep it pinned as long as I can. With the current system, this does seem like the most elegant way to do it.
 

Dom

The People's Champ
Staff member
Admin
Trusted Seller
Donor
Friendzilla
Journalist
Let It Reign
Iron Will
Credits
9
You don't have to tag me as i'm no longer an admin or active member of the community but I figured id respond since I still check in every so often.

As all of the others had already mentioned a general chat thread would be fine, you can even make a PM group chat if you'd like but those are both things you can do. You say group but what do you mean? You mentioned a team and if you'd like to go for it but i'm not entirely sure as to what you mean by a "group", can you clarify?
 

Element Of Smash

Unslaad Krongrah
Donor
Credits
20
You don't have to tag me as i'm no longer an admin or active member of the community but I figured id respond since I still check in every so often.

As all of the others had already mentioned a general chat thread would be fine, you can even make a PM group chat if you'd like but those are both things you can do. You say group but what do you mean? You mentioned a team and if you'd like to go for it but i'm not entirely sure as to what you mean by a "group", can you clarify?
A "group" is an implementation I've seen on a couple other message boards. It's essentially a user-run, independently moderated sub-forum. They can be open or closed, and public or private. For example, on Smashboards, I was a moderator on the SWF Pony Group. Which meant that concerning the threads and users within that group, I could do most anything a global moderator could. Outside of that group, I was a normal user. Also, that group was public, so everyone could see I was part of it. Conversely, the SWF LGBT Group was private, which meant it was a closed group (needing either an invite or application) and no one could see I was part of that group unless I chose to display it on my profile.
Teams are essentially closed groups that provide a specific function, and give you a neat ribbon for joining. In most cases, this isn't the case.
EDIT: Another contrast: you could belong to as many groups as you wanted, as opposed to teams, where you are part of only one at any given time.
 

Dom

The People's Champ
Staff member
Admin
Trusted Seller
Donor
Friendzilla
Journalist
Let It Reign
Iron Will
Credits
9
A "group" is an implementation I've seen on a couple other message boards. It's essentially a user-run, independently moderated sub-forum. They can be open or closed, and public or private. For example, on Smashboards, I was a moderator on the SWF Pony Group. Which meant that concerning the threads and users within that group, I could do most anything a global moderator could. Outside of that group, I was a normal user. Also, that group was public, so everyone could see I was part of it. Conversely, the SWF LGBT Group was private, which meant it was a closed group (needing either an invite or application) and no one could see I was part of that group unless I chose to display it on my profile.
Teams are essentially closed groups that provide a specific function, and give you a neat ribbon for joining. In most cases, this isn't the case.
EDIT: Another contrast: you could belong to as many groups as you wanted, as opposed to teams, where you are part of only one at any given time.

I get the gist of what you're saying but progression wise I think suggesting groups as a whole would be more viable than suggesting an LGBT group if that makes sense. If you wan to suggest we implement groups to boost a community feeling and to prompt discussions and people of shared interests to have areas to speak of those shared interests then I think that might be a viable option however your suggestion seems sort of specific considering we don't have groups to begin with an LGBT group seems like you want to take two steps as opposed to one at a time.

I understand the differences and I think that it may be a cool feature. That being said if groups were implemented there would be no problem I would imagine with a group for your interest. There would also be no need for a suggestion at that point you'd be able to make it, I recommend you re-purpose this post to suggest groups as a whole to be introduced to the site rather than one specific group if you catch my drift. :]
 

Element Of Smash

Unslaad Krongrah
Donor
Credits
20
I get the gist of what you're saying but progression wise I think suggesting groups as a whole would be more viable than suggesting an LGBT group if that makes sense. If you wan to suggest we implement groups to boost a community feeling and to prompt discussions and people of shared interests to have areas to speak of those shared interests then I think that might be a viable option however your suggestion seems sort of specific considering we don't have groups to begin with an LGBT group seems like you want to take two steps as opposed to one at a time.

I understand the differences and I think that it may be a cool feature. That being said if groups were implemented there would be no problem I would imagine with a group for your interest. There would also be no need for a suggestion at that point you'd be able to make it, I recommend you re-purpose this post to suggest groups as a whole to be introduced to the site rather than one specific group if you catch my drift. :]
That's fair. Although my immediate interest was the best way to go about making this particular subject a thing here, since it's something I can head. Mostly.
But, I might make a second post about groups in general. I DO think it would add a lot to the site, and there's a lot more I can say about them as a whole rather than trying to tie it in to a specific example that's near and dear to my heart.
 

Dom

The People's Champ
Staff member
Admin
Trusted Seller
Donor
Friendzilla
Journalist
Let It Reign
Iron Will
Credits
9
That's fair. Although my immediate interest was the best way to go about making this particular subject a thing here, since it's something I can head. Mostly.
But, I might make a second post about groups in general. I DO think it would add a lot to the site, and there's a lot more I can say about them as a whole rather than trying to tie it in to a specific example that's near and dear to my heart.

In terms of a specific interest group at the moment aside from teams which can be relatively expensive and closed off you can always start a conversation and add in anyone interested, it's a big group chat and as you wanted it's private so only the people in the group know who is in the group.
 

Element Of Smash

Unslaad Krongrah
Donor
Credits
20
In terms of a specific interest group at the moment aside from teams which can be relatively expensive and closed off you can always start a conversation and add in anyone interested, it's a big group chat and as you wanted it's private so only the people in the group know who is in the group.
So if I start a thread, and a group PM to accompany it, I can always close the thread if it gets to toxic, right? Or at least ask a moderator to do so? I would prefer to keep it as open as I can for those who want to express themselves or share their feelings openly.
But above all, I want it to be a safe place. And from what I've seen so far on this site, I'm not too terribly concerned with having a troll problem. One user can be reported, but a mass of them would be a much bigger problem. As in, a larger workload for the mods/admins.
I don't want anyone getting hurt. Especially if they're putting themselves out there to try and show solidarity and build the community.
 

Saya Kisaragi

The Void Queen
Donor
Credits
0
So if I start a thread, and a group PM to accompany it, I can always close the thread if it gets to toxic, right? Or at least ask a moderator to do so? I would prefer to keep it as open as I can for those who want to express themselves or share their feelings openly.
But above all, I want it to be a safe place. And from what I've seen so far on this site, I'm not too terribly concerned with having a troll problem. One user can be reported, but a mass of them would be a much bigger problem. As in, a larger workload for the mods/admins.
I don't want anyone getting hurt. Especially if they're putting themselves out there to try and show solidarity and build the community.
I'm sure you can ask cj or Matt to help with crowd control if it gets out of hand.
 

Element Of Smash

Unslaad Krongrah
Donor
Credits
20
I'm sure you can ask cj or Matt to help with crowd control if it gets out of hand.
I sent out a few PMs to see if peeps were interested! Hopefully, I'll have this underway soon!

By the by, thank you guys all so much for your feedback, ideas, and support. I didn't expect to get much of any response today, much less a couple hours. Ya'll are amazing! <3
 

Dom

The People's Champ
Staff member
Admin
Trusted Seller
Donor
Friendzilla
Journalist
Let It Reign
Iron Will
Credits
9
So if I start a thread, and a group PM to accompany it, I can always close the thread if it gets to toxic, right? Or at least ask a moderator to do so? I would prefer to keep it as open as I can for those who want to express themselves or share their feelings openly.
But above all, I want it to be a safe place. And from what I've seen so far on this site, I'm not too terribly concerned with having a troll problem. One user can be reported, but a mass of them would be a much bigger problem. As in, a larger workload for the mods/admins.
I don't want anyone getting hurt. Especially if they're putting themselves out there to try and show solidarity and build the community.

Considering our fantastic staff team and the fact that bullying/harassment is against the rules you shouldn't have much of a problem.
 

Matt_192

Official Server Crasher
Staff member
Admin
Will Not Fall
Donor
Friendzilla
Journalist
Iron Will
Dex Contributor
Credits
41
I completely support everything you and Dom have said so far. Myself, as well as the entire team (and I can sincerely hope the entire site) is pro-LGBT rights and we'd all love to make anyone feel more welcome on this site :) And as @Saya Kisaragi said, if there are any problems with members harassing you/any other members in the proposed forum, send me a link and they will be dealt with harshly :)
 

Element Of Smash

Unslaad Krongrah
Donor
Credits
20
Considering our fantastic staff team and the fact that bullying/harassment is against the rules you shouldn't have much of a problem.
The people I've talked to here in general have been fantastic! I don't forsee any issues, either. But better safe than sorry!
Edit: Thanks @Matt_192! I put up the thread! We'll see what kind of response we get, and it's good to know that yall have our back and our wellbeing in mind! This place truly is amazing!
 
Last edited:
Top