What's with the porn avatars?

[sparky95]

I would suggest that if gay porn offend people then they should not be on a gay porn site. JUB is a business run for profit and its profits are generated by porn sales to gay men. Any other function on this site are here by the goodwill of the owners and operators. It is ultimately an adult site and users should perhaps start acting like adults with regards to the contents of others avatars. After all, Kuli, you don't own us.We own ourselves.

 

[TaigaStar]

I see and understand Kulindahr's point, I find that I cannot actually agree. JUB is, first and foremost, a porn site. It actually shows up in gay porn searches on google (and likely Yahoo, etc).

To be blunt, an avatar is a 100x120 pixel image under a user name; JUB defines it as "Avatars are small graphics that are displayed under your username whenever you post." If you're coming to a forum for a discussion, the small image on the left side of the screen is not the theme for the massive blocks of text on the right. Frankly, I don't even pay attention to the avatars half the time when I'm conversing here. Maybe it's just me, though. If someone here has an avatar I find objectionable, I don't look to the left (specifically beneath the poster's username). Regretfully, I just don't see how a sum total of 820 pixels per user so completely makes things immensely offensive.

 

[BrandonSBCA]

Maybe I should just change my avatar and my siggy to some chubby bears. That will blind a ton of members.

 

[evil_danger]

Maybe I should just change my avatar and my siggy to some chubby bears. That will blind a ton of members.

Nicely done

 

[Kulindahr]

We obviously have a problem in understanding why JUB is here.

JustUsBoys.com was re-named from a porn link list about two and a half years ago that was called LinkMeAllOver.ca

yes, JUB is a Canadian site. Go figure.

IT was all about porn, and the forums were there to create traffic, get people interested in coming back and seeing porn... it was a porn site then and it's a porn site now.

The forum did eventually grow... as more and more topics came up, it was necessary to separate them so that regualr conversations could take place.. it was to keep the peace so more people would come to the site and there would be more traffic.

but the point was ALWAYS to have JUB a porn site that sells memberships to gay paysites. That's it... that's all.. JUB isn't here as a service to the community and JUB isn't here to make the jobs of counsellors more easy.





MOST of all, it makes me kinda angry that your counsellor friends won't reccomend JUB... they're helping perpetuate the idea that gay men can be gay so long as they don't get turned on, have sex and are ashamed of their natual sexuality.

If "that's all", then the site is mislabeled, and the forums shouldn't have moderators, there's no point to having a "safe zone", and "gay community" is just a lie to get people here.

And the counselors CAN'T recommend JUB -- they'd lose all the funding from government and foundations that let them function. It doesn't matter that it's a site that also has gay porn, what matters is that at present there is no way to avoid porn. The presence of the porn, according to one guideline from one funder, perpetuates the false view that gay men are interested in nothing but sex.

That's one thing the porn avatars say to me -- "I'm all about sex, only sex, no matter what else I may be doing, and I'm going to throw my sex in your face." I hate that stereotype about gay men, yet here I am reminded of it, seeing it demonstrated, over and over even in the religious forum.

Nor is it just the counselors. I've talked to several different guys at bars, in the afternoon when I'm munching and on-line, and they were thrilled with the forums. When they saw all the porn stuff, though, three of them wrote JUB off as a useful resource for them. One flat out said, "Porn is part of my problem -- why should I be interested in a site that shoves it in my face?"

It would be simple enough to do -- just rule that anyone participating in the non-porn forums can't have a porn avatar. JUB is rather unique already; then it would be something new -- a gay site with space for everyone.

 

[Kulindahr]

The avatars are something people use to express themselves. Your "Gun Owners of America" is a political avatar. Don't try to say that it isn't because it is.

Ten to one you don't even see the statement my avatar is making.

Though maybe with a hint: what do you think the GOA would make of it?

Besides which, it's a statement of an inherent universal human right. I don't see making porn impossible to avoid as one of those.

Though with the Firefox function, it should be easy enough to post instructions on how to block specific avatars in a help section.

 

[Kulindahr]

Actually, I'd think it has less to do with any personal sensibilities on the part of the counselors than legal restrictions as to the content of sites they can refer or link in a professional capacity or as an agency.

Bingo. And as I said in my response to Soil, it doesn't even matter that there's porn on the site, it's that there's no way to avoid it.

Though if in the "newbie" area or somewhere the instructions for blocking avatars were posted, as something all newcomers to the forums were required to read, I'm betting they might allow it.

The thing is that JUB is unique in having forums that are actually helpful to people. I hate to see people kept from it because of one little item.

 

[Kulindahr]

I simply don't understand ...

If one does not like a message board with porn avatars and pictures everywhere then why become or remain a member?

Can someone enlighten me???

Because JUB is unique. Others have said it, and I agree -- there's nowhere else that forums like those in the "safe zone" can be found, nowhere else where there is conscientious moderating.
I found JUB several months after coming out. I wish I'd found it sooner, because the forums here would have helped me avoid a lot of troubles, and I might not have come away from my first six months out seeing "the gay community" as a cruel lie, the vast majority of gay men as abusive, manipulative sex fiends, and become bitter about the lies I saw in the media about being "welcomed" by others as someone just out.

I was actually wondering myself why this is an issue now? and why people who dont like it have "put up with it" for so long if they find it offensive/dis-tasteful in some way

For me it's become an issue because in the forums I've generally frequented it hasn't been much of a problem, plus some avatars have recently appeared that are particularly disgusting, and because of the guys I've aimed at JUB for help via the "safe zone" forums, only to hear that they won't come here at all because they can't avoid porn.

"Entertainment for Gay Men" isn't just porn -- the forums qualify, too. Heck, a casino could be added, and that would qualify, or online games. But having an area free of porn would be a huge plus -- and the non-porn forums would be a good start.

 

[Apollo]

If "that's all", then the site is mislabeled, and the forums shouldn't have moderators, there's no point to having a "safe zone", and "gay community" is just a lie to get people here.

And the counselors CAN'T recommend JUB -- they'd lose all the funding from government and foundations that let them function. It doesn't matter that it's a site that also has gay porn, what matters is that at present there is no way to avoid porn. The presence of the porn, according to one guideline from one funder, perpetuates the false view that gay men are interested in nothing but sex.

That's one thing the porn avatars say to me -- "I'm all about sex, only sex, no matter what else I may be doing, and I'm going to throw my sex in your face." I hate that stereotype about gay men, yet here I am reminded of it, seeing it demonstrated, over and over even in the religious forum.

Nor is it just the counselors. I've talked to several different guys at bars, in the afternoon when I'm munching and on-line, and they were thrilled with the forums. When they saw all the porn stuff, though, three of them wrote JUB off as a useful resource for them. One flat out said, "Porn is part of my problem -- why should I be interested in a site that shoves it in my face?"

It would be simple enough to do -- just rule that anyone participating in the non-porn forums can't have a porn avatar. JUB is rather unique already; then it would be something new -- a gay site with space for everyone.

I hate how you simply generalize a person on their avatar. Its a avatar it means nothing. People have all types of avatars. Some don't even reflect the user in which it is being used.

Your friends say the forums are great, but they porn throws them off. I would like to point out again(actually everyone has pointed it out to you and you simply ignore replying to it) this is a porn site. As I and someone else has mentioned, the owners created this site to make a profit saleing porn. This is a porn site before it is a community of gay men who like to chat it up.

Your right, this forum is very unique. I doubt there is another porn site of gay forum that has a religion section in it. This is the first forum, where all the discussions are not about hooking up with each other and sex. All types of issues get discussed here daily. Young gay men looking for guidance and information have found that information here. But, unlike you, I think they all realized (at one point) that this is actually a porn site.

It is nice that so many people enjoy this forum, and by all means recommend it. But before you do add a disclaimer that this is a porn site. And as a porn site, and as such contain avatars that may show pornographic acts.

I have no idea why you care so much about the avatars. They are hurting no one. People come here realizing that they are at a porn site. Above the "Safe Zone" are two banners depicting porn. Once you enter, say, "Hot Topic" those two banners stay, they might simply change to a different porn site that supports this site. After you click on a thread you are interested in, they are both still there.

Someone actually made me realized this who posted above. I don't really notice the avatars. I dont really look at them, I read what the person has posted. Because, what they wrote isnt reflected in their avatar. You will continue to argue though that it is wrong and should be banned from the "Safe Zone", the admins will continue to "no comment" and at the end of the day, nothing will change.

 

[Kulindahr]

I would suggest that if gay porn offend people then they should not be on a gay porn site. JUB is a business run for profit and its profits are generated by porn sales to gay men. Any other function on this site are here by the goodwill of the owners and operators. It is ultimately an adult site and users should perhaps start acting like adults with regards to the contents of others avatars. After all, Kuli, you don't own us.We own ourselves.

If you're going to equate "adult" with "likes seeing porn everywhere", then you're trying to own everyone else. There are forums for porn, but there are lots of people who don't come here for the porn. If JUB is indeed "entertainment for gay men", then there ought to be entertainment other than porn. If all it's about is porn, then the "JUB community" is just hypocrisy posing as marketing.

As others have related before, not everyone is even aware that JUB has porn until long after they've been here a while. I didn't realize it for quite some time -- the link I had was to the forums page, and I ignored the porn ads as I do on a number of other sites, where ads support the site and are just part of the background.

I'd ask, if all you're after is a porn site, why come to JUB?

 

[Apollo]

Bingo. And as I said in my response to Soil, it doesn't even matter that there's porn on the site, it's that there's no way to avoid it.

Though if in the "newbie" area or somewhere the instructions for blocking avatars were posted, as something all newcomers to the forums were required to read, I'm betting they might allow it.

The thing is that JUB is unique in having forums that are actually helpful to people. I hate to see people kept from it because of one little item.

The porn avatars wont keep them from getting the help. If they want to come here for help, they will. It shouldnt affect them in the least. Not to mention if they have a problem a porn avatar, then they shouldn't be on a porn site, cause they will simply go down to the porn section.

I dont understand why you dont get mad at the porn banners? They are more out there and obvious then the avatars.

EDIT:// you just answer my question. you simply assumed they were apart of the site.

 

[Kulindahr]

Why does it matter, there are naked and sex pics at the top of the page to every link in this site. I don't see why there needs to be censoring for people who don't like to look at naked guys. This is a porn site anyways, no one should be offended by naked pics. There are other message boards without them on non porn sites for people who don't like it.

Not that I or many others I know have ever found. There are people in the forums who have searched hard for anything remotely like the forums here, and come up empty.

And if it's a porn site, why is it improperly labeled? and why does it pretend there's a "community"?

 

[GL]

For me it's become an issue because in the forums I've generally frequented it hasn't been much of a problem, plus some avatars have recently appeared that are particularly disgusting, and because of the guys I've aimed at JUB for help via the "safe zone" forums, only to hear that they won't come here at all because they can't avoid porn.

"Entertainment for Gay Men" isn't just porn -- the forums qualify, too. Heck, a casino could be added, and that would qualify, or online games. But having an area free of porn would be a huge plus -- and the non-porn forums would be a good start.

The whole issue is moot IMHO as this is a gay pornographic web site. Period. It was never meant to be anything more than that. The fact that the forums sprouted up is a result of that first decision to be a gay pornographic web site.

If you feel that there should be an alternative, then it is up to you and others of like mind to create such a place. It is not JUB's.

 

[69Strat]

There's a porn side to this site, and a forum side.
Most of us in the forums aren't here for the porn. In forums, an avatar is meant to express who you are, in some fashion.

Can't a guy wear some underwear.

 

[Apollo]

Not that I or many others I know have ever found. There are people in the forums who have searched hard for anything remotely like the forums here, and come up empty.

And if it's a porn site, why is it improperly labeled? and why does it pretend there's a "community"?

The forums arnt improperly labeled. This is a community, and community of gay men who come and talk about the issues and their lives like in any other community. It just so happens that some of the avatars contain porn. If you feel this hinders the community, I don't see why. This community still exist as it is, and the porn doesn't bother many people.

 

[Kulindahr]

C'mon..........it's the same principle for 'porn' avatars isn't it? I don't think the rest of the world needs to be lectured by a gun-toting spinster, but thank you for your thoughts on the matter anyway.

How does porn help you keep your life when someone tries to harm you? How is it a tool to keep you free of tyranny?

An avatar showing porn merely expresses animal urges. My avatar expresses human dignity and freedom.

 

[Kulindahr]

The whole issue is moot IMHO as this is a gay pornographic web site. Period. It was never meant to be anything more than that. The fact that the forums sprouted up is a result of that first decision to be a gay pornographic web site.

If you feel that there should be an alternative, then it is up to you and others of like mind to create such a place. It is not JUB's.

That's false.
All you have to do is look at the forum menu to know it's false.

Again, this is asserting that the site is mislabeled, which sort of accuses the HGIC (Head Guys in Charge) of either false labeling or stupidity. What possible relation to this being "a porn site" could forums about religion, coming out, etc. have? and why would the owners go to such efforts to make sure that there are safe zones?

 

[Apollo]

How does porn help you keep your life when someone tries to harm you? How is it a tool to keep you free of tyranny?

An avatar showing porn merely expresses animal urges. My avatar expresses human dignity and freedom.

This will get moved by that crazy moderator but I will still say it.

How does a gun reflect human dignity and freedom. I mean its a gun. You can say it "protects" a person all you want, but it "protects" that person by either killing them, or causing great pain to that person. A gun is designed and created for that purpose. Guns where invented for wars. For killing as many people as possible so your side wins the war.

Guns do not reflect human dignity and freedom. That is an insult to both of those terms. A serious insult.

 

[Apollo]

Because every site has those zones. As I mentioned before. FORT, which is a site for TV shows, has a section where people can talk about things not related to a tv show. It is usually how all sites are set up. There is a relgion section because a lot of people requested that section.

This site isn't about the forums. They are just here. This site is about selling porn. There is a community here. You are looking at it, and porn avatars don't hinder or destroy of really affect the community (it only seems to be affecting you).

 

[GL]

That's false.
All you have to do is look at the forum menu to know it's false.

Again, this is asserting that the site is mislabeled, which sort of accuses the HGIC (Head Guys in Charge) of either false labeling or stupidity. What possible relation to this being "a porn site" could forums about religion, coming out, etc. have? and why would the owners go to such efforts to make sure that there are safe zones?

No, it is not false. And believe you me, I know what the forums entail and provide. You fail to recognize that this is first and foremost... A GAY PORNOGRAPHIC WEB SITE. You can bitch and moan all you like about "mislabeling" and "falsehood" but that only shows that you have put your blinders on.

The forums, along with all the various topics about religion and coming out, etc. are a result of the BUSINESS aspect of being A GAY PORNOGRAPHIC WEB SITE. They were provided by the HGIC and can be taken away if they so wish. I doubt that they would, but if you cannot see that for yourself then that is your issue.

As I said before, if you feel that there is a need for something beyond what has been provided than it is up to you to either find it or create it. Again, it is all up to you.