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| == FU == | |||
| u just reverted my amazing addition to ur caillou article | |||
| Homosexuality is romantic and/or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same sex; "it also refers to an individual's sense of personal and social identity based on those attractions, behaviors expressing them, and membership in a community of others who share them." | |||
| Homosexuality is one of the three main categories of sexual orientation, along with bisexuality and heterosexuality, within the heterosexual-homosexual continuum (with asexuality sometimes considered the fourth). The consensus of the behavioral and social sciences as well as the health and mental health professions is that homosexuality is a normal human sexual orientation. It is not a mental disorder, and is not in itself a source of negative psychological effects. Prejudice against homosexual and bisexual people, by contrast, has been shown to have such effects. In spite of this, some religious sects and "ex-gay" organizations hold the view that homosexual activity is a sinful or dysfunctional behavior. Contrary to mainstream scientific understanding, some of these sects and organizations characterize it as a "choice". | |||
| The most common terms for homosexual people are lesbian for women and gay for men, though gay is also used to refer generally to homosexual men and women. The number of people who identify as gay or lesbian—and the proportion of people who have same-sex sexual experiences—are difficult for researchers to estimate reliably for a variety of reasons. In the modern West, according to major studies, 2% to 13% of the population is homosexual or has had some form of same-sex sexual contact within his or her lifetime. A 2006 study suggested that 20% of the population anonymously reported some homosexual feelings, although relatively few participants in the study identified themselves as homosexual. Homosexual behavior is also widely observed in animals. | |||
| Many gay and lesbian people are in committed same-sex relationships, though only recently have census forms and political conditions facilitated their visibility and enumeration. These relationships are equivalent to heterosexual relationships in essential psychological respects. Homosexual relationships and acts have been admired, as well as condemned, throughout recorded history, depending on the form they took and the culture in which they occurred. Since the end of the 19th century, there has been a movement towards increased visibility, recognition and legal rights for homosexual people, including the rights to marriage and civil unions, adoption and parenting, employment, military service, and equal access to health care. | |||
| Contents | |||
| 1 Etymology | |||
| 1.1 Synonyms | |||
| 1.2 Kinsey scale | |||
| 2 Sexuality and gender identity | |||
| 2.1 Sexual orientation, identity, behavior | |||
| 2.1.1 Sexual identity development: "coming-out process" | |||
| 2.2 Gender identity | |||
| 2.3 Social construct | |||
| 2.4 Same-sex romance and relationships | |||
| 3 Demographics | |||
| 4 Psychology | |||
| 5 Etiology | |||
| 5.1 Lesbian narratives and awareness of their sexual orientation | |||
| 5.2 Sexual orientation change efforts | |||
| 5.3 Fluidity of orientation | |||
| 5.3.1 Gender and fluidity | |||
| 6 Parenting | |||
| 7 Health | |||
| 7.1 Physical | |||
| 7.1.1 Public health | |||
| 7.2 Mental | |||
| 7.3 Gay and lesbian youth | |||
| 8 History | |||
| 8.1 Africa | |||
| 8.2 Americas | |||
| 8.3 East Asia | |||
| 8.4 Europe | |||
| 8.5 Middle East, South and Central Asia | |||
| 8.6 South Pacific | |||
| 9 Law, politics, society and sociology | |||
| 9.1 Legality | |||
| 9.1.1 Sexual orientation and the law | |||
| 9.1.1.1 United States | |||
| 9.1.1.2 European Union | |||
| 9.2 Political activism | |||
| 9.3 Relationships | |||
| 9.4 Military service | |||
| 9.5 Religion | |||
| 9.6 Heterosexism and homophobia | |||
| 9.7 Violence against gay and lesbian people | |||
| 10 Homosexual behavior in animals | |||
| 11 See also | |||
| 12 Notes | |||
| 13 References | |||
| 13.1 Books | |||
| 13.2 Journal articles | |||
| 13.3 Online articles | |||
| 14 External links | |||
| EtymologyMain article: Terminology of homosexuality | |||
| Zephyrus and Hyacinthus | |||
| Attic red-figure cup from Tarquinia, 480 BC (Boston Museum of Fine Arts)The word homosexual is a Greek and Latin hybrid with the first element derived from Greek ὁμός homos, 'same' (not related to the Latin homo, 'man', as in Homo sapiens), thus connoting sexual acts and affections between members of the same sex, including lesbianism. Gay generally refers to male homosexuality, but may be used in a broader sense to refer to all LGBT people. In the context of sexuality, lesbian refers only to female homosexuality. The word "lesbian" is derived from the name of the Greek island Lesbos, where the poet Sappho wrote largely about her emotional relationships with young women. | |||
| Many modern style guides in the U.S. recommend against using homosexual as a noun, instead using gay man or lesbian. Similarly, some recommend completely avoiding usage of homosexual as it has a negative, clinical history and because the word only refers to one's sexual behavior (as opposed to romantic feelings) and thus it has a negative connotation. Gay and lesbian are the most common alternatives. The first letters are frequently combined to create the initialism LGBT (sometimes written as GLBT), in which B and T refer to bisexual and transgender people. | |||
| The first known appearance of homosexual in print is found in an 1869 German pamphlet by the Austrian-born novelist Karl-Maria Kertbeny, published anonymously, arguing against a Prussian anti-sodomy law. In 1879, Gustav Jager used Kertbeny's terms in his book, Discovery of the Soul (1880). In 1886, Richard von Krafft-Ebing used the terms homosexual and heterosexual in his book Psychopathia Sexualis, probably borrowing them from Jager. Krafft-Ebing's book was so popular among both layman and doctors that the terms "heterosexual" and "homosexual" became the most widely accepted terms for sexual orientation. | |||
| As such, the current use of the term has its roots in the broader 19th-century tradition of personality taxonomy. | |||
| Although early writers also used the adjective homosexual to refer to any single-sex context (such as an all-girls' school), today the term is used exclusively in reference to sexual attraction, activity, and orientation. The term homosocial is now used to describe single-sex contexts that are not specifically sexual. There is also a word referring to same-sex love, homophilia. | |||
| SynonymsSome synonyms include men who have sex with men or MSM (used in the medical community when specifically discussing sexual activity), homoerotic (referring to works of art), heteroflexible (referring to a person who identifies as heterosexual, but occasionally engages in same-sex sexual activities), and metrosexual (referring to a non-gay man with stereotypically gay tastes in food, fashion, and design). Pejorative terms in English include queer, faggot, fairy, poof, and homo. Beginning in the 1990s, some of these have been reclaimed as positive words by gay men and lesbians, as in the usage of queer studies, queer theory, and even the popular American television program Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. The word homo occurs in many other languages without the pejorative connotations it has in English. As with ethnic slurs and racial slurs, however, the misuse of these terms can still be highly offensive; the range of acceptable use depends on the context and speaker. Conversely, gay, a word originally embraced by homosexual men and women as a positive, affirmative term (as in gay liberation and gay rights), has come into widespread pejorative use among young people. | |||
| Kinsey scaleMain article: Kinsey scale | |||
| The Kinsey scale attempts to describe a person's sexual history or episodes of their sexual activity at a given time. It uses a scale from 0, meaning exclusively heterosexual, to 6, meaning exclusively homosexual. | |||
| Sexuality and gender identitySexual orientation, identity, behaviorMain articles: Sexual orientation, Sexual orientation identity, and Sexual behaviour | |||
| See also: Situational sexual behavior | |||
| The American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the National Association of Social Workers identify sexual orientation as "not merely a personal characteristic that can be defined in isolation. Rather, one's sexual orientation defines the universe of persons with whom one is likely to find the satisfying and fulfilling relationships": | |||
| Sexual orientation is commonly discussed as a characteristic of the individual, like biological sex, gender identity, or age. This perspective is incomplete because sexual orientation is always defined in relational terms and necessarily involves relationships with other individuals. Sexual acts and romantic attractions are categorized as homosexual or heterosexual according to the biological sex of the individuals involved in them, relative to each other. Indeed, it is by acting—or desiring to act—with another person that individuals express their heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality. This includes actions as simple as holding hands with or kissing another person. Thus, sexual orientation is integrally linked to the intimate personal relationships that human beings form with others to meet their deeply felt needs for love, attachment, and intimacy. In addition to sexual behavior, these bonds encompass nonsexual physical affection between partners, shared goals and values, mutual support, and ongoing commitment. | |||
| Sexual identity development: "coming-out process"Main article: Coming out | |||
| Many people who feel attracted to members of their own sex have a so-called "coming out" at some point in their lives. Generally, coming out is described in three phases. The first phase is the phase of "knowing oneself", and the realization emerges that one is open to same-sex relations. This is often described as an internal coming out. The second phase involves one's decision to come out to others, e.g. family, friends, and/or colleagues. The third phase more generally involves living openly as an LGBT person. In the United States today, people often come out during high school or college age. At this age, they may not trust or ask for help from others, especially when their orientation is not accepted in society. Sometimes their own families are not even informed. | |||
| According to Rosario, Schrimshaw, Hunter, Braun (2006), "the development of a lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) sexual identity is a complex and often difficult process. Unlike members of other minority groups (e.g., ethnic and racial minorities), most LGB individuals are not raised in a community of similar others from whom they learn about their identity and who reinforce and support that identity. Rather, LGB individuals are often raised in communities that are either ignorant of or openly hostile toward homosexuality." | |||
| Outing is the practice of publicly revealing the sexual orientation of a closeted person. Notable politicians, celebrities, military service people, and clergy members have been outed, with motives ranging from malice to political or moral beliefs. Many commentators oppose the practice altogether, while some encourage outing public figures who use their positions of influence to harm other gay people. | |||
| Gender identityThe earliest writers on a homosexual orientation usually understood it to be intrinsically linked to the subject's own sex. For example, it was thought that a typical female-bodied person who is attracted to female-bodied persons would have masculine attributes, and vice versa. This understanding was shared by most of the significant theorists of homosexuality from the mid-19th century to early 20th century, such as Karl Heinrich Ulrichs, Richard von Krafft-Ebing, Magnus Hirschfeld, Havelock Ellis, Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud, as well as many gender variant homosexual people themselves. However, this understanding of homosexuality as sexual inversion was disputed at the time, and through the second half of the 20th century, gender identity came to be increasingly seen as a phenomenon distinct from sexual orientation. | |||
| Transgender and cisgender people may be attracted to men, women or both, although the prevalence of different sexual orientations is quite different in these two populations (see sexual orientation of transwomen). An individual homosexual, heterosexual or bisexual person may be masculine, feminine, or androgynous, and in addition, many members and supporters of lesbian and gay communities now see the "gender-conforming heterosexual" and the "gender-nonconforming homosexual" as negative stereotypes. However, studies by J. Michael Bailey and K.J. Zucker have found that a majority of gay men and lesbians report being gender-nonconforming during their childhood years. Richard C. Friedman, in Male Homosexuality published in 1990, writing from a psychoanalytic perspective, argues that sexual desire begins later than the writings of Sigmund Freud indicate, not in infancy but between the ages of 5 and 10 and is not focused on a parent figure but on peers. As a consequence, he reasons, homosexual men are not abnormal, never having been sexually attracted to their mothers anyway. | |||
| Social constructFurther information: Queer theory | |||
| Because a homosexual orientation is complex and multi-dimensional, some academics and researchers, especially in Queer studies, have argued that it is a historical and social construction. In 1976 the historian Michel Foucault argued that homosexuality as an identity did not exist in the 18th century; that people instead spoke of "sodomy", which referred to sexual acts. Sodomy was a crime that was often ignored but sometimes punished severely (see sodomy law). | |||
| The term homosexual is often used in European and American cultures to encompass a person's entire social identity, which includes self and personality. In Western cultures some people speak meaningfully of gay, lesbian, and bisexual identities and communities. In other cultures, homosexuality and heterosexual labels do not emphasize an entire social identity or indicate community affiliation based on sexual orientation. Some scholars, such as David Green, state that homosexuality is a modern Western social construct, and as such cannot be used in the context of non-Western male-male sexuality, nor in the pre-modern West. | |||
| Same-sex romance and relationshipsMain article: Same-sex relationship | |||
| People with a homosexual orientation can express their sexuality in a variety of ways, and may or may not express it in their behaviors. Many have sexual relationships predominately with people of their own gender identity, though some have sexual relationships with those of the opposite gender, bisexual relationships, or none at all (celibate). Research indicates that many lesbians and gay men want, and succeed in having, committed and durable relationships. For example, survey data indicate that between 40% and 60% of gay men and between 45% and 80% of lesbians are currently involved in a romantic relationship. Survey data also indicate that between 18% and 28% of gay couples and between 8% and 21% of lesbian couples in the U.S. have lived together ten or more years. Studies have found same-sex and opposite-sex couples to be equivalent to each other in measures of satisfaction and commitment in romantic relationships, that age and gender are more reliable than sexual orientation as a predictor of satisfaction and commitment to a romantic relationship, and that people who are heterosexual or homosexual share comparable expectations and ideals with regard to romantic relationships. | |||
| DemographicsMain article: Demographics of sexual orientation | |||
| Reliable data as to the size of the gay and lesbian population are of value in informing public policy. For example, demographics would help in calculating the costs and benefits of domestic partnership benefits, of the impact of legalizing gay adoption, and of the impact of the U.S. military's Don't Ask Don't Tell policy. Further, knowledge of the size of the "gay and lesbian population holds promise for helping social scientists understand a wide array of important questions—questions about the general nature of labor market choices, accumulation of human capital, specialization within households, discrimination, and decisions about geographic location." | |||
| Measuring the prevalence of homosexuality may present difficulties. The research must measure some characteristic that may or may not be defining of sexual orientation. The class of people with same-sex desires may be larger than the class of people who act on those desires, which in turn may be larger than the class of people who self-identify as gay/lesbian/bisexual. | |||
| In 1948 and 1953, Alfred Kinsey reported that nearly 46% of the male subjects had "reacted" sexually to persons of both sexes in the course of their adult lives, and 37% had had at least one homosexual experience. Kinsey's methodology was criticized. A later study tried to eliminate the sample bias, but still reached similar conclusions. | |||
| Estimates of the occurrence of exclusive homosexuality range from one to twenty percent of the population, usually finding there are slightly more gay men than lesbians. | |||
| Estimates of the frequency of homosexual activity also vary from one country to another. A 1992 study reported that 6.1% of males in Britain had had a homosexual experience, while in France the number was 4.1%. According to a 2003 survey, 12% of Norwegians have had homosexual sex. In New Zealand, a 2006 study suggested that 20% of the population anonymously reported some homosexual feelings, few of them identifying as homosexual. Percentage of persons identifying homosexual was 2–3%. According to a 2008 poll, while only 6% of Britons define their sexual orientation as homosexual or bisexual, more than twice that number (13%) of Britons have had some form of sexual contact with someone of the same sex. | |||
| In the United States, according to exit polling on 2008 Election Day for the 2008 Presidential elections, 4% of electorate self-identified as gay, lesbian, or bisexual, the same percentage as in 2004." According to the 2000 United States Census there were about 601,209 same-sex unmarried partner households. | |||
| In the UK, the UK Office for National Statistics survey have come up with the figure that 1.5% are gay or bisexual, and suggest that this is in line with other surveys showing between 0.3% and 3%. | |||
| PsychologyMain article: Homosexuality and psychology | |||
| Wikinews has related news: Dr. Joseph Merlino on sexuality, insanity, Freud, fetishes and apathy | |||
| Psychology was one of the first disciplines to study a homosexual orientation as a discrete phenomenon. The first attempts to classify homosexuality as a disease were made by the fledgling European sexologist movement in the late 19th century. In 1886 noted sexologist Richard von Krafft-Ebing listed homosexuality along with 200 other case studies of deviant sexual practices in his definitive work, Psychopathia Sexualis. Krafft-Ebing proposed that homosexuality was caused by either "congenital inversion" or an "acquired inversion". In the last two decades of the 19th century, a different view began to predominate in medical and psychiatric circles, judging such behavior as indicative of a type of person with a defined and relatively stable sexual orientation. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, pathological models of homosexuality were standard. | |||
| The American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the National Association of Social Workers state: | |||
| “ In 1952, when the American Psychiatric Association published its first Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, homosexuality was included as a disorder. Almost immediately, however, that classification began to be subjected to critical scrutiny in research funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. That study and subsequent research consistently failed to produce any empirical or scientific basis for regarding homosexuality as a disorder or abnormality, rather than a normal and healthy sexual orientation. As results from such research accumulated, professionals in medicine, mental health, and the behavioral and social sciences reached the conclusion that it was inaccurate to classify homosexuality as a mental disorder and that the DSM classification reflected untested assumptions based on once-prevalent social norms and clinical impressions from unrepresentative samples comprising patients seeking therapy and individuals whose conduct brought them into the criminal justice system. | |||
| In recognition of the scientific evidence, the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from the DSM in 1973, stating that "homosexuality per se implies no impairment in judgment, stability, reliability, or general social or vocational capabilities." After thoroughly reviewing the scientific data, the American Psychological Association adopted the same position in 1975, and urged all mental health professionals "to take the lead in removing the stigma of mental illness that has long been associated with homosexual orientations." The National Association of Social Workers has adopted a similar policy. | |||
| Thus, mental health professionals and researchers have long recognized that being homosexual poses no inherent obstacle to leading a happy, healthy, and productive life, and that the vast majority of gay and lesbian people function well in the full array of social institutions and interpersonal relationships. | |||
| ” | |||
| The research and clinical literature demonstrate that same-sex sexual and romantic attractions, feelings, and behaviors are normal and positive variations of human sexuality. The longstanding consensus of the behavioral and social sciences and the health and mental health professions is that homosexuality per se is a normal and positive variation of human sexual orientation. There is now a large body of research evidence that indicates that being gay, lesbian or bisexual is compatible with normal mental health and social adjustment. The World Health Organization's ICD-9 (1977) listed homosexuality as a mental illness; it was removed from the ICD-10, endorsed by the Forty-third World Health Assembly on May 17, 1990. Like the DSM-II, the ICD-10 added ego-dystonic sexual orientation to the list, which refers to people who want to change their gender identities or sexual orientation because of a psychological or behavioral disorder (F66.1). The Chinese Society of Psychiatry removed homosexuality from its Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders in 2001 after five years of study by the association. According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists "This unfortunate history demonstrates how marginalisation of a group of people who have a particular personality feature (in this case homosexuality) can lead to harmful medical practice and a basis for discrimination in society. There is now a large body of research evidence that indicates that being gay, lesbian or bisexual is compatible with normal mental health and social adjustment. However, the experiences of discrimination in society and possible rejection by friends, families and others, such as employers, means that some LGB people experience a greater than expected prevalence of mental health difficulties and substance misuse problems. Although there have been claims by conservative political groups in the USA that this higher prevalence of mental health difficulties is confirmation that homosexuality is itself a mental disorder, there is no evidence whatever to substantiate such a claim." | |||
| Most lesbian, gay, and bisexual people who seek psychotherapy do so for the same reasons as heterosexual people (stress, relationship difficulties, difficulty adjusting to social or work situations, etc.); their sexual orientation may be of primary, incidental, or no importance to their issues and treatment. Whatever the issue, there is a high risk for anti-gay bias in psychotherapy with lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients. Psychological research in this area has been relevant to counteracting prejudicial ("homophobic") attitudes and actions, and to the LGBT rights movement generally. | |||
| The appropriate application of affirmative psychotherapy is based on the following scientific facts: | |||
| Same-sex sexual attractions, behavior, and orientations per se are normal and positive variants of human sexuality; in other words, they are not indicators of mental or developmental disorders. | |||
| Homosexuality and bisexuality are stigmatized, and this stigma can have a variety of negative consequences (e.g., minority stress) throughout the life span (D'Augelli & Patterson, 1995; DiPlacido, 1998; Herek & Garnets, 2007; Meyer, 1995, 2003). | |||
| Same-sex sexual attractions and behavior can occur in the context of a variety of sexual orientations and sexual orientation identities (Diamond, 2006; Hoburg et al., 2004; Rust, 1996; Savin-Williams, 2005). | |||
| Gay men, lesbians, and bisexual individuals can live satisfying lives as well as form stable, committed relationships and families that are equivalent to heterosexual relationships in essential respects (APA, 2005c; Kurdek, 2001, 2003, 2004; Peplau & Fingerhut, 2007). | |||
| There are no empirical studies or peer-reviewed research that support theories attributing same-sex sexual orientation to family dysfunction or trauma (Bell et al., 1981; Bene, 1965; Freund & Blanchard, 1983; Freund & Pinkava, 1961; Hooker, 1969; McCord et al., 1962; D. K. Peters & Cantrell, 1991; Siegelman, 1974, 1981; Townes et al., 1976). | |||
| EtiologyMain articles: Biology and sexual orientation and Environment and sexual orientation | |||
| The American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, and National Association of Social Workers stated in 2006: | |||
| “ Currently, there is no scientific consensus about the specific factors that cause an individual to become heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual—including possible biological, psychological, or social effects of the parents' sexual orientation. However, the available evidence indicates that the vast majority of lesbian and gay adults were raised by heterosexual parents and the vast majority of children raised by lesbian and gay parents eventually grow up to be heterosexual. ” | |||
| The Royal College of Psychiatrists stated in 2007: | |||
| “ Despite almost a century of psychoanalytic and psychological speculation, there is no substantive evidence to support the suggestion that the nature of parenting or early childhood experiences play any role in the formation of a person's fundamental heterosexual or homosexual orientation. It would appear that sexual orientation is biological in nature, determined by a complex interplay of genetic factors and the early uterine environment. Sexual orientation is therefore not a choice. ” | |||
| The American Academy of Pediatrics stated in Pediatrics in 2004: | |||
| “ Sexual orientation probably is not determined by any one factor but by a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental influences. In recent decades, biologically based theories have been favored by experts. Although there continues to be controversy and uncertainty as to the genesis of the variety of human sexual orientations, there is no scientific evidence that abnormal parenting, sexual abuse, or other adverse life events influence sexual orientation. Current knowledge suggests that sexual orientation is usually established during early childhood. ” | |||
| The American Psychological Association states "there are probably many reasons for a person's sexual orientation and the reasons may be different for different people", and says most people's sexual orientation is determined at an early age. Research into how sexual orientation in males may be determined by genetic or other prenatal factors plays a role in political and social debates about homosexuality, and also raises fears about genetic profiling and prenatal testing. | |||
| Professor Michael King states: "The conclusion reached by scientists who have investigated the origins and stability of sexual orientation is that it is a human characteristic that is formed early in life, and is resistant to change. Scientific evidence on the origins of homosexuality is considered relevant to theological and social debate because it undermines suggestions that sexual orientation is a choice." | |||
| Innate bisexuality (or predisposition to bisexuality) is a term introduced by Sigmund Freud, based on work by his associate Wilhelm Fliess, that expounds that all humans are born bisexual but through psychological development—which includes both external and internal factors—become monosexual, while the bisexuality remains in a latent state. | |||
| The authors of a 2008 study stated "there is considerable evidence that human sexual orientation is genetically influenced, so it is not known how homosexuality, which tends to lower reproductive success, is maintained in the population at a relatively high frequency". They hypothesized that "while genes predisposing to homosexuality reduce homosexuals' reproductive success, they may confer some advantage in heterosexuals who carry them". Their results suggested that "genes predisposing to homosexuality may confer a mating advantage in heterosexuals, which could help explain the evolution and maintenance of homosexuality in the population". A 2009 study also suggested a significant increase in fecundity in the females related to the homosexual people from the maternal line (but not in those related from the paternal one). | |||
| Garcia-Falgueras and Swaab state in the abstract of their 2010 study, "The fetal brain develops during the intrauterine period in the male direction through a direct action of testosterone on the developing nerve cells, or in the female direction through the absence of this hormone surge. In this way, our gender identity (the conviction of belonging to the male or female gender) and sexual orientation are programmed or organized into our brain structures when we are still in the womb. There is no indication that social environment after birth has an effect on gender identity or sexual orientation." | |||
| Lesbian narratives and awareness of their sexual orientationLesbians often experience their sexuality differently from gay men, and have different understandings about etiology from those derived from studies focused mostly on men. For information specific to female homosexuality, see Lesbian. | |||
| In a U.S.-based 1970s mail survey by Shere Hite, lesbians self-reported their reasons for being lesbian. This is the only major piece of research into female sexuality that has looked at how women understand being homosexual since Kinsey in 1953. The research yielded information about women's general understanding of lesbian relationships and their sexual orientation. | |||
| Women talked about social conditioning, which made it "almost impossible for me to have a truly healthy sexual relationship with a man". Another woman stated that because of their conditioning "omen are much more sensitive to other people's needs", and so "ex is better with women physically and emotionally", stating she preferred the symmetries of power and aesthetic between women. Some talked about preferring women, "ersonally, I like girls better, they are more tender and loving", and some went into how they found that emotional relationships with women were more satisfying than those with men, with women making more creative and versatile lovers. One woman reported it was easier for her "to give myself emotionally to a woman". A woman who had been a lesbian for two years said she found that sexual relationships with women were more pleasurable on both psychological and physical levels than with men; this was "because the women I've had sex with have been my friends first, which was never the case with men. Being friends sets up a trust that I think is essential for satisfying physical intimacy. Relating to another woman physically seems to me like the most natural thing in the world. You've already got a head start on knowing how to give her pleasure. Gentleness seems to be the key, and is the main difference between relating to men and women.'" Women talked about women making better sexual partners and that was a dominant theme: "I find women better lovers; they know what a woman wants and most of all there is an emotional closeness that can never be matched with a man. More tenderness, more consideration and understanding of feelings, etc." This was because men were perceived as unliberated "sexually or emotionally or any other way", and lesbianism was perceived "as an alternative to abstinence" and to men generally. Men were perceived as usually juvenile, while a relationship with women was described as "more of a communion with self". Sex as well as relationships with women were seen as a way of achieving independence from men; "ex with a woman means independence from men." Male sexual performance was another problem, "wenty minutes for a man, at least an hour with a woman, usually more", as well as attention to the sexual needs of women who themselves "seem to have a more sustained energy level after orgasm, and are more likely to know and do something about it if I'm not satisfied". One understanding of the difference was that sex with women "is not an 'exchange' or a 'trade' or services", and not focused on orgasm, with "more kissing and holding" and "more concern for my pleasure", which was experienced as liberating. Sex with women was also seen as a political act; "I see lesbianism as putting all my energies (sexual, political social, etc.) into women. Sex is a form of comfort and to have sex indiscriminately with males is to give them comfort.". | |||
| Hite is more concerned with what respondents say than quantifiable data. She found the two most significant differences between respondents' experience with men and women were the focus on clitoral stimulation, and more emotional involvement and orgasmic responses. Since Hite carried out her study she has acknowledged that some women may have chosen the political identity of a lesbian. Julie Bindel, a UK journalist, reaffirmed that "political lesbianism continues to make intrinsic sense because it reinforces the idea that sexuality is a choice, and we are not destined to a particular fate because of our chromosomes." as recently as 2009. | |||
| Sexual orientation change effortsMain article: Sexual orientation change efforts | |||
| There are no studies of adequate scientific rigor to conclude whether recent sexual orientation change efforts do work to change a person's sexual orientation. Those efforts has been controversial due to tensions between the values held by some faith-based organizations, on the one hand, and those held by lesbian, gay, and bisexual rights organizations and professional and scientific organizations, on the other. The longstanding consensus of the behavioral and social sciences and the health and mental health professions is that homosexuality per se is a normal and positive variation of human sexual orientation. The American Psychological Association says that "most people experience little or no sense of choice about their sexual orientation". Some individuals and groups have promoted the idea of homosexuality as symptomatic of developmental defects or spiritual and moral failings and have argued that sexual orientation change efforts, including psychotherapy and religious efforts, could alter homosexual feelings and behaviors. Many of these individuals and groups appeared to be embedded within the larger context of conservative religious political movements that have supported the stigmatization of homosexuality on political or religious grounds. | |||
| No major mental health professional organization has sanctioned efforts to change sexual orientation and virtually all of them have adopted policy statements cautioning the profession and the public about treatments that purport to change sexual orientation. These include the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, American Counseling Association, National Association of Social Workers in the USA, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and the Australian Psychological Society. The American Psychological Association and the Royal College of Psychiatrists expressed concerns that the positions espoused by NARTH are not supported by the science and create an environment in which prejudice and discrimination can flourish. | |||
| The American Psychological Association "encourages mental health professionals to avoid misrepresenting the efficacy of sexual orientation change efforts by promoting or promising change in sexual orientation when providing assistance to individuals distressed by their own or others' sexual orientation and concludes that the benefits reported by participants in sexual orientation change efforts can be gained through approaches that do not attempt to change sexual orientation". | |||
| Fluidity of orientationThe American Psychiatric Association (APA) has stated "some people believe that sexual orientation is innate and fixed; however, sexual orientation develops across a person's lifetime". In a joint statement with other major American medical organizations, the APA says that "different people realize at different points in their lives that they are heterosexual, gay, lesbian, or bisexual". A report from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health states: "For some people, sexual orientation is continuous and fixed throughout their lives. For others, sexual orientation may be fluid and change over time". One study has suggested "considerable fluidity in bisexual, unlabeled, and lesbian women's attractions, behaviors, and identities". | |||
| Gender and fluidityIn a 2004 study, the female subjects (both gay and straight women) became sexually aroused when they viewed heterosexual as well as lesbian erotic films. Among the male subjects, however, the straight men were turned on only by erotic films with women, the gay ones by those with men. The study's senior researcher said that women's sexual desire is less rigidly directed toward a particular sex, as compared with men's, and it's more changeable over time. | |||
| ParentingSee also: LGBT parenting | |||
| Scientific research has been consistent in showing that lesbian and gay parents are as fit and capable as heterosexual parents, and their children are as psychologically healthy and well-adjusted as children reared by heterosexual parents. According to scientific literature reviews, there is no evidence to the contrary. | |||
| HealthFurther information: Men who have sex with men and Lesbian#Health | |||
| PhysicalThe terms "Men who have sex with men" (MSM) and "women who have sex with women" (WSW) refer to people who engage in sexual activity with others of the same sex regardless of how they identify themselves—as many choose not to accept social identities as lesbian, gay and bisexual. These terms are often used in medical literature and social research to describe such groups for study, without needing to consider the issues of sexual self-identity. The terms are seen as problematic, however, because it "obscures social dimensions of sexuality; undermines the self-labeling of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people; and does not sufficiently describe variations in sexual behavior". MSM and WSW are sexually active with each other for a variety of reasons with the main ones arguably sexual pleasure, intimacy and bonding. In contrast to its benefits, sexual behavior can be a disease vector. Safe sex is a relevant harm reduction philosophy. The United States currently prohibits men who have sex with men from donating blood "because they are, as a group, at increased risk for HIV, hepatitis B and certain other infections that can be transmitted by transfusion." The UK and many European countries have the same prohibition. | |||
| Public healthThese safer sex recommendations are agreed upon by public health officials for women who have sex with women to avoid sexually transmitted infections (STIs): | |||
| Avoid contact with a partner’s menstrual blood and with any visible genital lesions. | |||
| Cover sex toys that penetrate more than one person's vagina or anus with a new condom for each person; consider using different toys for each person. | |||
| Use a barrier (e.g., latex sheet, dental dam, cut-open condom, plastic wrap) during oral sex. | |||
| Use latex or vinyl gloves and lubricant for any manual sex that might cause bleeding. | |||
| These safer sex recommendations are agreed upon by public health officials for men who have sex with men to avoid sexually transmitted infections (STIs): | |||
| Avoid contact with a partner's bodily fluids and with any visible genital lesions. | |||
| Use condoms for anal and oral sex. | |||
| Use a barrier (e.g., latex sheet, dental dam, cut-open condom) during anal–oral sex. | |||
| Cover sex toys that penetrate more than one person with a new condom for each person; consider using different toys for each person and use latex or vinyl gloves and lubricant for any sex that might cause bleeding. | |||
| MentalWhen it was first described in medical literature, homosexuality was often approached from a view that sought to find an inherent psychopathology as its root cause. Much literature on mental health and homosexual patients centered on their depression, substance abuse, and suicide. Although these issues exist among people who are non-heterosexual, discussion about their causes shifted after homosexuality was removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) in 1973. Instead, social ostracism, legal discrimination, internalization of negative stereotypes, and limited support structures indicate factors homosexual people face in Western societies that often adversely affect their mental health. Stigma, prejudice, and discrimination stemming from negative societal attitudes toward homosexuality lead to a higher prevalence of mental health disorders among lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals compared to their heterosexual peers. Evidence indicates that the liberalization of these attitudes over the past few decades is associated with a decrease in such mental health risks among younger LGBT people. | |||
| Gay and lesbian youthGay and lesbian youth bear an increased risk of suicide, substance abuse, school problems, and isolation because of a "hostile and condemning environment, verbal and physical abuse, rejection and isolation from family and peers". Further, LGBT youths are more likely to report psychological and physical abuse by parents or caretakers, and more sexual abuse. Suggested reasons for this disparity are that (1) LGBT youths may be specifically targeted on the basis of their perceived sexual orientation or gender non-conforming appearance, and (2) that "risk factors associated with sexual minority status, including discrimination, invisibility, and rejection by family members...may lead to an increase in behaviors that are associated with risk for victimization, such as substance abuse, sex with multiple partners, or running away from home as a teenager." A 2008 study showed a correlation between the degree of rejecting behavior by parents of LGB adolescents and negative health problems in the teenagers studied: | |||
| Higher rates of family rejection were significantly associated with poorer health outcomes. On the basis of odds ratios, lesbian, gay, and bisexual young adults who reported higher levels of family rejection during adolescence were 8.4 times more likely to report having attempted suicide, 5.9 times more likely to report high levels of depression, 3.4 times more likely to use illegal drugs, and 3.4 times more likely to report having engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse compared with peers from families that reported no or low levels of family rejection. | |||
| Crisis centers in larger cities and information sites on the Internet have arisen to help youth and adults. The Trevor Helpline, a suicide prevention helpline for gay youth, was established following the 1998 airing on HBO of the Academy Award winning short film Trevor. | |||
| HistoryMain articles: LGBT history and Timeline of LGBT history | |||
| Societal attitudes towards same-sex relationships have varied over time and place, from expecting all males to engage in same-sex relationships, to casual integration, through acceptance, to seeing the practice as a minor sin, repressing it through law enforcement and judicial mechanisms, and to proscribing it under penalty of death. | |||
| In a detailed compilation of historical and ethnographic materials of Preindustrial Cultures, "strong disapproval of homosexuality was reported for 41% of 42 cultures; it was accepted or ignored by 21%, and 12% reported no such concept. Of 70 ethnographies, 59% reported homosexuality absent or rare in frequency and 41% reported it present or not uncommon." | |||
| In cultures influenced by Abrahamic religions, the law and the church established sodomy as a transgression against divine law or a crime against nature. The condemnation of anal sex between males, however, predates Christian belief. It was frequent in ancient Greece; "unnatural" can be traced back to Plato. | |||
| Many historical figures, including Socrates, Lord Byron, Edward II, and Hadrian, have had terms such as gay or bisexual applied to them; some scholars, such as Michel Foucault, have regarded this as risking the anachronistic introduction of a contemporary construction of sexuality foreign to their times, though others challenge this. | |||
| A common thread of constructionist argument is that no one in antiquity or the Middle Ages experienced homosexuality as an exclusive, permanent, or defining mode of sexuality. John Boswell has countered this argument by citing ancient Greek writings by Plato, which describe individuals exhibiting exclusive homosexuality. | |||
| Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum. Illustration from photograph © 1999 Greg Reeder.AfricaThough often ignored or suppressed by European explorers and colonialists, homosexual expression in native Africa was also present and took a variety of forms. Anthropologists Stephen Murray and Will Roscoe reported that women in Lesotho engaged in socially sanctioned "long term, erotic relationships" called motsoalle. E. E. Evans-Pritchard also recorded that male Azande warriors in the northern Congo routinely took on young male lovers between the ages of twelve and twenty, who helped with household tasks and participated in intercrural sex with their older husbands. The practice had died out by the early 20th century, after Europeans had gained control of African countries, but was recounted to Evans-Pritchard by the elders to whom he spoke. | |||
| The first record of possible homosexual couple in history is commonly regarded as Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum, an Egyptian male couple, who lived around the 2400 BCE. The pair are portrayed in a nose-kissing position, the most intimate pose in Egyptian art, surrounded by what appear to be their heirs. | |||
| Americas | |||
| Dance to the Berdache | |||
| Sac and Fox Nation ceremonial dance to celebrate the two-spirit person. George Catlin (1796–1872); Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DCAmong indigenous peoples of the Americas prior to European colonization, a common form of same-sex sexuality centered around the figure of the Two-Spirit individual. Typically this individual was recognized early in life, given a choice by the parents to follow the path and, if the child accepted the role, raised in the appropriate manner, learning the customs of the gender it had chosen. Two-Spirit individuals were commonly shamans and were revered as having powers beyond those of ordinary shamans. Their sexual life was with the ordinary tribe members of the same sex. | |||
| Homosexual and transgender individuals were also common among other pre-conquest civilizations in Latin America, such as the Aztecs, Mayans, Quechuas, Moches, Zapotecs, and the Tupinambá of Brazil. | |||
| A woman spying on a pair of male lovers. China, Qing dynasty.The Spanish conquerors were horrified to discover sodomy openly practiced among native peoples, and attempted to crush it out by subjecting the berdaches (as the Spanish called them) under their rule to severe penalties, including public execution, burning and being torn to pieces by dogs. | |||
| East AsiaIn East Asia, same-sex love has been referred to since the earliest recorded history. | |||
| Homosexuality in China, known as the pleasures of the bitten peach, the cut sleeve, or the southern custom, has been recorded since approximately 600 BCE. These euphemistic terms were used to describe behaviors, not identities (recently some fashionable young Chinese tend to euphemistically use the term "brokeback", 斷背 duanbei to refer to homosexual men, from the success of director Ang Lee's film Brokeback Mountain). Homosexuality was mentioned in Chinese literature. The instances of same-sex affection and sexual interactions described in the classical novel Dream of the Red Chamber seem as familiar to observers in the present as do equivalent stories of romances between heterosexual people during the same period. | |||
| Homosexuality in Japan, variously known as shudo or nanshoku has been documented for over one thousand years and was an integral part of Buddhist monastic life and the samurai tradition. This same-sex love culture gave rise to strong traditions of painting and literature documenting and celebrating such relationships. | |||
| Similarly, in Thailand, Kathoey, or "ladyboys", have been a feature of Thai society for many centuries, and Thai kings had male as well as female lovers. While Kathoey may encompass simple effeminacy or transvestism, it most commonly is treated in Thai culture as a third gender. They are generally accepted by society, and Thailand has never had legal prohibitions against homosexuality or homosexual behavior. | |||
| EuropeFurther information: Homosexuality in ancient Greece, Homosexuality in ancient Rome | |||
| Roman man penetrating a youth, possibly a slave, middle of the 1st century AD. Found in Bittir (?), near Jerusalem.The earliest Western documents (in the form of literary works, art objects, and mythographic materials) concerning same-sex relationships are derived from ancient Greece. | |||
| In regard of male homosexuality such documents depict a world in which relationships with women and relationships with youths were the essential foundation of a normal man's love life. Same-sex relationships were a social institution variously constructed over time and from one city to another. The formal practice, an erotic yet often restrained relationship between a free adult male and a free adolescent, was valued for its pedagogic benefits and as a means of population control, though occasionally blamed for causing disorder. Plato praised its benefits in his early writings but in his late works proposed its prohibition. In the Symposium (182B-D), Plato equates acceptance of homosexuality with democracy, and its suppression with despotism, saying that homosexuality "is shameful to barbarians because of their despotic governments, just as philosophy and athletics are, since it is apparently not in best interests of such rulers to have great ideas engendered in their subjects, or powerful friendships or physical unions, all of which love is particularly apt to produce". Aristotle, in the Politics, dismissed Plato's ideas about abolishing homosexuality (2.4); he explains that barbarians like the Celts accorded it a special honor (2.6.6), while the Cretans used it to regulate the population (2.7.5). | |||
| Youth females are depicted as surrounding Sappho in this painting of Lafond "Sappho sings for Homer", 1824.Little is known of female homosexuality in antiquity. Sappho, born on the island of Lesbos, was included by later Greeks in the canonical list of nine lyric poets. The adjectives deriving from her name and place of birth (Sapphic and Lesbian) came to be applied to female homosexuality beginning in the 19th century. Sappho's poetry centers on passion and love for various personages and both genders. The narrators of many of her poems speak of infatuations and love (sometimes requited, sometimes not) for various females, but descriptions of physical acts between women are few and subject to debate. | |||
| Sappho reading to her companions on an Attic vase of c. 435 BC.In Ancient Rome the young male body remained a focus of male sexual attention, but relationships were between older free men and slaves or freed youths who took the receptive role in sex. All the emperors with the exception of Claudius took male lovers. The Hellenophile emperor Hadrian is renowned for his relationship with Antinous, but the Christian emperor Theodosius I decreed a law on August 6, 390, condemning passive males to be burned at the stake. Justinian, towards the end of his reign, expanded the proscription to the active partner as well (in 558), warning that such conduct can lead to the destruction of cities through the "wrath of God". Notwithstanding these regulations, taxes on brothels of boys available for homosexual sex continued to be collected until the end of the reign of Anastasius I in 518. | |||
| During the Renaissance, wealthy cities in northern Italy—Florence and Venice in particular—were renowned for their widespread practice of same-sex love, engaged in by a considerable part of the male population and constructed along the classical pattern of Greece and Rome. But even as many of the male population were engaging in same-sex relationships, the authorities, under the aegis of the Officers of the Night court, were prosecuting, fining, and imprisoning a good portion of that population. From the second half of the 13th century, death was the punishment for male homosexuality in most of Europe. The eclipse of this period of relative artistic and erotic freedom was precipitated by the rise to power of the moralizing monk Girolamo Savonarola. In northern Europe the artistic discourse on sodomy was turned against its proponents by artists such as Rembrandt, who in his Rape of Ganymede no longer depicted Ganymede as a willing youth, but as a squalling baby attacked by a rapacious bird of prey. | |||
| The relationships of socially prominent figures, such as King James I and the Duke of Buckingham, served to highlight the issue, including in anonymously authored street pamphlets: "The world is chang'd I know not how, For men Kiss Men, not Women now;...Of J. the First and Buckingham: He, true it is, his Wives Embraces fled, To slabber his lov'd Ganimede" (Mundus Foppensis, or The Fop Display'd, 1691). | |||
| Love Letters Between a Certain Late Nobleman and the Famous Mr. Wilson was published in 1723 in England and was presumed by some modern scholars to be a novel. The 1749 edition of John Cleland's popular novel Fanny Hill includes a homosexual scene, but this was removed in its 1750 edition. Also in 1749, the earliest extended and serious defense of homosexuality in English, Ancient and Modern Pederasty Investigated and Exemplified, written by Thomas Cannon, was published, but was suppressed almost immediately. It includes the passage, "Unnatural Desire is a Contradiction in Terms; downright Nonsense. Desire is an amatory Impulse of the inmost human Parts." Around 1785 Jeremy Bentham wrote another defense, but this was not published until 1978. Executions for sodomy continued in the Netherlands until 1803, and in England until 1835. | |||
| Between 1864 and 1880 Karl Heinrich Ulrichs published a series of twelve tracts, which he collectively titled Research on the Riddle of Man-Manly Love. In 1867, he became the first self-proclaimed homosexual person to speak out publicly in defense of homosexuality when he pleaded at the Congress of German Jurists in Munich for a resolution urging the repeal of anti-homosexual laws. Sexual Inversion by Havelock Ellis, published in 1896, challenged theories that homosexuality was abnormal, as well as stereotypes, and insisted on the ubiquity of homosexuality and its association with intellectual and artistic achievement. Although medical texts like these (written partly in Latin to obscure the sexual details) were not widely read by the general public, they did lead to the rise of Magnus Hirschfeld's Scientific Humanitarian Committee, which campaigned from 1897 to 1933 against anti-sodomy laws in Germany, as well as a much more informal, unpublicized movement among British intellectuals and writers, led by such figures as Edward Carpenter and John Addington Symonds. Beginning in 1894 with Homogenic Love, Socialist activist and poet Edward Carpenter wrote a string of pro-homosexual articles and pamphlets, and "came out" in 1916 in his book My Days and Dreams. In 1900, Elisar von Kupffer published an anthology of homosexual literature from antiquity to his own time, Lieblingminne und Freundesliebe in der Weltliteratur. His aim was to broaden the public perspective of homosexuality beyond its being viewed simply as a medical or biological issue, but also as an ethical and cultural one. In a backlash to this, the Third Reich specifically targeted LGBT people in the Holocaust. | |||
| Middle East, South and Central Asia | |||
| Dance of a bacchá (dancing boy) | |||
| Samarkand, (ca 1905–1915), photo Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii. Library of Congress, Washington, DC.Further information: Homosexuality and Islam and Category:LGBT in the Middle East | |||
| Among many Middle Eastern Muslim cultures egalitarian or age-structured homosexual practices were, and remain, widespread and thinly veiled. The prevailing pattern of same-sex relationships in the temperate and sub-tropical zone stretching from Northern India to the Western Sahara is one in which the relationships were—and are—either gender-structured or age-structured or both. In recent years, egalitarian relationships modeled on the western pattern have become more frequent, though they remain rare. Same-sex intercourse officially carries the death penalty in several Muslim nations: Saudi Arabia, Iran, Mauritania, northern Nigeria, Sudan, and Yemen. | |||
| Some scholars argue that there are examples of homosexual love in ancient literature, like in the Mesopotamian Epic of Gilgamesh as well as in the Biblical story of David and Jonathan. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, the relationship between the main protagonist Gilgamesh and the character Enkidu has been seen by some to be homosexual in nature. Similarly, David's love for Jonathon is "greater than the love of women." Admittedly, many of these examples are inherently problematic because of applying the modern category of "homosexuality" to a time where none-such forms of identity existed. | |||
| A tradition of art and literature sprang up constructing Middle Eastern homosexuality. Muslim—often Sufi—poets in medieval Arab lands and in Persia wrote odes to the beautiful wine boys who served them in the taverns. In many areas the practice survived into modern times, as documented by Richard Francis Burton, André Gide, and others. | |||
| There are a handful of accounts by Arab travelers to Europe during mid-1800s. Two of these travelers, Rifa'ah al-Tahtawi and Muhammad sl-Saffar, show their surprise that the French sometimes mis-translated love poetry about a young boy, instead referring to a young female, to maintain their social norms and morals. | |||
| In Persia homosexuality and homoerotic expressions were tolerated in numerous public places, from monasteries and seminaries to taverns, military camps, bathhouses, and coffee houses. In the early Safavid era (1501–1723), male houses of prostitution (amrad khane) were legally recognized and paid taxes. Persian poets, such as Sa'di (d. 1291), Hafez (d. 1389), and Jami (d. 1492), wrote poems replete with homoerotic allusions. The two most commonly documented forms were commercial sex with transgender young males or males enacting transgender roles exemplified by the köçeks and the bacchás, and Sufi spiritual practices in which the practitioner admired the form of a beautiful boy in order to enter ecstatic states and glimpse the beauty of god. | |||
| Today, governments in the Middle East often ignore, deny the existence of, or criminalize homosexuality. Homosexuality is illegal in almost all Muslim countries. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, during his 2007 speech at Columbia University, asserted that there were no gay people in Iran. Gay people do live in Iran, but most keep their sexuality a secret for fear of government sanction or rejection by their families. | |||
| The Laws of Manu, the foundational work of Hindu law, mentions a "third sex", members of which may engage in nontraditional gender expression and homosexual activities. | |||
| South PacificIn many societies of Melanesia, especially in Papua New Guinea, same-sex relationships were an integral part of the culture until the middle of the last century. The Etoro and Marind-anim for example, even viewed heterosexuality as sinful and celebrated homosexuality instead. In many traditional Melanesian cultures a prepubertal boy would be paired with an older adolescent who would become his mentor and who would "inseminate" him (orally, anally, or topically, depending on the tribe) over a number of years in order for the younger to also reach puberty. Many Melanesian societies, however, have become hostile towards same-sex relationships since the introduction of Christianity by European missionaries. | |||
| Law, politics, society and sociologyFurther information: Societal attitudes toward homosexuality | |||
| LegalityFurther information: Sodomy law and LGBT rights by country or territory | |||
| See also: LGBT rights opposition | |||
| Homosexuality legal | |||
| Same-sex marriage | |||
| Other type of partnership (or unregistered cohabitation) | |||
| Same-sex marriage recognized, but not performed | |||
| Homosexuality legal but same-sex unions not recognized Homosexuality illegal | |||
| Minimal penalty | |||
| Large penalty | |||
| Life in prison | |||
| Death penalty | |||
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| v · d · eMost nations do not impede consensual sex between unrelated persons above the local age of consent. Some jurisdictions further recognize identical rights, protections, and privileges for the family structures of same-sex couples, including marriage. Some nations mandate that all individuals restrict themselves to heterosexual relationships; that is, in some jurisdictions homosexual activity is illegal. Offenders can face the death penalty in some fundamentalist Muslim areas such as Iran and parts of Nigeria. There are, however, often significant differences between official policy and real-world enforcement. See Violence against LGBT people. | |||
| Although homosexual acts were decriminalized in some parts of the Western world, such as Poland in 1932, Denmark in 1933, Sweden in 1944, and the United Kingdom in 1967, it was not until the mid-1970s that the gay community first began to achieve limited civil rights in some developed countries. On July 2, 2009, homosexuality was decriminalized in India by a High Court ruling. A turning point was reached in 1973 when the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, thus negating its previous definition of homosexuality as a clinical mental disorder. In 1977, Quebec became the first state-level jurisdiction in the world to prohibit discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. During the 1980s and 1990s, most developed countries enacted laws decriminalizing homosexual behavior and prohibiting discrimination against lesbian and gay people in employment, housing, and services. On the other hand, many countries today in the Middle East and Africa, as well as several countries in Asia, the Caribbean and the South Pacific, outlaw homosexuality. In six countries, homosexual behavior is punishable by life imprisonment; in ten others, it carries the death penalty. | |||
| Sexual orientation and the lawUnited StatesEmployment discrimination refers to discriminatory employment practices such as bias in hiring, promotion, job assignment, termination, and compensation, and various types of harassment. In the United States there is "very little statutory, common law, and case law establishing employment discrimination based upon sexual orientation as a legal wrong." Some exceptions and alternative legal strategies are available. President Bill Clinton's Executive Order 13087 (1998) prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation in the competitive service of the federal civilian workforce, and federal non-civil service employees may have recourse under the due process clause of the U.S. Constitution. Private sector workers may have a Title VII action under a quid pro quo sexual harassment theory, a "hostile work environment" theory, a sexual stereotyping theory, or others. | |||
| Housing discrimination refers to discrimination against potential or current tenants by landlords. In the United States, there is no federal law against such discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, but at least thirteen states and many major cities have enacted laws prohibiting it. | |||
| Hate crimes (also known as bias crimes) are crimes motivated by bias against an identifiable social group, usually groups defined by race (classification of human beings), religion, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, gender identity, or political affiliation. In the United States, 45 states and the District of Columbia have statutes criminalizing various types of bias-motivated violence or intimidation (the exceptions are AZ, GA, IN, SC, and WY). Each of these statutes covers bias on the basis of race, religion, and ethnicity; 32 of them cover sexual orientation, 28 cover gender, and 11 cover transgender/gender-identity. In October 2009, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which "...gives the Justice Department the power to investigate and prosecute bias-motivated violence where the perpetrator has selected the victim because of the person's actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability", was signed into law and makes hate crime based on sexual orientation, amongst other offenses, a federal crime in the United States. | |||
| European UnionIn the European Union discrimination of any type based on sexual orientation or gender identity is illegal under the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. | |||
| Political activismFurther information: LGBT social movements | |||
| Barbara Gittings picketing Independence Hall July 4, 1966. Photo taken by Kay Lahusen.Since the 1960s, many LGBT people in the West, particularly those in major metropolitan areas, have developed a so-called gay culture. To many, gay culture is exemplified by the gay pride movement, with annual parades and displays of rainbow flags. Yet not all LGBT people choose to participate in "queer culture", and many gay men and women specifically decline to do so. To some it seems to be a frivolous display, perpetuating gay stereotypes. To some others, the gay culture represents heterophobia and is scorned as widening the gulf between gay and non-gay people. | |||
| With the outbreak of AIDS in the early 1980s, many LGBT groups and individuals organized campaigns to promote efforts in AIDS education, prevention, research, patient support, and community outreach, as well as to demand government support for these programs. Gay Men's Health Crisis, Project Inform, and ACT UP are some notable American examples of the LGBT community's response to the AIDS crisis. | |||
| The bewildering death toll wrought by the AIDS epidemic at first seemed to slow the progress of the gay rights movement, but in time it galvanized some parts of the LGBT community into community service and political action, and challenged the heterosexual community to respond compassionately. Major American motion pictures from this period that dramatized the response of individuals and communities to the AIDS crisis include An Early Frost (1985), Longtime Companion (1990), And the Band Played On (1993), Philadelphia (1993), and Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt (1989), the last referring to the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, last displayed in its entirety on the Mall in Washington, D.C., in 1996. | |||
| Publicly gay politicians have attained numerous government posts, even in countries that had sodomy laws in their recent past. Examples include Guido Westerwelle, Germany's Vice-Chancellor; Peter Mandelson, a British Labour Party cabinet minister and Per-Kristian Foss, formerly Norwegian Minister of Finance. | |||
| LGBT movements are opposed by a variety of individuals and organizations. Some social conservatives believe that all sexual relationships with people other than an opposite-sex spouse undermine the traditional family and that children should be reared in homes with both a father and a mother. There is concern that gay rights may conflict with individuals' freedom of speech, religious freedoms in the workplace, the ability to run churches, charitable organizations and other religious organizations in accordance with one's religious views, and that the acceptance of homosexual relationships by religious organizations might be forced through threatening to remove the tax-exempt status of churches whose views do not align with those of the government. | |||
| Critics charge that political correctness has led to the association of sex between males and HIV being downplayed. | |||
| RelationshipsIn 2006, the American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association and National Association of Social Workers stated in an Amicus Brief presented to the Supreme Court of the State of California: "Gay men and lesbians form stable, committed relationships that are equivalent to heterosexual relationships in essential respects. The institution of marriage offers social, psychological, and health benefits that are denied to same-sex couples. By denying same-sex couples the right to marry, the state reinforces and perpetuates the stigma historically associated with homosexuality. Homosexuality remains stigmatized, and this stigma has negative consequences. California's prohibition on marriage for same-sex couples reflects and reinforces this stigma". They concluded: "There is no scientific basis for distinguishing between same-sex couples and heterosexual couples with respect to the legal rights, obligations, benefits, and burdens conferred by civil marriage." | |||
| Military service | |||
| The US Army defines homosexual conduct as "a homosexual act, a statement by a soldier that demonstrates a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts, the solicitation of another to engage in homosexual act or acts, or a homosexual marriage or attempted marriage."Main article: Sexual orientation and military service | |||
| Policies and attitudes toward gay and lesbian military personnel vary widely around the world. Some countries allow gay men, lesbians, and bisexual people to serve openly and have granted them the same rights and privileges as their heterosexual counterparts. Many countries neither ban nor support LGB service members. A few countries continue to ban homosexual personnel outright. | |||
| Most Western military forces have removed policies excluding sexual minority members. Of the 26 countries that participate militarily in NATO, more than 20 permit openly gay, lesbian and bisexual people to serve. Of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, three (United Kingdom, France and United States) do so. The other two generally do not: China bans gay and lesbian people outright, Russia excludes all gay and lesbian people during peacetime but allows some gay men to serve in wartime (see below). Israel is the only country in the Middle East region that allows openly LGB people to serve in the military. | |||
| While the question of homosexuality in the military has been highly politicized in the United States, it is not necessarily so in many countries. Generally speaking, sexuality in these cultures is considered a more personal aspect of one's identity than it is in the United States. | |||
| According to American Psychological Association empirical evidence fails to show that sexual orientation is germane to any aspect of military effectiveness including unit cohesion, morale, recruitment and retention. Sexual orientation is irrelevant to task cohesion, the only type of cohesion that critically predicts the team's military readiness and success. | |||
| On March 18, 2010, after U.S. President Obama announced that he wanted to put an end to the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, former U.S. general and high ranking NATO official John Sheehan blamed homosexuals serving in the Dutch military for the fall of Srebrenica to Serb militias in the Bosnian War fifteen years earlier, stating that homosexuals had weakened the Dutch UN battalion charged with protecting the enclave. In the U.S. Senate, Sheehan said that European countries had tried to "socialize" their armed forces by letting people serve in the army too easily, which according to him, left them weakened. He claimed that his opinion was shared by the leadership of the Dutch armed forces, mentioning the name "Hankman Berman", most probably referring to the then chief of the Dutch defence staff, Henk van den Breemen. Dutch authorities dismissed Sheehan's statements as "disgraceful" and "total nonsense". | |||
| ReligionMain article: Religion and homosexuality | |||
| Though the relationship between homosexuality and religion can vary greatly across time and place, within and between different religions and sects, and regarding different forms of homosexuality and bisexuality, current authoritative bodies and doctrines of the world's largest religions generally view homosexuality negatively. This can range from quietly discouraging homosexual activity, to explicitly forbidding same-sex sexual practices among adherents and actively opposing social acceptance of homosexuality. Some teach that homosexual orientation itself is sinful, while the Catholic Church states that only the sexual act itself is a sin. Some claim that homosexuality can be overcome through religious faith and practice. On the other hand, voices exist within many of these religions that view homosexuality more positively, and liberal religious denominations may bless same-sex marriages. Some view same-sex love and sexuality as sacred, and a mythology of same-sex love can be found around the world. Regardless of their position on homosexuality, many people of faith look to both sacred texts and tradition for guidance on this issue. However, the authority of various traditions or scriptural passages and the correctness of translations and interpretations have been disputed. | |||
| Heterosexism and homophobiaFurther information: Heterosexism and Homophobia | |||
| Protests in New York City against Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill.In many cultures, homosexual people are frequently subject to prejudice and discrimination. Similar to other minority groups they can also be subject to stereotyping. These attitudes tend to be due to forms of homophobia and heterosexism (negative attitudes, bias, and discrimination in favor of opposite-sex sexuality and relationships). Heterosexism can include the presumption that everyone is heterosexual or that opposite-sex attractions and relationships are the norm and therefore superior. Homophobia is a fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexual people. It manifests in different forms, and a number of different types have been postulated, among which are internalized homophobia, social homophobia, emotional homophobia, rationalized homophobia, and others. Similar is lesbophobia (specifically targeting lesbians) and biphobia (against bisexual people). When such attitudes manifest as crimes they are often called hate crimes and gay bashing. | |||
| Negative stereotypes characterize LGB people as less romantically stable, more promiscuous and more likely to abuse children, but there is no scientific basis to such assertions. Gay men and lesbians form stable, committed relationships that are equivalent to heterosexual relationships in essential respects. Sexual orientation does not affect the likelihood that people will abuse children. Claims that there is scientific evidence to support an association between being gay and being a pedophile are based on misuses of those terms and misrepresentation of the actual evidence. | |||
| Violence against gay and lesbian peopleMain article: Violence against LGBT people | |||
| In the United States, the FBI reported that 15.6% of hate crimes reported to police in 2004 were based on perceived sexual orientation. Sixty-one percent of these attacks were against gay men. The 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay student, is a notorious such incident in the U.S. | |||
| Homosexual behavior in animalsMain article: Homosexual behavior in animals | |||
| Roy and Silo, two New York Central Park Zoo male Chinstrap Penguins similar to those pictured, became internationally known when they coupled and later were given an egg that needed hatching and care, which they successfully did.Homosexual behavior in animals refers to the documented evidence of homosexual, bisexual and transgender behavior in non-human animals. Such behaviors include sex, courtship, affection, pair bonding, and parenting. Homosexual and bisexual behavior are widespread in the animal kingdom: a 1999 review by researcher Bruce Bagemihl shows that homosexual behavior has been observed in close to 1500 species, ranging from primates to gut worms, and is well documented for 500 of them. Animal sexual behavior takes many different forms, even within the same species. The motivations for and implications of these behaviors have yet to be fully understood, since most species have yet to be fully studied. According to Bagemihl, "the animal kingdom it with much greater sexual diversity—including homosexual, bisexual and nonreproductive sex—than the scientific community and society at large have previously been willing to accept." | |||
Revision as of 21:53, 20 October 2011
Thanks
Thanks for the revert. =) -- Gogo Dodo (talk) 01:31, 15 December 2009 (UTC)
- My pleasure. Wknight94 02:33, 15 December 2009 (UTC)
Can you block this user and delete the Str8lace page?
I just stumbled onto Str8-Lace.
User:Crookedarmy and IP User:71.202.254.74 have been removing the speedy delete template originally put up by another user, and they refuse to use {{holdon}}. Crookedarmy has been warned umpteen times.
Can you block them and delete this article? Moogwrench (talk) 12:03, 16 December 2009 (UTC)
- Umm, It was just recreated a bit ago by the same user, and he's deleting the speedy delete tags again. Moogwrench (talk) 13:22, 16 December 2009 (UTC)
Thank you
For undoing the vandalism on my userpage. Ian.thomson (talk) 02:04, 17 December 2009 (UTC)
- My pleasure. Wknight94 02:05, 17 December 2009 (UTC)
Tour Pages
Can you please help me get notices off of The Final Riot! Tour and the Brand New Eyes Tour? There are multiple references, all from reliable sources, on both pages. But the notice stating otherwise is still there. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.231.81.57 (talk) 01:42, 18 December 2009 (UTC)
Seasons Greetings
Merry Christmas.--Sky Attacker the legend reborn... 01:46, 18 December 2009 (UTC)
- Same to you. Wknight94 12:39, 18 December 2009 (UTC)
- Someone put some coal in that guy's stocking, it seems. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 16:39, 23 December 2009 (UTC)
- Just keeps getting weirder and weirder around here, eh? Wknight94 17:05, 23 December 2009 (UTC)
- Either that, or we're just noticing it more. Time for a holiday. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 19:09, 23 December 2009 (UTC)
- Just keeps getting weirder and weirder around here, eh? Wknight94 17:05, 23 December 2009 (UTC)
- Someone put some coal in that guy's stocking, it seems. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 16:39, 23 December 2009 (UTC)
And happy new year
but ... I didn't understand your edit summary here tx--Epeefleche (talk) 16:33, 18 December 2009 (UTC)
- Which part? The list is not empty (which encourages admins to keep looking) and I only edited to decline one (hadn't edited in days). Wknight94 16:35, 18 December 2009 (UTC)
- Oh, I see - you added that report (it was unsigned). That IP hasn't edited in two days - what would be the point of blocking it now? We usually go by the assumption that the people behind IPs change from time to time. Wknight94 16:36, 18 December 2009 (UTC)
- Whoops. Sorry--I must not have signed it. I was reporting an IP vandal-only account, w/six or so vandal edits about a day and a half ago. OK--I had thought that as a vandal only account, without there ever having been other edits that were not vandalism, we would not assume that IP is a changing one. But tx for the explanation .. I wasn't clear from the edit summary. Best.--Epeefleche (talk) 16:39, 18 December 2009 (UTC)
- No problem. I'll try to remember to include more info when you're the reporter. "Vandalism-only" is usually reserved for logged-in accounts, not IPs (unless something has changed recently...) Wknight94 16:42, 18 December 2009 (UTC)
- Sorry to be a bother. Not familiar w/any technical meaning; was simply trying to save any reviewer time and indicate that every edit by the IP had been vandalism. Tx.--Epeefleche (talk) 17:12, 18 December 2009 (UTC)
- No problem. I'll try to remember to include more info when you're the reporter. "Vandalism-only" is usually reserved for logged-in accounts, not IPs (unless something has changed recently...) Wknight94 16:42, 18 December 2009 (UTC)
Vandal
Can you block the IP 69.136.62.96 who continues to vandalize Curt Schillings page.--Yankees10 00:50, 22 December 2009 (UTC)
- Done. And I got one of his accounts too. Wknight94 02:15, 22 December 2009 (UTC)
- Sorry I took so long to respond, thanks.--Yankees10 16:33, 23 December 2009 (UTC)
86.160.26.102
I decline his unblock, but he really should have been escalated to a final warning before the hammer came down. Unless you believe he's a sock. Daniel Case (talk) 19:55, 23 December 2009 (UTC)
- That area is rife with socks - Scibaby (talk · contribs) and such. And there were more than enough edits to warrant a block. What the hell is with that unblock request anyway?! "I have broken my leg"?! The intent was pretty clear there - to see how long it would take to be blocked. Wknight94 20:29, 23 December 2009 (UTC)
Riverside High School for Engineering and Design - slide show GIF
Hi. I hope you are having pleasant holidays.
I just stumbled across Riverside High School for Engineering and Design (in Yonkers, where a new anonymous user has been doing a lot of edits related to public schools).
I've never before seen a Misplaced Pages article illustrated by a slide show. I don't like it, and I'm wondering if there is a policy (or a set of guidelines) on this sort of thing somewhere. (I haven't been able to find any such.) You know more about media usage than I do, so I figured I'd start off by asking you.
There's also a possibility that the slide show is a copyvio, but I haven't found it on the school website yet. --Orlady (talk) 22:09, 24 December 2009 (UTC)
- Hi, you too. I tweaked so it's not at the top-left. I still don't like it either but it's better than no image at all (I guess). You don't even need to find the full animated gif - if any of the individual shots are copyvio, then the whole thing would have to go. If you have a decent image program (which I don't in all honesty - although I may be getting one from Santa!), then you could probably separate the animated gif into individual images and re-upload. Wknight94 03:14, 25 December 2009 (UTC)
major league franchises, etc
Hi!
i've just read about as much as i could of the HEEOOUUGE discussion you had here between 18-23 Oct and i have to say...you hit the nail right on the head with your first couple of paragraphs alone!
you see, i tried to re-start an identical discussion here about a week before you (11 Oct) but i guess we missed each other!
mine never really took off as much as yours, tho.
since you appear to be much better at arguing than me (i tend to go for the calmly-calmly approach, whereas the fuck you, this is what i think approach seems to work quite well for you!), here's the crux of my argument which you can use next time you argue with your detractors, because i think got omitted in your discussion:
my argument: there's no "NEED" for ALL previous incarnations of teams to IMMEDIATELY HAVE-TO-HAVE have their own articles; rather, if anyone WANTS to make a split-off article with the full info on, say, Brooklyn, they should be ALLOWED TO DO IT.
ie. there's no "NEED" for all 29 franchises to "HAVE TO" follow the example of Montreal, but we merely need to PROTECT THE RIGHTS of potential editors WHO FEEL THEY WISH to split off an article.
see!
if this one simple rule is followed, then such splits will happen gradually and naturally.
because i think that's what most of the detractors are afraid of - that if this "rule" is imposed, then all hell and damnation will be let loose. but no. as long as people have something to say on an old team, let them; if they dont, then we can always leave it for later and someone else who feels they can do it properly.
and i have to say, i got quite miffed at the contributor on your discussion who gave the proctor and gamble analogy, as i deal with this particular point on my page - that there IS a difference between sports franchises and all other kinds...the FANS.
anyway - i think your arguments helped, for now anyway, as the Brooklyn Dodgers article has at least been redirected to "History of the Dodgers" rather than to "LA Dodgers", which got overridden even after i'd tried to write a reasonably succinct version of it in Feb-Apr. keep up the good work.
hope i've helped!
Cheers, and take care!
BigSteve (talk) 23:01, 24 December 2009 (UTC)
- Well, I'm not sure that's my approach exactly... It was more that I was waiting for someone to give a good reason to oppose - one that even I could get behind - but I never heard one. I still don't like the "History of Brooklyn Dodgers" title, but it's as good a compromise as I could muster. It covers my main complaint of having older incarnations hopelessly and increasingly under-represented. I could not - and still cannot - understand the idea that having a separate article somehow tricks or misleads the reader into thinking it is a separate franchise. It's hard to say if your argument would alleviate that concern, but it is definitely an argument that should help pull a discussion to a middle ground, and I will use it in the future. For the "misleading" concern, one could direct the detractors to look at the existing Dodgers and Giants splits, and honestly say whether they sound misleading. I haven't heard anyone say they do.
- Thanks for the advice! The key to a good discussion is to draw in as many people as possible. That way, you're more assured that you get the right answer - whether it's the one you wanted or not. Wknight94 03:50, 25 December 2009 (UTC)
- Definitely - the more, the merrier! wisdom of crowds and all that! BigSteve (talk) 15:37, 25 December 2009 (UTC)
Television Radio, episode 127
76.223.72.72 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) same pattern as before. WuhWuzDat 12:31, 27 December 2009 (UTC)
- Blocked for a few months. Wknight94 14:36, 27 December 2009 (UTC)
- EPISODE 128, "Television Radio goes to Skokie": 76.223.71.178 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log). WuhWuzDat 15:46, 31 December 2009 (UTC)
- Blocked again. Wknight94 16:12, 31 December 2009 (UTC)
- 216.124.113.16 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log), If he's anything, it's persistent. WuhWuzDat 15:41, 13 January 2010 (UTC)
- Blocked yet again. Six months this time. Wknight94 16:07, 13 January 2010 (UTC)
- 216.124.113.16 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log), If he's anything, it's persistent. WuhWuzDat 15:41, 13 January 2010 (UTC)
- Blocked again. Wknight94 16:12, 31 December 2009 (UTC)
- EPISODE 128, "Television Radio goes to Skokie": 76.223.71.178 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log). WuhWuzDat 15:46, 31 December 2009 (UTC)
Episode 130: 76.217.32.98 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) 19:35, 20 January 2010 (UTC)
- Weird, he even reverted himself a few times. Are they even bad edits? This guy confuses me to no end. Wknight94 19:50, 20 January 2010 (UTC)
- Episode 131: 69.209.230.243 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log). By the way, I just (semi-)unretired myself. WuhWuzDat 01:46, 24 January 2010 (UTC)
- Welcome back. BTW, are all of the edits bad? I see few are actually reverted. Wknight94 02:16, 24 January 2010 (UTC)
- I only reverted the edits to a single article, as I no longer have any access to TW. WuhWuzDat 02:20, 24 January 2010 (UTC)
- Welcome back. BTW, are all of the edits bad? I see few are actually reverted. Wknight94 02:16, 24 January 2010 (UTC)
- Episode 131: 69.209.230.243 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log). By the way, I just (semi-)unretired myself. WuhWuzDat 01:46, 24 January 2010 (UTC)
He has returned, see 99.137.149.253 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) (was also a previous IP address for this smelly sock), and 69.209.208.74 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log). WuhWuzDat 11:45, 19 April 2010 (UTC)
- Yet again, at 76.223.74.106 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log). WuhWuzDat 19:42, 25 April 2010 (UTC)
- And yet again at 69.209.206.232 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log). WuhWuzDat 23:03, 2 May 2010 (UTC)
Yet again at 69.209.216.124 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
- And just a few minutes ago at 69.209.209.29 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log). Is there any possibility of turning his edit filter back on? WuhWuzDat 13:22, 22 May 2010 (UTC)
- The problem is that filter was very server-intensive and he is not all that active. Wknight94 14:58, 22 May 2010 (UTC)
69.209.198.10 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) He may not be all that active, but he is persistent. WuhWuzDat 18:02, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
- Yup, persistent: 69.209.219.252 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log). WuhWuzDat 05:52, 18 June 2010 (UTC)
Block
Can you permanently block the IP's 98.203.213.238 and 24.19.12.246. They are the same one removing images and adding false info to baseball pages, and its really getting annoying.--Yankees10 02:06, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
- We don't permanently block IPs - like ever. But I gave both three months off. Wknight94 00:29, 3 January 2010 (UTC)
- Thanks hopefully this person stops now.--Yankees10 00:37, 3 January 2010 (UTC)
Courtesy blanking
Hi. I have no idea what a courtesy blanking is, but you may want to look into this. It's a discussion that developed after I replaced Chris's warning on that project. Regards, Wutsje (talk) 15:06, 4 January 2010 (UTC)
Happy New Year! (Or is it so new, after all?)
Happy New Year! You probably have noticed the OTRS ticket regarding newrochellenews.info. That website says "The newrochellenews.info website is a collaborative effort of the Huguenot and New Rochelle Historical Association, the New Rochelle Preservation Society and the City of New Rochelle, created to increase awareness, understanding and appreciation of the history and current life of the New Rochelle community."
The Community Links list on that website (see the bottom of this page) names the city of New Rochelle as one of its links, but the link does not point to the actual New Rochelle city website at http://www.newrochelleny.com . Instead it points to a random page on the newrochellenews domain. A few of the "City Hall" links on the home page point to pages on the actual city website, but there is no link to the main city page, and some links are to the newrochellenews domain.
Another of the identified sponsors, the Huguenot and New Rochelle Historical Association, uses http://thomaspainecottage.org/ as its website. The organization appears to exist primarily or exclusively to maintain the cottage. Its domain registration is of long standing and appears straightforward: http://whois.domaintools.com/thomaspainecottage.org . The site's developer and maintainer is identified as insitefacilitation, incorrectly linked on the website, but findable at http://insitefacilitation.com/ . It's a small web design company in Torrington, CT. (See whois info.) Its website lists Thomas Paine Cottage as one of its clients. Interestingly the e-mail address for membership queries to this association is painecottage@optonline.net
Insite Facilitation is also identified on the newrochellenews website as the owner of newrochellenews, but it's not named as a client on the insitefacilitation website.
The newrochellenews whois interesting: http://whois.domaintools.com/newrochellenews.info
The third identified sponsor, the New Rochelle Preservation Society, has a remarkably small web footprint, as indicated by a "New+Rochelle+Preservation+Society" Google search. (That restricted search turns up only its own domain and the newrochellenews.info domain.) Its website is at newrochellepreservationsociety.com -- which turns out to be a newly registered domain with the same anonymous registration data as newrochellenews. This site also claims to be maintained by insitefacilitation. The website has no information about the organization that it is supposed to represent, but it does have lots of malformatted nonworking links, as well as links to newrochellenews.info.
It may be a new year, but I have a strong sense of deja vu. I want to flag this domain as not confirmed to be a reliable source -- and there is no reason to think that newrochellenews can claim ownership of the images on it. Would you support me in this? --Orlady (talk) 15:39, 6 January 2010 (UTC)
- 100%. WP:SPS policy is pretty clear - anyone can start a web site. I suppose the OTRS ticket says we can use prose which also appears on their web site, but without more verifiability, such prose would be inappropriate. As for images, I'd be interested to get specifics from OTRS. Did they claim to own images that appear on their web site? I notice there are no images at Commons anyway - and really not many links to the site here either. Frankly, I'm not sure what the point of the OTRS was. Wknight94 18:05, 6 January 2010 (UTC)
- I have a hunch that someone we know initiated the OTRS in order to give undue credibility to their self-published content. Additionally, I perceive the city/organization sponsorship that is claimed on the website as an attempt to endow this content with a mantle of reliability.
- I'm happy to see that they self-published, instead of trying to get Misplaced Pages to accept their content, but I anticipate that they will be trying to use the OTRS -- and the sponsorship claims -- as justification for wholesale-inserting their unsourced text into Misplaced Pages articles. --Orlady (talk) 19:06, 6 January 2010 (UTC)
- Yes, a future attempt sounds plausible. It would probably be best to clean up the current links to that site - remove any poorly-sourced material, and other stray links in the external links sections - and then keep an eye out for future links. It might also be good to remove all the individual talk page OTRS messages and consolidate them into a list somewhere. I don't remember if Talk pages contribute to Google weighting, but the messages aren't really appropriate if the articles don't actually have content from that site anyway. I'd be curious what the OTRS person's thoughts are on placing so many messages despite there being so few actual links to the site. The whole thing seems a bit peculiar to me. Wknight94 19:27, 6 January 2010 (UTC)
- Indeed. I found the fire associated with the smoke. --Orlady (talk) 22:44, 6 January 2010 (UTC)
- Nice job! I see you deleted some - I deleted the rest. Wknight94 23:27, 6 January 2010 (UTC)
- Thanks. I got distracted by real life. --Orlady (talk) 00:29, 7 January 2010 (UTC)
- Nice job! I see you deleted some - I deleted the rest. Wknight94 23:27, 6 January 2010 (UTC)
- Indeed. I found the fire associated with the smoke. --Orlady (talk) 22:44, 6 January 2010 (UTC)
- Yes, a future attempt sounds plausible. It would probably be best to clean up the current links to that site - remove any poorly-sourced material, and other stray links in the external links sections - and then keep an eye out for future links. It might also be good to remove all the individual talk page OTRS messages and consolidate them into a list somewhere. I don't remember if Talk pages contribute to Google weighting, but the messages aren't really appropriate if the articles don't actually have content from that site anyway. I'd be curious what the OTRS person's thoughts are on placing so many messages despite there being so few actual links to the site. The whole thing seems a bit peculiar to me. Wknight94 19:27, 6 January 2010 (UTC)
I think the Chinese New Year is still "new," but this looks like Auld Lang Syne. This is just a heads-up; I know it's a duck, but so far there's not much wrong with the way it's quacking. (The contributions are reasonable ones.) --Orlady (talk) 18:40, 16 February 2010 (UTC)
- Hmmm, all it's doing is categorizing? Maybe it's a slightly different bird. Anhinga perhaps? WP:SPI might be worth a try to make sure. Wknight94 18:48, 16 February 2010 (UTC)
Edits
Re: New York Jets page: Would be glad to discuss out debate over valid sources on a talk page. I apologize for any inadvertent Talk Page Guideline violations, as this is my first time using any talk pages (well, second time--I just posted on Baseball Bugs' talk page). —— Playsmarts (talk) —Preceding undated comment added 05:33, 9 January 2010 (UTC).
Thank you for starting the discussion--its much appreciated, and I hope that we can hash this matter out once and for all. --Playsmarts (talk) 20:09, 9 January 2010 (UTC)
Goodbye
As it has become painfully obvious, my contributions are no longer welcome or needed here. In light of this situation, I am leaving this screwed up bureaucracy for the conceivable future. Good luck, my friend and keep fighting the good fight. ILLEGITIMUS NON CARBORUNDUM WuhWuzDat 02:26, 18 January 2010 (UTC)
- Sorry, I haven't kept up to date on the matter and generally prefer fire ant immersion to WP:RFC. To anyone caught up in a bad situation, I recommend just getting out of it and trying something else. There are even other sites entirely - I've been playing in Wikisource some lately. No reason to leave entirely because of one issue if you're willing to try another. Wknight94 17:12, 19 January 2010 (UTC)
Query on article deletion
Hi, I been working on the Baron Staffords and saw that you had previously deleted a page I was about to create The message says: 12:59, 19 August 2008 Wknight94 (talk | contribs) deleted "Edward Stafford, 3rd Baron Stafford" (G5: Creation by a banned user)
I just wanted to check there was no reason I can't continue with my page creation, ie it was down to the user, not to the content. cheers Rachelcgen (talk) 21:07, 18 January 2010 (UTC)
- That is fine. Wknight94 21:38, 18 January 2010 (UTC)
Moved from above
Just wondering why you deleted the Juiceboxxx page. This man is amazing and I wanted to dedicate a page to him but wanted to check with you first. Amandabeck47 (talk) 16:36, 19 January 2010 (UTC)amandabeck47
- Wow, you're in the WAY-back machine. That was deleted about 18 months ago! What part of WP:N does he meet now? Wknight94 16:41, 19 January 2010 (UTC)
Mets
I don't get what your signature has to do with the Mets.--Johnny Spasm (talk) 23:36, 25 January 2010 (UTC)
- Good grief. "A huge Mets fan"? He'll be chagrined... chagrined, I say... when you tell him. I'm not a Mets fan at all, and I got it. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 23:48, 25 January 2010 (UTC)
- Yes, you said "signature", not "name". There's where you threw us both off, with subtlety. ("Place it on Lucky Dan", e.g.) And beware of inspiring ideas. >:) ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 02:42, 26 January 2010 (UTC)
- Should I colorize my signature? Will someone object because it's too many characters? Is it too "flash"? (An Aussie expression I learned recently) ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 16:11, 26 January 2010 (UTC)
- I've learned there is no limit to what people will object to. I can't imagine colorizing would upset anyone. I do it merely so I can find my own comments in long threads. Wknight94 16:57, 26 January 2010 (UTC)
- Yes, such as edit wars over whether to capitalize part of a title. If we could harness all that wasted energy, we could kiss the Middle East goodbye. So, is my color scheme reasonable? I have to ask, because my right-brain is underdeveloped. :) ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 17:00, 26 January 2010 (UTC)
- Uh-oh, hopefully you mean kiss the Middle East problems goodbye? You're sure to catch plenty of flack for wishing the Middle East to go away!
Wknight94 17:02, 26 January 2010 (UTC)
- Not the Middle East itself, just the problems, yes. In contrast to the Yankees, who I do wish would just go away. And now you've given me another idea. Except they probably wouldn't like it if I embedded a smiling orange in my signature (or a baseball, or Bugsy). ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 18:47, 26 January 2010 (UTC)
- You can probably get away with whatever color scheme you want - but images are generally a no-no. Wknight94 19:00, 26 January 2010 (UTC)
- Even public domain images, I assume? It's the use of the image, not the image itself, that's kind of a technical issue with signatures, right? ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 19:22, 26 January 2010 (UTC)
- Yes. Among other things, it would necessitate fully protecting the image forever so that your signature doesn't become the naughty body part du jour on 1,000 different pages! Wknight94 21:15, 26 January 2010 (UTC)
- Hadn't thought of that. Too much assumption of good faith for my own good, I reckon. Still, it would be interesting to do it this way:
00:54, 27 January 2010 (UTC)
- Hadn't thought of that. Too much assumption of good faith for my own good, I reckon. Still, it would be interesting to do it this way:
- Yes. Among other things, it would necessitate fully protecting the image forever so that your signature doesn't become the naughty body part du jour on 1,000 different pages! Wknight94 21:15, 26 January 2010 (UTC)
- Even public domain images, I assume? It's the use of the image, not the image itself, that's kind of a technical issue with signatures, right? ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 19:22, 26 January 2010 (UTC)
- You can probably get away with whatever color scheme you want - but images are generally a no-no. Wknight94 19:00, 26 January 2010 (UTC)
- Not the Middle East itself, just the problems, yes. In contrast to the Yankees, who I do wish would just go away. And now you've given me another idea. Except they probably wouldn't like it if I embedded a smiling orange in my signature (or a baseball, or Bugsy). ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 18:47, 26 January 2010 (UTC)
- Uh-oh, hopefully you mean kiss the Middle East problems goodbye? You're sure to catch plenty of flack for wishing the Middle East to go away!
- Yes, such as edit wars over whether to capitalize part of a title. If we could harness all that wasted energy, we could kiss the Middle East goodbye. So, is my color scheme reasonable? I have to ask, because my right-brain is underdeveloped. :) ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 17:00, 26 January 2010 (UTC)
- I've learned there is no limit to what people will object to. I can't imagine colorizing would upset anyone. I do it merely so I can find my own comments in long threads. Wknight94 16:57, 26 January 2010 (UTC)
- Should I colorize my signature? Will someone object because it's too many characters? Is it too "flash"? (An Aussie expression I learned recently) ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 16:11, 26 January 2010 (UTC)
- Yes, you said "signature", not "name". There's where you threw us both off, with subtlety. ("Place it on Lucky Dan", e.g.) And beware of inspiring ideas. >:) ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 02:42, 26 January 2010 (UTC)
I think it is fair to say that a guy who made the team out of Spring training, and was demoted back to the minors with a .156 batting average didn't live up to expectations.--Johnny Spasm (talk) 01:54, 28 January 2010 (UTC)
- Or someone else got healthy or <insert some other explanation here>. How do you know they had expectations for Jones at that time? Need a source. Wknight94 02:06, 28 January 2010 (UTC)
- I need a source for "He was expected to bat higher than .156"?--Johnny Spasm (talk) 03:25, 28 January 2010 (UTC)
- You need a source for anything anyone disputes. If he only made the team because Swoboda tweaked his ankle in Spring Training and someone else had the flu on opening day, then saying he did not meet expectations is untrue. Maybe hitting .156 was exactly what they expected but it was the best stop-gap a terrible 112-loss team could come up with. That's a far cry from what was written IMHO. The only undisputable facts that I am comfortable with - given the information available there - is that he was hitting .156 in early May when he was sent back to the minors. No presumptions there. Wknight94 10:53, 28 January 2010 (UTC)
- Stating that fact keeps it in bounds and lets the reader draw his own conclusions. As far as stop-gap things go, I'm thinking of some early-Mets comments from a sarcastically written baseball card book. Like they were listing the records of the Mets starters in 1962, and the one with the fewest losses they referred to as the "stopper". And there was something about Jay Hook fittingly belonging to a rocket club. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 14:23, 28 January 2010 (UTC)
- You need a source for anything anyone disputes. If he only made the team because Swoboda tweaked his ankle in Spring Training and someone else had the flu on opening day, then saying he did not meet expectations is untrue. Maybe hitting .156 was exactly what they expected but it was the best stop-gap a terrible 112-loss team could come up with. That's a far cry from what was written IMHO. The only undisputable facts that I am comfortable with - given the information available there - is that he was hitting .156 in early May when he was sent back to the minors. No presumptions there. Wknight94 10:53, 28 January 2010 (UTC)
- I need a source for "He was expected to bat higher than .156"?--Johnny Spasm (talk) 03:25, 28 January 2010 (UTC)
Question
Is it possible to restore the edit history of articles that were deleted and re-created. For example I created the article for Jarrett Brown in late June or early July, then it was deleted, and was re-created about a month later. I'm pretty sure it was done to the Jerraud Powers article because if you look at the history it was created on December 27, 2008, deleted per Misplaced Pages:Articles for deletion/Jerraud Powers, re-created on January 6, 2009 and the old edit history was re-added. So im just wondering if it can be done to Jarrett Brown.--Yankees10 22:58, 27 January 2010 (UTC)
- I restored the old edits. Jarrett Brown was actually deleted twice, so the history looks pretty odd now, but it should be fine. BTW, you can see the deletion log most clearly here. The other article's is here. Wknight94 00:25, 28 January 2010 (UTC)
- Ok thanks--Yankees10 00:27, 28 January 2010 (UTC)
- Do you think you can do Jamaal Anderson too?--Yankees10 00:35, 28 January 2010 (UTC)
- Done. That's an even bigger mess. Wknight94 00:47, 28 January 2010 (UTC)
- Do you think you can do Jamaal Anderson too?--Yankees10 00:35, 28 January 2010 (UTC)
- Oh wow your right, I wish I didnt keep re-creating it back then, thanks.--Yankees10 00:51, 28 January 2010 (UTC)
Jerry Grote
More ownership issues over on Jerry Grote.Orsoni (talk) 05:52, 1 February 2010 (UTC)
New message
I'm not sure how this forum thing works Wknight94, but deleting a repeating banner of "NIGGAS ARE BAD PEOPLE" from the contents pane is not vandalism. I'm going to assume that the message you sent me was sent in good taste, but undoing your last action was the only way to remove the banner. Thankfully its gone now. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Rhymel (talk • contribs) 05:38, 18 February 2010 (UTC)
- I'm not sure which edit you are referring to but I see where it could be a misunderstanding. That vandalism was most easily fixed by clearing the browser cache, not removing the template altogether. But it's a technical issue that has since been resolved. Sorry for the confusion. Wknight94 15:44, 18 February 2010 (UTC)
Tags Question
Per the page, it shows a tag called "test edits". I assumed this tag was still in use, since unlike some of the lower tags in the list, it doesn't say "This tag is inactive." Yet, I can not find any results when I search for it, and I do not have anything hidden. On a hunch that the tag was disabled or broken, I ran a search on all articles with the text "Headline text" and got 3,079 results. This is the default text for the 
button, adding == Headline text ==. to the page.
I then asked about this on the Help desk, and another user discover that the tag had been turned off. It seems that you might have done this, being an edit filter manager. I am wondering if there was ant particular reason for such? If there is someting broken with the filter, I undertand. If not, it may be helpful to turn it back on. Not sure if I should take this to Misplaced Pages talk:Tags or not, but I figured I would ask you first. --Avicennasis 22:11, 20 February 2010 (UTC)
- At the time, the edit filter performance was poor so I shut a few unnecessary ones off. If things are better now, it can be turned back on. You could mention it at WT:EF. Wknight94 23:36, 20 February 2010 (UTC)
- I have done just that. Thanks for all your help! --Avicennasis 01:45, 21 February 2010 (UTC)
Jerry Grote
I still think you're wrong, and brought the debate up at Misplaced Pages talk:WikiProject Baseball--Johnny Spasm (talk) 00:10, 27 February 2010 (UTC)
- Funny how you said we'd spent too much time on it already. WP:TE. Wknight94 02:02, 27 February 2010 (UTC)
User talk:92.3.201.173
Looks as if he doesn't want TP priviliges either... raseaC 16:43, 5 March 2010 (UTC)
- Indeed. Taken care of. Thanks. Wknight94 16:45, 5 March 2010 (UTC)
AfD nomination of Tara Correa-McMullen
An article that you have been involved in editing, Tara Correa-McMullen, has been listed for deletion. If you are interested in the deletion discussion, please participate by adding your comments at Misplaced Pages:Articles for deletion/Tara Correa-McMullen. Thank you.
Please contact me if you're unsure why you received this message. --Bejnar (talk) 21:59, 5 March 2010 (UTC)
Jack Clark
I think I just assumed that it was not a valid image because it was a new editor and a lot of new editors dont know that the images have to be free and they upload pictures that are not valid. The picture is fine though right?--Yankees10 16:50, 7 March 2010 (UTC)
Please help with an edit filter problem
I can't figure out what caused this editor to set off the filter. None of the watch words seem to appear in either the lines he added or the whole article before or after. Am I reading the code wrong? Either way, this filter has been set off twice in the past few days, and is very difficult to work with because even false positives are still often controversial edits that I'd be hesitant to add myself. —Soap— 01:22, 8 March 2010 (UTC)
- I figured out the problem. Send me an email if you want a copy of my explanation. -- Gogo Dodo (talk) 04:18, 8 March 2010 (UTC)
- Sigh, I should have looked around some more... Shirik explained the problem exactly on at Misplaced Pages talk:Edit filter#Filter 17. -- Gogo Dodo (talk) 04:21, 8 March 2010 (UTC)
Rich_wiki.jpg
Hi. Can you tell me why Rich_wiki.jpg was deleted from Richard Warren's page? I supplied all the necessary permissions months ago and those permissions still apply. Thanks Cronk69 (talk) —Preceding undated comment added 06:56, 8 March 2010 (UTC).
- Apparently OTRS did not receive your permission. You will want to ask at Commons:COM:OTRSN (I don't have access to OTRS). Wknight94 12:09, 8 March 2010 (UTC)
Request
Can you delete Glenn Murray (1930–40s outfielder), according to this Misplaced Pages:Articles for deletion/Glenn Dale Murray, Sr. it was supposed to be deleted but for some reason never was.--Yankees10 01:02, 10 March 2010 (UTC)
- Thanks--Yankees10 01:10, 10 March 2010 (UTC)
- Yep, done. Odd. I'll ask NW to make sure he didn't leave it for a reason. Wknight94 01:14, 10 March 2010 (UTC)
Thanks
Thanks for the reverts on the Somers, NY page. I didn't see the edits that were made. What happened there? MiracleValerie —Preceding undated comment added 20:23, 10 March 2010 (UTC).
- They were done by a banned user, and therefore were undone. Wknight94 20:34, 10 March 2010 (UTC)
AIV
Hello! I'm have a question concerning AIV (see this diff). I was just wondering why my 74.218.193.178 submission is not applicable here? Thanks if you can explain this to me. Cheers!☮ —Ecw.Technoid.Dweeb | contributions | talk 14:21, 15 March 2010 (UTC)
- Ordinarily, AIV is to stop a current or persistent case of vandalism.
The edits from 74.218.193.178 were around an hour old so it wasn't particularly current.And before that, the previous edits were about six weeks earlier so it wasn't persistent. It's doubtful blocking that IP would have achieved anything. Wknight94 14:31, 15 March 2010 (UTC)- Woops, now I see I forgot to fix my time settings for daylight saving time so I guess the edits were current after all. Still, the edits have ceased so the IP didn't need to be blocked after all. Wknight94 14:34, 15 March 2010 (UTC)
- Thank you for your explanation. Cheers!☮ —Ecw.Technoid.Dweeb | contributions | talk 14:35, 15 March 2010 (UTC)
- Woops, now I see I forgot to fix my time settings for daylight saving time so I guess the edits were current after all. Still, the edits have ceased so the IP didn't need to be blocked after all. Wknight94 14:34, 15 March 2010 (UTC)
Wknight94 (talk | contribs) deleted "EnergyMap.dk"
Dear Wknight94,
I just learned that the page Energymap.dk was deleted due to a G11 violation. ---> 14:45, 6 March 2010 Wknight94 (talk | contribs) deleted "EnergyMap.dk" (G11: Unambiguous advertising or promotion)
We created the page in good faith, it was also the authors first article in Misplaced Pages and it was not our intention to violate any regulations. Of course we want to respect the terms of Misplaced Pages and your deletion also seems rightfully. We hope it would be possible to temporarily restore the article and we will do our best to re-contribute an article in a manner of which is fully on Misplaced Pages terms.
Energymap.dk is a NGO and non-profit organization, and any funding that should be addressed to the project, is put in to the aim and work of keeping the website Energymap.dk running and up to date.
EnergyMap.dk was established when the largest NGO organizations in Denmark, within construction, agriculture and food, energy, wind power and the Renewable Energy Network (part-founder) formed a climate consortium, aiming at facilitating international collaboration in the form of joint research and development opportunities within clean tech, and sharing this knowledge worldwide.
As mentioned, we would very much like to re-contribute the page, in a manner which is on Misplaced Pages terms. It would therefore be highly appreciated if the article is temporarily restored to the EnergyMap user space, enabling a full review of the article, where we will address those problems that led to deletion in the first place.
Would you please temporarily restore our article?
Best regards
EnergyMap (talk) 12:15, 17 March 2010 (UTC)
- Okay, I've restored EnergyMap.dk. You should especially make sure that it meets our notability guidelines, including reliable third-party references. By the way, you may want to change your username since it implies that an entire company is using one account (see m:Role accounts). If I recall correctly, that is how I came across your article to begin with. Good luck. Wknight94 12:56, 17 March 2010 (UTC)
Birth place
I'm all for staying away from that war. When he first sent me the message saying he was removing birth year, I sent him basically the same warning you sent me. It wasn't until I noticed that he was also removing birth place from the opening line of articles that I began reverting edits. That I am certain is wrong. However, your advice is noted, and I will heed it.--Johnny Spasm (talk) 09:55, 23 March 2010 (UTC)
- Again, I'm not even all that concerned about the dates: it's the fact that he has also removed birth places from the opening line that concerns me. That's a new argument that I've never seen before. Have you?--Johnny Spasm (talk) 10:51, 23 March 2010 (UTC)
Ack
|
The Admin's Barnstar | |
| For being a highly active long-timer (on AIV)... and (unlike me) still manage to do even more CSD work. :-) -- Mentifisto 16:20, 23 March 2010 (UTC) |
Ha, thanks! Actually most of my deletions are from WP:BAN enforcement and WP:UAA spam pages. I should do more CAT:CSD work myself... Wknight94 16:31, 23 March 2010 (UTC)
Repeated vandalism of Gary Busey.
209.68.98.89 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log) was blocked a couple of weeks ago, and is right back to vandal edits changing Gary Busey's birthname to nonsense. 98.192.185.110 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log) has also done this at least twice in the last week. May I ask you at least block the first user again, and if you can block the second one I would appreciate it. Should I or someone request a semi-protect of a week or two? This seems to work in getting the IP vandals to lay off. This is so frustrating to me because I use my IP address at work, where I cannot log in. And I see IP vandals repeatedly warned and never dealt with while they continue to ruin Misplaced Pages as a valid source for information. Anyway...I'll shut up now. Any help and/or advice you can provide would be appreciated. Thank you very much. Trista (User Triste Tierra - cannot log in at work) 24.176.191.234 (talk) 19:08, 23 March 2010 (UTC)
Thank you for blocking the first one. AIV just blocked the second one. Trista 24.176.191.234 (talk) 19:33, 23 March 2010 (UTC)
- Yes, I blocked both and protected Gary Busey. Wknight94 19:34, 23 March 2010 (UTC)
BNP
Hi, I was wondering what are the options for the article, one disrupting editor has gone and there are requests to unlock on the talkpage, I have been looking for a better option but nothing has come from that yet and see my objection to unlocking as pretty pointless , one user SlaterStephen supports 1RR , all editors have had a time to calm down, it is time I think to throw it open again, your thought or comment are welcome on the talkpage, regards. Off2riorob (talk) 00:06, 24 March 2010 (UTC)
- I went ahead and unprotected. Try WP:RFPP if things flare up again. Wknight94 00:34, 24 March 2010 (UTC)
- Thanks WK. Off2riorob (talk) 08:35, 24 March 2010 (UTC)
Signpost
This might be of interest: Shall I post it on the project page? ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 03:47, 1 April 2010 (UTC)
- Probably not. There was probably a method to how they chose who they want to interview. You famous folk! Wknight94 11:48, 1 April 2010 (UTC)
Deletion review for Misplaced Pages logo
An editor has asked for a deletion review of Misplaced Pages logo. Because you closed the deletion discussion for this page, speedily deleted it, or otherwise were interested in the page, you might want to participate in the deletion review. ~SuperHamster Talk Contribs 16:39, 1 April 2010 (UTC)
Does this look suspicious to you? user みや東亞
みや東亞 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · page moves · block user · block log)
I could swear that I came across a long term sock account with chinese or japanese characters tagging his own sock accounts earlier today, but I didn't notice the standard LTV name. May be nothing, but since I had remembered your name as one of the blockers of the socks I figured I'd run it past you. Cheers. Syrthiss (talk) 14:27, 14 April 2010 (UTC)
- Nipponese Dog Calvero (talk · contribs) socks do that - repeating old edits and re-tagging his own socks. I am not familiar enough to recognize user:みや東亞 though. Wknight94 14:41, 14 April 2010 (UTC)
- Ok, since I am neither I'll just let it shake out from normal process then. Thanks! Syrthiss (talk) 14:53, 14 April 2010 (UTC)
Are you sure that was Jonathansamuel?
I went on to make the edit, which looked simple enough, but I have no experience with the sockpuppeter and wouldnt know how to spot signs of his editing. The way they waited and made 10 dummy edits does looks suspicious, though, so youre probably right. —Soap— 17:08, 17 April 2010 (UTC)
- Yes, that's what Jonathansamuel does. Becomes autoconfirmed ASAP and then edits one of a couple different pages. It's him. Wknight94 19:13, 17 April 2010 (UTC)
The Improvisatore
Hi. I have been advised I should contact you about this article and its talk page. I have actually already had extended discussions on the subject here. I assumed everything was OK but I have just seen a message that I should contact you. -- Ipigott (talk) 16:26, 21 April 2010 (UTC)
- Where did you see a message? I only see my ID on Zzuuzz's talk page (where you linked), and it looks like the issue was resolved there. Is there more? Wknight94 17:26, 21 April 2010 (UTC)
- It's here. -- Ipigott (talk) 11:17, 22 April 2010 (UTC)
- Oh. No, that just says I deleted the talk page at the time. I don't need to be contacted. You're fine. Wknight94 12:05, 22 April 2010 (UTC)
- Well thanks for telling me I'm fine but the message says very clearly "If you are recreating a page similar to the previously deleted page, or are unsure, please first contact the deleting administrator using the information provided below." I have every reason to suspect that the page I was about to create would be similar or perhaps even identical to the one that was deleted as I wanted to add WikiProject Denmark, etc. But on the basis of what you say, I'll ignore such messages in future. -- Ipigott (talk) 13:18, 22 April 2010 (UTC)
- Oh. No, that just says I deleted the talk page at the time. I don't need to be contacted. You're fine. Wknight94 12:05, 22 April 2010 (UTC)
- It's here. -- Ipigott (talk) 11:17, 22 April 2010 (UTC)
Template:Jeezy
Can you move Template:Jeezy to Template:Young Jeezy. Young Jeezy is his name.--Yankees10 16:00, 25 April 2010 (UTC)
- Thanks--Yankees10 16:29, 25 April 2010 (UTC)
Gift
- Ha ha, sorry! I love WildBot and wish it just automatically checked all articles, but until that happens, I have to summon it one-at-a-time apparently. Wknight94 12:09, 4 May 2010 (UTC)
- Is no problem at all. I just checked my watchlist one last time before clocking in at work, and I had 55 or so new changes from all of the award articles! Thanks for doing that, btw. KV5 (Talk • Phils) 12:48, 4 May 2010 (UTC)
Template policy discussion
You are invited to help consider a common template policy for all WP:SPORTS biography articles at Wikipedia_talk:WikiProject_Sports#Template_policy_discussion.--TonyTheTiger (T/C/BIO/WP:CHICAGO/WP:FOUR) 22:39, 6 May 2010 (UTC)
Iachetta
Iachetta (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Another Liebman sock, or pretending to be. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 23:29, 6 May 2010 (UTC)
Jane Webb article
Hi there. I was going to create an article about voice actor Jane Webb, but it seems that a page entitled "Jane Webb" has already been deleted twice; first by you, then by NawlinWiki.
Was the page you deleted about the same person, or a different one? If the same one, why was it deleted?
Wrightaway (talk) 17:35, 10 May 2010 (UTC)
- They appear to be junk pages - unrelated to each other or any voice actors. (One was about someone's friend, and one was just gibberish). Create away! Wknight94 18:09, 10 May 2010 (UTC)
Deletion review
Hi, Wknight! Just to let you know that a deletion discussion you commented on has been taken to DRV. Those who argued the opposite way to you have already been selectively notified by someone else, so it's only fair that you get the head's-up as well. The relevant page can be found here: Misplaced Pages:Deletion review/Log/2010 May 11#File:The Time of Angels illustrative image.jpg ╟─TreasuryTag►Africa, Asia and the UN─╢ 18:10, 11 May 2010 (UTC)
RFU
Deletion review for Takehiko Bessho
An editor has asked for a deletion review of Takehiko Bessho. Because you closed the deletion discussion for this page, speedily deleted it, or otherwise were interested in the page, you might want to participate in the deletion review. Aphaia (talk) 01:44, 13 May 2010 (UTC)
Re:File:Kovpak.jpg
You can remove this notice at any time by removing the {{Talkback}} or {{Tb}} template.
-FASTILY 04:57, 14 May 2010 (UTC)
Sidor Artemievič Kovpak ancestors on the run for assassination
Me and my brother Sibirian Artjom (named after Sydor's father Artjom) we are the youngest of the four Great grand anserters of Sydor Kovpak. We need help and or life is in danger. My father has made for us a social program this program is of social effort and is the fight to rescue Missing children in the Ukraine in or name! For this we survived assassinations and now we are in a situation that needs attention of all who are involved in Sydor’s vision and heroics acts for the Russian and Ukrainian people.
I ask can you get in contact with us to listen to or story. Or email is 1400heroes@gmail.com and Verrazzo@hotmail.com — Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.61.202.149 (talk) 15:48, 6 August 2011 (UTC)
- Your life is in danger and you came to my Misplaced Pages talk page? You might want to think about that. Wknight94 16:10, 6 August 2011 (UTC)
"Targeting his user space content"
May I just point out that since there was a truly overwhelming consensus that his userspace content was inappropriate, it is scarcely fair to single me out for nominating it? Best, ╟─TreasuryTag►First Secretary of State─╢ 14:22, 1 June 2010 (UTC)
- Wow, looks like you're right - the whole community has turned spiteful and mean against Norton! That's not something to be proud of being part of. Leave the guy alone. Wknight94 15:11, 1 June 2010 (UTC)
- Well, I have to say I am proud of having initiated the deletion of what I42 (talk · contribs) rightly described as, "a gross violation of WP:NOTWEBHOST," but regardless, I think that to single me out for that is unfair, given the 10+ editors who also thought the pages should have been deleted. Or have you made similar statements against them? ╟─TreasuryTag►Woolsack─╢ 15:13, 1 June 2010 (UTC)
- I heard you the first time. Wknight94 15:35, 1 June 2010 (UTC)
- You didn't hear this bit the first time, because I didn't say it... Or have you made similar statements against them? ╟─TreasuryTag►cabinet─╢ 15:36, 1 June 2010 (UTC)
- You feel singled out - I got it. So noted. Maybe now you can imagine how Norton feels? Wknight94 15:43, 1 June 2010 (UTC)
- You didn't hear this bit the first time, because I didn't say it... Or have you made similar statements against them? ╟─TreasuryTag►cabinet─╢ 15:36, 1 June 2010 (UTC)
- I heard you the first time. Wknight94 15:35, 1 June 2010 (UTC)
- Well, I have to say I am proud of having initiated the deletion of what I42 (talk · contribs) rightly described as, "a gross violation of WP:NOTWEBHOST," but regardless, I think that to single me out for that is unfair, given the 10+ editors who also thought the pages should have been deleted. Or have you made similar statements against them? ╟─TreasuryTag►Woolsack─╢ 15:13, 1 June 2010 (UTC)
Persistent unsourced-osity
Could you check this user's activity, when you get a chance? I'd recommend blocking. They've been warned repeatedly, and ignore same. Thanks much.
And btw, if you've not seen on your watchlist, I finally got down to southwest Florida in April and took lotsa pictures. Gorgeous weather the whole 4 day trip. Cheers! --Ebyabe (talk) 18:35, 3 June 2010 (UTC)
- Oh? Is everything from that IP nonsense? I notice some un-reverted edits. I'll have to check your pictures! Wknight94 20:14, 3 June 2010 (UTC)
- Yep, it's all the same, undocumented stuff about the families of these people. Very odd and monomaniacal. The trip was rather roundabout. Here's a link to where I describe the route, so's you know what places to look for photos at. :) --Ebyabe (talk) 00:02, 4 June 2010 (UTC)
Larchmont in popular culture
I see you have deleted the Larchmont in popular culture section from the Larchmont article. This section is comparable to pop culture sections found in other town articles (i.e.) Scarsdale, N.Y. . In fact Scarsdale's list is far longer and ridden with either unsourced claims or claims that are tagged dubious. Why have you decided to pick on Larchmont? Is there a wikipedia policy regarding pop cultural reference sections, because a lot of articles have them. Wlmg (talk) 02:55, 4 June 2010 (UTC)
- That Scarsdale section isn't much better, but at least it includes a few cases where movies were filmed in Scarsdale or set in Scarsdale or something more substantial. Including a list of every time anyone in any show or cartoon strip, etc., mentioned the word "Larchmont" or "Scarsdale" - in any context - is silly. And I am not picking on Larchmont - I only noticed because someone added yet another razor-thin connection. Connections that obscure should be taken out of every article, not just Larchmont. It makes us look like a joke. Wknight94 11:52, 4 June 2010 (UTC)
Rewrite of Albany, New York
Noting your involvement on the Albany, New York article, I'd like to invite you to help out on the rewrite if you're interested; my plan is to bring this to FA status. I also added you on {{maintained}} template; feel free to remove yourself if you don't want to be there, however. upstateNYer 21:20, 4 June 2010 (UTC)
There you go
|
The Socratic Barnstar | |
| Per your comment at the Giano Community Ban thread. Well said. LessHeard vanU (talk) 15:57, 5 June 2010 (UTC) |
- Heh, thanks. If I had infinite free time, I would investigate exactly who started all of the various Giano battles but a.) there are too many to count and b.) I'm scared what I would find. Wknight94 19:03, 5 June 2010 (UTC)
Revision to Sid Meier's Alien Crossfire and Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri articles
I noticed that you have revised either Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri or Sid Meier's Alien Crossfire.
I intend to revise those articles following the Misplaced Pages:WikiProject Video games/Article guidelines. There are more details on the discussion pages of those articles. I'd be interested in any comments you have. It would be best if your comments were on the discussion pages of the two articles.
Thank you.
Vyeh (talk) 16:43, 6 June 2010 (UTC)
Mark Davis
Sorry about the page moving of Mark Davis (NBA) and Mark Davis (1980s NBA player) which contradict the previous WP:RM discussions. I didn't notice about that until after I moved them. But I still think those articles shall be moved and I have started a proper steps for requesting a move in their talk pages. — Martin tamb (talk) 17:44, 11 June 2010 (UTC)
- Yes, thank you. If guidelines are different now, so be it, but a WP:RM should be done at a minimum. Wknight94 18:20, 11 June 2010 (UTC)
Note
A file which you previously commented on has been nominated for deletion – ╟─TreasuryTag►Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster─╢ 08:19, 13 June 2010 (UTC)
Photo of Rameses
Hey mate! I reverted your switch on the Memphis page, because your photo is already shown in the gallery section. You can swap the spots if you want, I just chose the other image because it gave a closeup of the person in question, and because it fitted better in that particular spot. Beyond that, I don't really have a preference. Awesome shot, by the way. Regards, Night w (talk) 01:24, 30 June 2010 (UTC)
- I can see showing a closeup of the person in an article about the person. But the context here is the "colossal" statue, so I thought it would be good to show the colossal'ness of the statue. File:Ramses II colossal statue in Memphis 2010 3.jpg does a good job of that too with people nearby. But you don't get an idea of the size of the statue with the head closeup that is there now. Wknight94 01:41, 30 June 2010 (UTC)
- The section is supposed to be about statues of the person in general, the colossus being one of them. At the moment though, there is only one other statue discussed, which is the one that's supposed to be going into the new museum in Cairo. You can swap the images around and move the closeup to the gallery, but it's only that the rotated version (that's vertically longer) seemed to cut across multiple sections. But what happened with the gallery section and the map? I think my computer's view must be different to yours. Night w (talk) 01:54, 30 June 2010 (UTC)
- The gallery and map look fine now. Previous to my edit, it was the big map left-aligned, then the notes and reference sections crammed into a small column to the right of the map, then the gallery of pictures crammed into another small column to the right of that. It looked the same in Firefox and IE7 on my computer. Maybe because I am running at 1440x900 resolution? It looked bizarre. Wknight94 02:57, 30 June 2010 (UTC)
- Yeah, I'm on a smaller resolution, I think that must be it. Were you going to make the swap with the photos? Or add the one you linked to above (with the feet showing)? Night w (talk) 06:01, 1 July 2010 (UTC)
- No, I've lost interest. You can do what you want. Wknight94 11:01, 1 July 2010 (UTC)
- Yeah, I'm on a smaller resolution, I think that must be it. Were you going to make the swap with the photos? Or add the one you linked to above (with the feet showing)? Night w (talk) 06:01, 1 July 2010 (UTC)
- The gallery and map look fine now. Previous to my edit, it was the big map left-aligned, then the notes and reference sections crammed into a small column to the right of the map, then the gallery of pictures crammed into another small column to the right of that. It looked the same in Firefox and IE7 on my computer. Maybe because I am running at 1440x900 resolution? It looked bizarre. Wknight94 02:57, 30 June 2010 (UTC)
- The section is supposed to be about statues of the person in general, the colossus being one of them. At the moment though, there is only one other statue discussed, which is the one that's supposed to be going into the new museum in Cairo. You can swap the images around and move the closeup to the gallery, but it's only that the rotated version (that's vertically longer) seemed to cut across multiple sections. But what happened with the gallery section and the map? I think my computer's view must be different to yours. Night w (talk) 01:54, 30 June 2010 (UTC)
request deleted article copy
Could you please email or provide a userified copy of the version of Beechwoods Cemetery (New Rochelle, New York) which you recently deleted. Its deletion is disrupting disambiguation structure for cemeteries of this name and similar ones. I already restarted the article but seek to develop it better. thanks. --doncram (talk) 12:20, 2 July 2010 (UTC)
Hey...
Hey, Wknight, I was working on designing a Wiki page (actually my first ever) for a non-profit theater company in my user-page until I would have it worked out enough to then create an actual page...Noticed you deleted it. I understand if you thought I was trying to advertise something in an inappropriate way, but at least if that's the reason, can you give me a solid explanation? And is there anyway to get all of that stuff you deleted back so I can edit it? Yes, I'm noob with this, but...I don't know. MagisterEquitum (talk) 22:40, 12 July 2010 (UTC)
Ok, yeah, I just looked at the Deletion Policies and didn't see any criteria for why a user page would get deleted due to "promotion". Also, just f.y.i., "Promotion" in this case would be "promotion" of a non-profit funded largely in part by Chicago Public Schools. And I'm an unpaid volunteer. So if somehow I violated a rule to such a degree that you needed to just delete everything without notifying me first, I'd love to have that rule pointed out to me. That'd be fantastic, and then I'd happily edit it to make sure I'm not abusing Misplaced Pages's rules. Thanks MagisterEquitum (talk) 22:48, 12 July 2010 (UTC)
Just noticed this in the Deletion Review page:
- "content held in userspace without evidence of intent to work on it may also be nominated for deletion."
You may not have noticed, but at the top of my userpage it said "Very much a work in progress, feel free to edit" because some of the Board Members of the group have a link to it and were going to fact-check to make sure it was correct. Let me know. Thanks. MagisterEquitum (talk) 22:53, 12 July 2010 (UTC)
Ah, after perusing, I see why you deleted my page. G11, or: "Pages that are exclusively promotional, and would need to be fundamentally rewritten to become encyclopedic. Note that simply having a company or product as its subject does not qualify an article for this criterion." That's why I was working on rewriting it. I'd be happy to make my page private OR move it completely off Misplaced Pages until it's Encyclopedic. So, for now, I'd really appreciate having the text back. Thanks. MagisterEquitum (talk) 22:57, 12 July 2010 (UTC)
Just wanted to add that the speedy deletion was without any warning. I was alternating between wikimedia and my user page (as I added photos) and it was gone. Thanks MagisterEquitum (talk) 23:04, 12 July 2010 (UTC)
Thanks. Go ahead and block the MagisterEquitum. Did not realize it was case-sensitive, my mistake. Magisterequitum (talk) 16:35, 13 July 2010 (UTC)
- Okay, it's done. Now people won't get confused, so thank you. Wknight94 16:39, 13 July 2010 (UTC)
deleted article, User:Grigoriu
About the article on GODS FFLV Enterprise Architecture Framework, you have deleted
The reason I put this article in, is because there are similar ones about Enterprise Architecture frameworks which can be equally thought as "advertisement" or products. At least you should have a consistent policy in this respect. It is true that is a Framework I conceived, but it is for the public benefits, as the Common licensing states, and it's for public use as are all other examples of frameworks accepted in your Misplaced Pages: OBASHI, CLEAR Framework for Enterprise Architecture, Information FrameWork (by Roger E), Integrated Architecture Framework (IAF) - from Capgemini, not to mention Zachman which is a framework promoted by a single person after all.
There are categories called Enterprise Architecture Planning, Enterprise Architecture, Enterprise Architecture Assessment framework etc in which my entry is qualified for.
The EA framework is described in a book I published in US and elsewhere. I have at least two reviews of the Enterprise Architecture book, by well known fora as IASA and BPTrends saying that the presented EA framework is valuable.
http://www.bptrends.com/publicationfiles/03-08-BR-Ent-Arch-Grigoriu.pdf
There are documents on the web explaining it. After all this is no product or advertisement but a public concept which has some following. So what are the conditions to be accepted? Public use or knowledge of? This was a promotion for the public benefit not mine because the information becomes public and may not even be referred back to me.
But, in the end, you should have given me (and the article) a chance to explain all this to you before deleting.
I am not even sure that this message will reach you or how will your answer, if any, will reach me. I am not sure how to reach a talk page.
So long
grigoriu@hotmail.co.uk
"Speedy deletion nomination of User:Grigoriu
A tag has been placed on User:Grigoriu, requesting that it be speedily deleted from Misplaced Pages. This has been done under the criteria for speedy deletion, because the article seems to be unambiguous advertising that only promotes a company, product, group, service or person and would need to be fundamentally rewritten in order to become an encyclopedia article. Please read the general criteria for speedy deletion, particularly item 11, as well as the guidelines on spam.
If you can indicate why the subject of this article is not blatant advertising, you may contest the tagging. To do this, please add on the top of User:Grigoriu and leave a note on the article's talk page explaining your position. Please do not remove the speedy deletion tag yourself, but don't hesitate to add information to the article that would help make it encyclopedic, as well as adding any citations from independent reliable sources to ensure that the article will be verifiable. Feel free to leave a note on my talk page if you have any questions about this. Wknight94 talk14:51, 13 July 2010 (UTC)"
Mike Trout
I was just wondering if there was a possibility that you could delete the Mike Trout article for a possible rewrite? It currently re-directs to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim minor league players page, and there isnt much on the page.--Yankees10 18:12, 15 July 2010 (UTC)
- Ok, thank you.--Yankees10 18:38, 15 July 2010 (UTC)
Long-term abuse report on Lemons&Limes
The long-term abuse project is currently being revamped and integrated with the abuse response project to provide a more effective and centralized project to effectively counter long-term vandalism. As part of this cleanup, old inactive reports are being deleted. I see that you updated the report on User:Lemons&Limes back in August 2009, but from what I can see, this user is no longer active. Could you verify that he is no longer active so we can delete the report? Or, if he still is, please help us update the report. Thanks. Note:I'm watching this page, so you can just reply here. Netalarm 13:28, 17 July 2010 (UTC)
- I don't see any recent activity. Wknight94 13:41, 17 July 2010 (UTC)
- Do you think it's been long enough for the report to be deleted? Netalarm 14:12, 17 July 2010 (UTC)
- Along these lines ... Baseball Bugs suggested I ask you if you've seen Ron Liebman active recently, for the same reason (above project and stale reports). He thinks he saw Ron on the ref desk over the weekend. Have you spotted more of him recently? Georgewilliamherbert (talk) 19:48, 19 July 2010 (UTC)
- Last time I was sure it was him was ChiSox20 (talk · contribs) a couple months ago. He's not well, and he's not going anywhere I don't think. I haven't noticed ref desk edits. Wknight94 20:41, 19 July 2010 (UTC)
New York Jets
What is the user writer2.0 up to there? ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 21:57, 23 July 2010 (UTC)
- Splitting into History of the New York Jets hopefully? Wknight94 22:08, 23 July 2010 (UTC)
File:Great Pyramid of Giza 2010.jpg
OK, I am now officially jealous. :) --Ebyabe (talk) 18:36, 25 July 2010 (UTC)
- Heh, yes, it was something. I wish we had more time at the pyramids. We (unknowingly) sacrificed time there in favor of seeing other stuff in the area. Wknight94 19:04, 25 July 2010 (UTC)
71.3.20.47
Since 71.3.20.47 admits to being a sock of Spasm, should it be blocked for the 3 months also? ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 14:28, 28 July 2010 (UTC)
- If that IP starts editing, then yes, let me know. But he appears to be smart enough not to sock around the block. Wknight94 17:08, 28 July 2010 (UTC)
- Truth to tell, at this point I don't know what he's up to. But we'll see. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 17:52, 28 July 2010 (UTC)
Jason Leopold
Someone that may put Ron to shame. Can something be done about this, por favor? A long block might be appropriate, to cool things down. I put in something at the admin noticeboard, but this is rather getting out of hand. Much grass. :) --Ebyabe (talk) 18:18, 30 July 2010 (UTC)
- Wow, that looks like a good one to keep a long way away from. Is there any merit to what he says? Could it really be the subject's lawyer? Wknight94 20:45, 30 July 2010 (UTC)
- Even if there's merit to his claims, he's going about it so the wrong way. I don't blame you for not wanting to get involved in the mess. It looks like the IP has been blocked for a bit, which is good. It amazes me at how obsessive people can be. Like this, for example. Have a good weekend! ;) --Ebyabe (talk) 15:26, 31 July 2010 (UTC)
Notification
Please see Misplaced Pages:Administrators'_noticeboard/Incidents#Proposed_amendment, and the subthreads above it. You are being notified as you were one of the users who proposed or discussed the original sanction. Ncmvocalist (talk) 15:22, 1 August 2010 (UTC)
Please revert the article back to the proper place It may seem strange but the official name is Mt. Cuba Center not Mount Cuba Center also it creates confustion with the Mount Cuba Observatory which is not affiliated with Mt. Cuba Center. I would change it but I am not quite sure how, please e mail me at fvsad@aol.com if you have any questions. Thanks, in advance! —Preceding unsigned comment added by Fvsad (talk • contribs) 19:32, 3 August 2010 (UTC)
Rick Reilly
FYI... I don't recall if you were involved in the Reilly discussion a year or two ago when Tanninglamp (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) kept adding some BLP-violating editorial. Some bozo decided to lift the semi-protection, and a "new" user inserted the very same paragraph today, which I reverted and have asked to have permanent semi-protection restored. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 16:41, 5 August 2010 (UTC)
- Sorry I missed this somehow. Looks like it was sorted out, eh? Wknight94 00:28, 13 August 2010 (UTC)
- Things seem quiet since it was semi'd. And all things considered, I doubt it was Tanninglamp, it was probably that same idiot that likes to copycat other users. I had an apparent Liebman sighting on my page today, but it was probably an imitator. Zapped, either way. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 02:25, 13 August 2010 (UTC)
VortexHealing Page
I wanted to create a page about VortexHealing and noticed you deleted a previous page, so I wanted to ask you if I could create a new page. I'm new, so forgive any mistakes I made typing this.
Scvcat (talk) 22:35, 12 August 2010 (UTC)
- Sure, it's been three years and the main complaint was that the article was so low-quality. Wknight94 00:27, 13 August 2010 (UTC)
Hosiery
Aha! Throwing down the gauntlet, eh? (Or the mitt.) :) ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 15:43, 13 August 2010 (UTC)
Bill Lowrey (musician)
I am happy to rewrite this article, is what was deleted in an archive on Misplaced Pages? I'd like to review the original text. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Scalhotrod (talk • contribs) 18:58, 13 August 2010 (UTC)
- It was mostly a copy of http://www.banjo-rama.com/2009/performers.htm. Wknight94 19:36, 13 August 2010 (UTC)
Right, but not all of it. So can you retrieve it or not? Scalhotrod (talk) 03:11, 14 August 2010 (UTC)
Thank you, much appreciated! Scalhotrod (talk) 22:36, 15 August 2010 (UTC)
Query
Hi. Just curious -- does the finding lead to an extension of the three-month block, or is there no effect on the 3-month blocked account? Thanks.--Epeefleche (talk) 22:43, 18 August 2010 (UTC)
- Next will be an indef if I catch him (again). But otherwise, I am fine with leaving it as-is. Wknight94 23:53, 18 August 2010 (UTC)
- Your call, of course. I guess I would favor some impact myself. Otherwise, we are perhaps sending out a message that an editor -- even one in poor standing, as currently under a block -- can sock, without any impact whatsoever. I'm not sure if that is the message we would want to send. The other issue is that I can already see the appeal of your eventual indef ... "But, the longest block he had was 3 months, without any additional block after that ...". So, I guess I would come out in favor of some additional time, tacked on. But as I said, you're the expert.--Epeefleche (talk) 22:17, 21 August 2010 (UTC)
Protection of Kim Ok-bin.
Hey Wknight, there's been a request for unprotection for this page, just thought I'd check with you first since you semi'd indefinitely though. Is User:InkHeart still using sock accounts? Cheers, · Andonic 16:54, 21 August 2010 (UTC)
- Oh, I don't know. I lost track. Feel free. Wknight94 19:08, 21 August 2010 (UTC)
- Alright, thanks. · Andonic 22:10, 21 August 2010 (UTC)
T.v
Yes, indeed. I wasn't sure at first.
I've deleted, reverted, and blocked. What do you want to do about this (noting the deleted stuff)? --Orlady (talk) 02:08, 25 August 2010 (UTC)
- Looks less proxy'ish than usual, but probably not much point blocking. And the last time I asked for a checkuser in a similar situation, it was refused. Wknight94 02:31, 25 August 2010 (UTC)
- I also didn't think it looked "proxy-ish," but I figured you might see something I couldn't see. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. --Orlady (talk) 03:57, 25 August 2010 (UTC)
Pam Bondi
Thanks for your help on the Pam Bondi article. It looks like people involved in the local politics of Florida are trying to manipulate the article. Chicken Wing (talk) 18:11, 25 August 2010 (UTC)
Another sockpuppet of User:Television Radio
I think 76.217.36.145 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) is yet another sockpuppet of User:Television Radio. He removed the navboxes from Kostner (CTA Congress Line) and California (CTA Congress Line), which from what I've seen on my watchlist is typical of his editing pattern, and the IP's are from the same location as the other IP socks from a few months ago. TheCatalyst31 23:11, 27 August 2010 (UTC)
Protection level of Template:Infobox revolutionary
Hi, can you please lower the protection level of this template? I'm only counting 332 transclusions with AWB, so I'm not seeing a need for full protection. Thanks. PC78 (talk) 12:57, 11 September 2010 (UTC)
Conflict of interest accusation
Hi Wknight94, somebody has posted at the conflict of interest noticeboard about you: Misplaced Pages:COIN#user:_wknight94. Smartse (talk) 09:52, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
- Thank you for letting me know. Wknight94 11:53, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
Misplaced Pages:Pending changes/Straw poll on interim usage
Hi. As you recently commented in the straw poll regarding the ongoing usage and trial of Pending changes, this is to notify you that there is an interim straw poll with regard to keeping the tool switched on or switching it off while improvements are worked on and due for release on November 9, 2010. This new poll is only in regard to this issue and sets no precedent for any future usage. Your input on this issue is greatly appreciated. Off2riorob (talk) 23:53, 20 September 2010 (UTC)
Just curious
Is there some standard period of time after which vandalism reports are overlooked at AIV? VernoWhitney (talk) 13:46, 22 September 2010 (UTC)
- Not that I know of. None of those looked like imminent threats to me. Wknight94 13:49, 22 September 2010 (UTC)
José Morales
I noticed you dab'ing some pages for José Morales, and realized something was up -- there's two baseball players named José Morales. I just moved José Morales (baseball) to José Morales (designated hitter) (the other being José Morales (catcher), and will need to redirect the former to the dab page. Sorry you did all that work for nothing. -Dewelar (talk) 16:50, 26 September 2010 (UTC)
- Okay, thanks. Wknight94 17:06, 26 September 2010 (UTC)
Just thinking
About one thing and another. --Orlady (talk) 18:19, 29 September 2010 (UTC)
In regards to Moomoo531 (talk · contribs) and 193.188.117.66 (talk · contribs · WHOIS)
Thank you for your help with 193.188.117.66 (talk · contribs · WHOIS). I thought you would want to know, I have filed a SPI case on the user. So, if you have any comments, it would be welcome. --Wolfnix • Talk • 18:55, 29 September 2010 (UTC)
Wolfnix has given you a cookie! Cookies promote WikiLove and hopefully this one has made your day better. You can Spread the "WikiLove" by giving someone else a cookie, whether it be someone you have had disagreements with in the past or a good friend.
To spread the goodness of cookies, you can add {{subst:Cookie}} to someone's talk page with a friendly message, or eat this cookie on the giver's talk page with {{subst:munch}}!
L.A. Wrigley
Hard telling where that unsourced comment about Lane and the by-then-deceased Bill Wrigley. It's possible there were issues with P.K. Wrigley, but according to Old Ballparks, an early 1990s book by Lawrence Ritter, Lane moved the Stars team to San Diego in 1936 strictly because he wasn't making money in L.A. The move worked, as the minor league Padres were around for three decades before the "major league" :) Padres came along. The move also came at a fortuitous time for the young Ted Williams. The second incarnation of the Stars came when the Mission Reds gave up trying to compete with the Seals and move south to L.A., where they played one year at Wrigley Field while waiting for Gilmore Field to be built. That second Stars team was owned by Robert Cobb, the originator of the Cobb salad. Operating the Stars as well as the Brown Derby restaurants were certainly Bob's "salad days". :) The shuffling around of the two Stars teams is an interesting subplot in itself. There was a basic core of teams that played in the same place for quite a few decades (the L.A. Angels, the S.F. Seals, the Oakland Oaks, the Portland Beavers, the Seattle Indians/Rainiers) and a few others that were vagabonds. As regards Wrigley Field and Gilmore Field, they were used as backdrops for Hollywood baseball films, so they can be seen today even they were demolished a generation or two ago. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 17:02, 30 September 2010 (UTC)
- Another interesting thing about the PCL was that at its peak, they used to play a season that was over 200 games long, starting in California in like February or March, and working their way north as the weather improved. Also, with a season that long, a team would come into town and play for a week. If a weak team faced a strong team early, it wasn't unusual to have one team start the season 7-0 and their opponent 0-7. That would be brutal. But a number of guys made a living in the PCL, which was "almost" a major league. For the west coasters, that was their main baseball interest. The NL and the AL were only paid attention to when the World Series rolled around. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 17:06, 30 September 2010 (UTC)
- I'm surprised they even paid attention to the World Series when neither league had a team within 1,000 miles, right? Yeah, I bet in California you could pretty much play 365 games per year. Wasn't it L.A. Story where every time they drove by the bank, the sign said 72 degrees? If there is a source for Wrigley Jr. and Lane not getting along, feel free to add that part back in. I did find a reliable'ish book in Google Books saying Lane moved because of the rent. But the two places where it read to me like Wrigley Jr. raised the rent in 1935 ---- three years after he died! ---- definitely needed to be fixed. In searching for a source, I found numerous places that copied that info word-for-word, so now that misleading connection has propagated because of "us". Wknight94 17:23, 30 September 2010 (UTC)
- I think they read it with the same level of interest (or lack thereof) they would have about any other east-coast entertainment item. Maybe your fix will propagate? I made a change to an article recently and went to google and discovered that they had instantly picked up the change. That's how to spread bad information like it was a virus. I've never seen anything that says Lane had a problem with the Wrigley family as such, only that he moved for financial reasons. If he did have problems with the Wrigleys, it was probably over the rent, not over which brand of gum to chew or something. Reading about Lane Field is interesting. It was made of wood, and it sat like half a block from the Pacific Ocean, so with 24x7 exposure to the sea air, its boards were constantly having to be replaced. Lane probably got a volume discount from the nearest lumberyard. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 18:07, 30 September 2010 (UTC)
- I'm surprised they even paid attention to the World Series when neither league had a team within 1,000 miles, right? Yeah, I bet in California you could pretty much play 365 games per year. Wasn't it L.A. Story where every time they drove by the bank, the sign said 72 degrees? If there is a source for Wrigley Jr. and Lane not getting along, feel free to add that part back in. I did find a reliable'ish book in Google Books saying Lane moved because of the rent. But the two places where it read to me like Wrigley Jr. raised the rent in 1935 ---- three years after he died! ---- definitely needed to be fixed. In searching for a source, I found numerous places that copied that info word-for-word, so now that misleading connection has propagated because of "us". Wknight94 17:23, 30 September 2010 (UTC)
Unblock
Thanks for the unblock, I'm not clear if I'm unblocked only to discuss at ANI, or also for normal non-AWB editing. Rich Farmbrough, 20:34, 30 September 2010 (UTC).
- Personally, I'm fine if you simply agree to stop any batch editing as soon as you start getting objections about the edits. But I think people more familiar with you at ANI would like some further concessions regarding batch edits, so you should discuss things with them before any batch editing. As far as non-batch editing, I don't think anyone had objections about that, so feel free. That is my take anyway. Wknight94 20:55, 30 September 2010 (UTC)
- Thanks again. Rich Farmbrough, 21:14, 30 September 2010 (UTC).
Wknight94: Thank you for having the willingness to unblock Rich. Please could you nudge the unblock message on User talk:Rich Farmbrough downwards in the section, to just below the unblock request that got granted ("To join the discussions at ANI.") so that there is no question or doubt in any editors' minds over the purpose for which the unblock was granted. —Sladen (talk) 14:36, 2 October 2010 (UTC)
- Uh, I'm not sure what you're going for there. Feel free to move whatever you want. Wknight94 17:35, 2 October 2010 (UTC)
M Kelly
Good idea! (I agree.) Thanks, Pdfpdf (talk) 14:39, 1 October 2010 (UTC)
- I've merged several like that over the years, and no one has ever complained. So feel free to do the same if you find similar situations. Wknight94 14:50, 1 October 2010 (UTC)
Page move disaster
If you have a moment, can you take a look at SilkTork's recent page moves regarding Arsenal and Arsenal FC? I first noticed this one, because the article Arsenal/Surrealist Subversion is on my watch list. He moved the talk page, but not the article, to a location which simply makes no sense. Looking at his contributions, I see that this was part of a long series of page moves I cannot even begin to attempt to sort out. So, I thought I had better bring this to the attention of an admin. I posted this on Anthony Bradbury's talk page earlier, but he seems to be out. Your thoughts? ---RepublicanJacobiteThe'FortyFive' 23:50, 1 October 2010 (UTC)
- Yeah, quite the mess. Does it look better now? Wknight94 00:21, 2 October 2010 (UTC)
- Yes, it looks like everything is back where it's supposed to be. Cheers! ---RepublicanJacobiteThe'FortyFive' 00:52, 2 October 2010 (UTC)
Another question, if I may, related to the above. Arsenal/Surrealist Subversion is the correct name of the publication, but the forward slash creates problems on WP. On the talk page, it is clear that it is read as a subpage of Talk:Arsenal, though this is not actually the case. I am considering moving the article to a title without the forward slash, just to avoid this problem. Does that sound kosher to you, even though the publication "officially" has the forward slash in its title? Thanks for your time and efforts. ---RepublicanJacobiteThe'FortyFive' 01:38, 2 October 2010 (UTC)
- Hmmm, doesn't seem worth the trouble. What would you move it to anyway? Wknight94 02:23, 2 October 2010 (UTC)
- Putting my two senses in here, the way it is right now may look funny, but it works. It might be worth a footnote in the article explaining why it looks like a subpage. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 04:00, 2 October 2010 (UTC)
- Yeah, I wasn't sure what to move it to, either. The footnote might be a better idea. Thanks. ---RepublicanJacobiteThe'FortyFive' 14:22, 2 October 2010 (UTC)
- Putting my two senses in here, the way it is right now may look funny, but it works. It might be worth a footnote in the article explaining why it looks like a subpage. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 04:00, 2 October 2010 (UTC)
Filter 218
Define overwrought in this context? Rich Farmbrough, 12:18, 2 October 2010 (UTC).
- At the time, the filter system had limited processing power. If the load was too heavy, it would start ignoring edits at random. So while your date filter was consuming much processor time - seemingly for nothing - actual blatant vandalism edits were bypassing the filter. I don't know what the filter situation is these days. Maybe they have changed how it works. Wknight94 13:11, 2 October 2010 (UTC)
- While there is still a condition limit I would have been interested to know how many conditions it was consuming - I'll go back at some point and find out. The filter I recently fixed, for example was consuming 19 and mainly getting false positives. Funnily enough catching up with the X thousand items that filter was designed for was one of the things that got people annoyed. Rich Farmbrough, 19:02, 2 October 2010 (UTC).
- While there is still a condition limit I would have been interested to know how many conditions it was consuming - I'll go back at some point and find out. The filter I recently fixed, for example was consuming 19 and mainly getting false positives. Funnily enough catching up with the X thousand items that filter was designed for was one of the things that got people annoyed. Rich Farmbrough, 19:02, 2 October 2010 (UTC).
Thanks!
I didn't realize that there were multiple Sean O'Sullivan's. Thanks for pointing that out to me. I usually double-check my links, but I apparently didn't that time. Thanks again!
Talkback
Message added 18:19, 4 October 2010 (UTC). You can remove this notice at any time by removing the {{Talkback}} or {{Tb}} template.
Armbrust Contribs 18:19, 4 October 2010 (UTC)
Johnny Spasm
I don't know if you ever read it, but I left you a message on your bullpen account. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.3.20.47 (talk) 13:16, 14 October 2010 (UTC)
- I read it. What I didn't bother telling you was that you were missing the point. A three-month block means a three-month block. It doesn't mean "just abandon that account and continue making the same edits as an IP, while not admitting any wrongdoing on your part". But I didn't expect that you would hear any of it, so I didn't bother. Now that your block has expired, I'll say it - whether you listen or not is up to you. Wknight94 14:15, 14 October 2010 (UTC)
Page moves
Point 4 in Misplaced Pages:Naming conventions (baseball players) says "If they were predominantly associated with different leagues (not including the modern American and National Leagues of Major League Baseball)..." Also I think a dash is preferable to a slash in page names. --Muboshgu (talk) 13:51, 25 October 2010 (UTC)
- That naming convention sucks. Seriously. And I've never seen 1940s-50s anything. Wknight94 14:31, 25 October 2010 (UTC)
- I've never seen it with a slash before either. I think a dash would be more appropriate, no? --Muboshgu (talk) 16:42, 25 October 2010 (UTC)
- I agree that the naming convention sucks. There is no reason that the NL and AL shouldn't be included there. By the by, Wknight, hope that this doesn't mean you're leaving us. — KV5 • Talk • 16:53, 25 October 2010 (UTC)
- I've just had about enough of the narrow-minded thinking from that project. No one is using common sense and, frankly, very few of the people "in charge" there are writing any prose either. I took all the project pages off my watchlist and they can have at it. If Baseball-ref bullpen cited sources, they would be far-and-away the better site as far as baseball coverage. Wknight94 16:59, 25 October 2010 (UTC)
- (edit conflict) A dash is for stating a range. Like 1952-1967. A slash is more of a connector - 1950s/1960s = 1950s and 1960s. In fact, (1950s and 60s baseball) would be better than (1950s-60s baseball) IMHO. Someone once suggested (played 1990-2008) as a disambiguation method. That may be better still. Anything but (born 1968) which is just awful and confusing. When someone sees "born 1968" in the search suggestions, they could think, "as opposed to what? Born 1967? How should I know when he was born?!" At least giving a wider range like 1950s/60s or "played 1990-2008" makes it clearer that it's the correct choice. Wknight94 16:57, 25 October 2010 (UTC)
- En-dashes are also used for disjunction; I'm pretty sure that counts. However, I understand your feelings. I do sympathize strongly, as I don't think we're using all available options before getting to birth year. That being said, I am trying to stay out of the drama over there at WT:MLB. I hope, after a time, that you'll reconsider and bring your considerable skills back to the project. — KV5 • Talk • 17:11, 25 October 2010 (UTC)
- En-dashes, sure, whatever. Anything before the awful "born" disambiguator. That is just a terrible disservice to our readers. Another thing people forget about is that the readers come first. Just because one or two people personally feel a certain way, or are unfamiliar with certain facts, doesn't mean the millions of readers are the same. If only 100 people realize that K-Rod is Venezuelan (and I'm sure plenty more than 100 do - like the thousands upon thousands who are Venezuelan), that is 100 more than the number who know he was born in 1982 vs. 1983. But I closed up that thread at WT:MLB since no one seemed to be hearing me anyway, and kept responding with other irrelevant cases and fears about the future - as though once we change something, it can never ever be changed again. Totally narrow minded and I don't want to be associated. Wknight94 17:26, 25 October 2010 (UTC)
- Understood. If you do change your mind... it's always a pleasure. Cheers. — KV5 • Talk • 17:46, 25 October 2010 (UTC)
- En-dashes, sure, whatever. Anything before the awful "born" disambiguator. That is just a terrible disservice to our readers. Another thing people forget about is that the readers come first. Just because one or two people personally feel a certain way, or are unfamiliar with certain facts, doesn't mean the millions of readers are the same. If only 100 people realize that K-Rod is Venezuelan (and I'm sure plenty more than 100 do - like the thousands upon thousands who are Venezuelan), that is 100 more than the number who know he was born in 1982 vs. 1983. But I closed up that thread at WT:MLB since no one seemed to be hearing me anyway, and kept responding with other irrelevant cases and fears about the future - as though once we change something, it can never ever be changed again. Totally narrow minded and I don't want to be associated. Wknight94 17:26, 25 October 2010 (UTC)
- En-dashes are also used for disjunction; I'm pretty sure that counts. However, I understand your feelings. I do sympathize strongly, as I don't think we're using all available options before getting to birth year. That being said, I am trying to stay out of the drama over there at WT:MLB. I hope, after a time, that you'll reconsider and bring your considerable skills back to the project. — KV5 • Talk • 17:11, 25 October 2010 (UTC)
- I agree that the naming convention sucks. There is no reason that the NL and AL shouldn't be included there. By the by, Wknight, hope that this doesn't mean you're leaving us. — KV5 • Talk • 16:53, 25 October 2010 (UTC)
- I've never seen it with a slash before either. I think a dash would be more appropriate, no? --Muboshgu (talk) 16:42, 25 October 2010 (UTC)
Melky Mesa
Can you please delete the re-direct page Melky Mesa? I'd like to start it from the beginning.--Yankees10 19:51, 2 November 2010 (UTC)
- Thank you.--Yankees10 20:09, 2 November 2010 (UTC)
Gift
|
The Anti-Vandalism Barnstar | |
| For beating me to this block. — KV5 • Talk • 15:10, 5 November 2010 (UTC) |
Heh heh, thanks. Wknight94 15:13, 5 November 2010 (UTC)
User Col98umbus
Hello, You've blocked this user indefinitely for disruptive editing. As far as I can see, there were four edits and this user appears to be Michelle Kaufmann, the subject of the article. She appears to be upset about a possibly serious BLP violation, namely that the article said until very recently that her business went bankrupt, though the source says only that the business closed in an orderly fashion. Closing down does not necessarily mean bankruptcy. So, we have a new user, upset about possible BLP violations, unfamiliar with our policies, banned from editing. I have reached out to her by email. If she agrees to conform with Misplaced Pages policies, I respectfully request that you lift the ban. I will assist her with contributing toward consensus on this article if she wishes. Thank you. Cullen328 (talk) 23:11, 9 November 2010 (UTC)
- If the user agrees not to persistently undo other people's edits without discussion, anyone is free to unblock him/her. Wknight94 03:29, 10 November 2010 (UTC)
Your note at ANI
Vandalism lasting 3/4 of an hours is a drop in the bucket. This edit, was there for four days until an IP blanked it a few minutes ago. Honestly, my gut feeling is that it's getting worse and vandalism is lasting longer. If I don't check my 6000+ (mostly biography) watchlist regularly, unsourced negative info and commentary and drive-by blatant vandalism can sit there for days. So, my commiserations, and I hear you loud and clear regarding pending changes. --Jezebel'sPonyo 21:53, 15 November 2010 (UTC)
- My point - and it was expectedly drowned out - is that the Sandberg vandalism should have set off alarms far and wide. A full 90% of the article was blanked out including all categories. If that's not being caught automatically, how can anything be? Wknight94 22:04, 15 November 2010 (UTC)
- That is so true, similar and worse are happening all around on articles some of them with only a couple of active watchers, it really is time to roll out pending on all BLP articles that are not front-line. The huggle warriors don't want it because they think they are doing ok without it, and doing a review is a thankless job as if you accept it you don't even get an increased edit count. I would just roll it out without consensus as a foundation tool and be done with it, but i'm a bit like that. Regards. ..I think the new version is ready and I thought it is rolling out ttoday or tomorrow but I can't remember where I saw it? Off2riorob (talk) 22:10, 15 November 2010 (UTC)
- If we're serious about specially defending BLP's, it seems like we would want to do that. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 00:57, 16 November 2010 (UTC)
- That is so true, similar and worse are happening all around on articles some of them with only a couple of active watchers, it really is time to roll out pending on all BLP articles that are not front-line. The huggle warriors don't want it because they think they are doing ok without it, and doing a review is a thankless job as if you accept it you don't even get an increased edit count. I would just roll it out without consensus as a foundation tool and be done with it, but i'm a bit like that. Regards. ..I think the new version is ready and I thought it is rolling out ttoday or tomorrow but I can't remember where I saw it? Off2riorob (talk) 22:10, 15 November 2010 (UTC)
Not that the point needs to be driven home, but I just found this bit of vandalism from April that was never comepletely reverted. This is a daily occurance for me. Oh well, I know I'm preaching to the choir here...--Jezebel'sPonyo 03:02, 16 November 2010 (UTC)
Sandberg
I'm ashamed to admit that Ryno is on my watch list but I overlooked that bizarre vandalism. Thanks for fixing. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 23:19, 15 November 2010 (UTC)
- Looks like I was offline during that interval. The vandals never sleep. Hey, what do you think of the idea of creating an extension to rollback rights, that I would call a "temporary block" right, to put a short-term cork in vandalism until an admin can look at it? ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 23:24, 15 November 2010 (UTC)
- I'd prefer the community regain enough sanity to make you an admin. Wknight94 02:00, 16 November 2010 (UTC)
- Even as we speak, Vegas is taking bets on whether that comes first or the next Cubs World Series championship. :) ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 02:25, 16 November 2010 (UTC)
- I'd prefer the community regain enough sanity to make you an admin. Wknight94 02:00, 16 November 2010 (UTC)
Article Deleted...
Hi there,
May I know why my article on (forTANK) was deleted? This is my first wikipedia article ever and it's discouraging to see it being deleted shortly after completion. This is a non-profit academic centre and I'm the deputy head of it.
Could you please send the text back to me (as I don't have another copy) and explain what do I have to do to make it publishable in wikipedia?
http://en.wikipedia.org/List_of_think_tanks_in_the_United_Kingdom
Many thanks
Marv Marv2010 (talk) 12:53, 23 November 2010 (UTC)
- If Wknight94 doesn't mind my doing a bit of talk page stalking, I should say that the text of the article cannot be returned to you, as it is a copyright infringement. However, since you presumably can still access the source from which you copied it, I don't see why you would need it to be returned anyway. In addition, the article was unambiguously promotional, and Misplaced Pages is not a medium for promotion or advertising. JamesBWatson (talk) 12:59, 23 November 2010 (UTC)
- Thank you, JamesBWatson, I agree. The "article" was basically a copy of http://fortank.com. Marv, I would also ask if you've honestly found other articles here that sound like that page: "forTANK is a network of experts coming from various disciplines that are here to provide insight on new forecasting methods....." They are "here"? Where? Misplaced Pages? This "article" was simply a collection of buzzwords that one would find in most any marketing brochure. How about just adding a sentence in Bangor University? Wknight94 13:24, 23 November 2010 (UTC)
I do accept your view that the article needs editing, but I hope you would allow me to explain the following first: a) Re promotional material: forTANK is a NOT-FOR-PROFIT ACADEMIC centre and it's part of Bangor Business School, so the promotional claim is unfounded. b) Re Copyright Infringement: I'm currently the deputy head of the tank and the material I copied is my material. Please see the link here: http://fortank.com/the-tank c) I thought about writing an article on Bangor Business School (as the article doesn't exist) and including more info on forTANK in it, but would I still be able to link it to the list of think tanks in the UK? Thanks Marv —Preceding unsigned comment added by Marv2010 (talk • contribs) 14:52, 23 November 2010 (UTC)
- Can you find significant coverage of forTANK by reliable independent sources? If not, it fails WP:N anyway. Wknight94 15:04, 23 November 2010 (UTC)
I guess if you define significant coverage based on the number of references and citations to the articles of our academics then the answer is yes, as our academics' work have been cited more than 1000+. The number is based on a "reliable and independent source" Harzing’s Publish or Perish software used in November 2010 - Please see http://fortank.com/publications. Hope this is sufficient to verify the notability of our think-tank. Many thanks. Marv —Preceding unsigned comment added by Marv2010 (talk • contribs) 19:17, 23 November 2010 (UTC)
- He's overlooking the obvious signoff mode, which would be, "Many Tanks." ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 19:30, 24 November 2010 (UTC)
I would appreciate a short reply to my previous request please. Thanks. Marv. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Marv2010 (talk • contribs) 17:25, 25 November 2010 (UTC)
- That means the members may be notable. But is the "think tank" itself mentioned in those publications? If not, then having an article for the group itself is not warranted. Wknight94 01:32, 26 November 2010 (UTC)
The think-tank itself is not mentioned in these publications, but can't we argue that the notability of a certain group is the summative notability of its members? If this argument is plausible then forTANK should be as notable as the academics who work in it. Right? Marv —Preceding unsigned comment added by Marv2010 (talk • contribs) 02:33, 26 November 2010 (UTC)
- Pardon yet another talk page stalker here, but, per WP:NOTINHERITED, a groups notability is not inherited "up" from its members, just a a notable groups members are not automatically notable simply by membership in the group. WuhWuzDat 02:59, 26 November 2010 (UTC)
- I concur. Wknight94 03:50, 26 November 2010 (UTC)
- I've posted some comments on Marv2010's talk page explaining some of our policies. I got an email from him, and have responded in detail, helping him (I hope) to understand our policies better, including notability, conflict of interest, reliable sources and copyright. Cullen328 (talk) 05:30, 26 November 2010 (UTC)
- I concur. Wknight94 03:50, 26 November 2010 (UTC)
db-spam reverts private schools Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia
Thanks for your message about your reverts. I did reinstall some of the reverts in the Kuwait schools but I will revert those if not already done so and consider your suggestion of Misplaced Pages:AFD.
Many of these articles are quite plainly advertisements for private schools and if the community can't be relied on to make a common-sense judgement about them then I shall have to take the time to argue a case against them which is tiresome and I would have hoped unnecessary.
Is Misplaced Pages really committed to providing an entry for every school in the world (every church, every community group)? Or just the private ones? Why just the private ones? What are the criteria for making a school notable enough for coverage in an encyclopedia? Notable alumni? Notable contributions to education? Where does encyclopaedic coverage finish and advertisement start? The mention of gradings from commercial publications of the 'Good School' genre? Discussion of the school transport arrangements? Entry requirements? Fees payable? (Examples of all of these readily to be found).
I would have hoped common-sense judgement would have prevailed. Unfortunately not. Meanwhile a very great number of Middle East private schools are using Misplaced Pages as an advertising medium.
I grow increasingly discouraged with the quality and nature of Wikipidia's administration (all sheikhs and no pope one might say).
Nice pyramid. I grew up in Cairo pre-Suez and my first school was the Gezira Preparatory School 81.178.38.169 (talk) 06:21, 25 November 2010 (UTC)
- Added: I have undone my re-reverts except in one case (Gulf English School, Kuwait) which had already been deleted (I asuume by an administator) by the time I returned. I'll look out to see if an appeal is made there and contribute to the debate and see what the decision is before proceeding with the others. Gulf English School was no by no means the worst offender but I don't doubt its article was essentially an advertisement. There was already an advert template there and I'm pretty sure most of the article (save an amusing comment about the price of snacks in the students' canteen) was just a copy-paste of it's brochure.
- Thank you for your time 81.178.38.169 (talk) 06:36, 25 November 2010 (UTC)
- For WP:CSD#G11, the criteria is needing a total rewrite to become encyclopedic. I don't think that was the case for the articles you tagged (including the one that was deleted, which I disagree with). Usually such blatant articles were written recently with poor formatting and no references and no categories, etc. Many of the ones you tagged were originally written years ago, and maybe needed a {{npov}} tag, but not total speedy deletion. As for whether every school needs an article, that depends on who you ask. It is a highly contentious topic since I first arrived here. Wknight94 11:44, 25 November 2010 (UTC)
Joynt Scroll
You made no attempt to discuss the deletion before doing so. I recommend that next time you discuss and gain consensus beforehand. Wipkipkedia (talk) 11:16, 26 November 2010 (UTC)
Perry Tole
Hi! I just thought I should stop by and ask that when denying a G12 when permission has been asserted or an OTRS pending tag has been placed, please remember to blank the article using {{subst:copyvio}} per Misplaced Pages:Copyright violations as oftentimes the permission is unusable or never comes through. Cheers! VernoWhitney (talk) 15:30, 30 November 2010 (UTC)
Would you be interested in being an advisor about a documentary on the Panama Canal?
Hello, I noticed that you have more than ten edits on the Panama Canal article. First of all I would like to say thank you for contributing to Misplaced Pages. Secondly, I am writing to ask you if you would consider participating as an advisor to a group producing a documentary about the canal and its history. If this is of interest to you please drop me a note on my talk page. Thank you for your time. Psingleton (talk) 16:11, 10 December 2010 (UTC)
Protection
The Semi on my user page was MUCH appreciated. Lets hope IP vandal sock fests like that dont happen again. Thanks again! I'm Flightx52 and I approve this message 06:45, 24 December 2010 (UTC)
- My pleasure. Wknight94 13:59, 24 December 2010 (UTC)
Images of Kevorkmail
In the image of User:Kevorkmail had different pictures in my version they are different, so please do not delete my images. ArmOvak (talk) 14:06, 24 December 2010 (UTC)
- Okay, thanks. But I will turn your attention to what I wrote there that this self made. ArmOvak (talk) 19:02, 24 December 2010 (UTC)
- Some pictures are not mine, but those that I have changed, their own. And you can submit a complaint the owners of those photos? ArmOvak (talk) 20:28, 24 December 2010 (UTC)
Marty Lyons
I'm dealing with someone who has ownership issues with Marty Lyons. Care to get involved?
Vandalism of Kevorkmail
Dear Wknight94! User:Kevorkmail, which is now blocked, continues to make changes based on the vandalism. Under the rules of Misplaced Pages's party, which is blocked should not edit a Misplaced Pages article before it was unlocked. User:Kevorkmail be modulated articles based on IP-address 213.130.121.201 Take action, please! ArmOvak (talk) 15:53, 26 December 2010 (UTC)
Travers Island (New York)
Can you cut and paste Travers Island (New York) that was deleted to my user page? --Richard Arthur Norton (1958- ) (talk) 18:11, 31 December 2010 (UTC)
- I really shouldn't. The banned user who kept creating it was known for misusing sources and using unreliable sources, etc. Hence why he was banned. Wknight94 21:01, 31 December 2010 (UTC)
Commons
I finally got around to using the Commons Helper to transfer a file: File:45thParallelMinneapolis.jpg Since you have lots of Commons experience, I wonder if you'd mind checking to see if I did it right and/or suggest a better way to do it? Thank you! ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 01:56, 4 January 2011 (UTC)
- Hey, great to see you made it over there. It's good for when you want a break from the childish drama - as long as you keep a few pages off your watchlist. Yeah, looks like that file is fine. I don't know where all the # characters came from, but no big deal. I see your picture gallery there has some photos of American statues, etc. You'll find statues are often copyrighted works, and the U.S. is not one of the countries that allows for freedom of panorama. Don't get too upset if they get whacked - standards are different here and I can always restore. Wknight94 03:26, 4 January 2011 (UTC)
- I saw that the Stevenson statue was marked for deletion and you copied it back. But is it valid within wikipedia either? I think I took that picture 5 or 6 years ago, and had no idea there was an issue with such. The other one I can think of would be the Floyd Olson statue, which is much older than the Stevenson statue, but for all I know it might be invalid also. Did you see any other statues? Also, I wonder if it would be just as easy to bounce a photo off my PC and just post the commons statement at the original. We'll see how things go. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 03:34, 4 January 2011 (UTC)
- Another possible problem could be the portion of the MTM statue that I uploaded. Again, I wasn't aware of this "freedom of panorama" thing at the time. There's also a painting from the Mall of America, but it has since been painted over, so I doubt anyone cares. The Spoonbridge and Cherry is a sculpture that gets photographed a lot. I don't know what its rules are. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 03:39, 4 January 2011 (UTC)
- I haven't done much image admin work here, but someone told me (or screamed at me if I recall) that en.wp standards are different, and sculptor copyright is rarely considered. But even at Commons, there are exceptions to the exceptions - like if the statue was never copyrighted, or was copyrighted but the copyright wasn't renewed, etc. See Commons:COM:TAGS#United States. The problem with the Stevenson statue is that the sculptor is alive (although he'd likely disagree that that's a problem). Since he can be contacted (http://www.rickharney.com), you could always try to contact him and ask for permission. We even have some templates at Commons:COM:ET for such a request. For older statues, there are resources for trying to determine if it was ever copyrighted and if it was renewed (as required for copyrights in certain date ranges). As for "bounce a photo off my PC", I'm not sure what you mean, sorry... Wknight94 04:09, 4 January 2011 (UTC)
- I mean I would download it from wikipedia and then immediately upload it to commons. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 04:11, 4 January 2011 (UTC)
- Oh sure, that's fine. And as long as license and such is the same, and the file is categorized in Commons, the Misplaced Pages version can be deleted per WP:CSD#I8. Wknight94 04:32, 4 January 2011 (UTC)
- I mean I would download it from wikipedia and then immediately upload it to commons. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 04:11, 4 January 2011 (UTC)
- I haven't done much image admin work here, but someone told me (or screamed at me if I recall) that en.wp standards are different, and sculptor copyright is rarely considered. But even at Commons, there are exceptions to the exceptions - like if the statue was never copyrighted, or was copyrighted but the copyright wasn't renewed, etc. See Commons:COM:TAGS#United States. The problem with the Stevenson statue is that the sculptor is alive (although he'd likely disagree that that's a problem). Since he can be contacted (http://www.rickharney.com), you could always try to contact him and ask for permission. We even have some templates at Commons:COM:ET for such a request. For older statues, there are resources for trying to determine if it was ever copyrighted and if it was renewed (as required for copyrights in certain date ranges). As for "bounce a photo off my PC", I'm not sure what you mean, sorry... Wknight94 04:09, 4 January 2011 (UTC)
- Another possible problem could be the portion of the MTM statue that I uploaded. Again, I wasn't aware of this "freedom of panorama" thing at the time. There's also a painting from the Mall of America, but it has since been painted over, so I doubt anyone cares. The Spoonbridge and Cherry is a sculpture that gets photographed a lot. I don't know what its rules are. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 03:39, 4 January 2011 (UTC)
- I saw that the Stevenson statue was marked for deletion and you copied it back. But is it valid within wikipedia either? I think I took that picture 5 or 6 years ago, and had no idea there was an issue with such. The other one I can think of would be the Floyd Olson statue, which is much older than the Stevenson statue, but for all I know it might be invalid also. Did you see any other statues? Also, I wonder if it would be just as easy to bounce a photo off my PC and just post the commons statement at the original. We'll see how things go. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 03:34, 4 January 2011 (UTC)
- Looking at commons a bit, I've come to realize that my photos are not really of the quality expected there. What's the easiest way to get them deleted? ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 01:16, 15 January 2011 (UTC)
Question Regarding Deletion of Capeeshxz/2Spot Communications
Hi Wknight94: Our teams wiki pages (Capeeshxz/2Spot_Communications, Jfeng15/Bloody_Bunny, Jfeng15/Unsleep_Sheep, Jamayliu/P4_&_the_Escape_Plan) were deleted for reason "G11". We are representing a legitimate company based in Thailand that has entered the US market. All pages were a work-in-progress (and hence created for our wiki user accounts). Could you please provide a better explanation for why our pages were deleted and any advice on how we can construct our page so it is acceptable for Misplaced Pages?
Thank you in advance for your help!
Best — Preceding unsigned comment added by Capeeshxz (talk • contribs) 03:44, 17 January 2011 (UTC)
- You need to include significant independent reliable sources. I will restore the main company page but that needs to be improved and moved into the regular article space, please. There is no point creating the other pages until that happens. Also, for the images, please follow the directions at Commons:COM:OTRS to get your copyright release logged in our system. Wknight94 04:48, 17 January 2011 (UTC)
Hi Wknight94: Thank you for your feedback and for offering to restore the main company page! We will work on referencing independent reliable sources and properly releasing our image copyright into the Wiki Commons system. Again, your help is greatly appreciated and we will work on making our company wiki page solid. Best Regards, Capeeshxz (talk) 05:36, 17 January 2011 (UTC)
Jim Clark
Hey,
I see this page is indefinitely semi-protected. It's been over eighteen months: mind if I give unprotecting it a try? Chris Cunningham (user:thumperward: not at work) - talk 14:06, 17 January 2011 (UTC)
- Fine by me. Watch for Pflanzgarten (talk · contribs) socks. Wknight94 14:12, 17 January 2011 (UTC)
- I'll keep an eye out. Cheers! Chris Cunningham (user:thumperward: not at work) - talk 11:45, 19 January 2011 (UTC)
Template:Lead too short
I'd like to ask you to lower the protection level of Template:Lead too short to semi-protection. Of all the Category:Introduction cleanup maintenance templates it is the only one with full protection. Comparison with the edit history of the other templates in that category, and the fact that most of them are not even semi-protected, leads to think that full protection is not needed here. Debresser (talk) 16:02, 17 January 2011 (UTC)
- By my count, there are over 4,000 articles with this template - maybe double the count of the rest of the unprotected. That seems like too many to downgrade the protection to me. But you can look for another opinion at WP:RFPP. Wknight94 21:54, 17 January 2011 (UTC)
- Which I will do then, with your permission. Thanks for responding. Debresser (talk) 22:09, 17 January 2011 (UTC)
My pictures
Dear Wknight94! The following pictures:
File:Karen Demirchyan Complex2.JPG
File:Map of am.jpg
File:The second new terminal under construction.jpg
File:The second new terminal under construction2.jpg
File:Yerevan metro logo.png
You put up for deletion belong to me, and some were photographed me, please do not delete them. ArmOvak (talk) 16:05, 20 January 2011 (UTC)
- Funny, some were photographed by you? Which ones? Except for the map, you claim all of them were photographed by you. Which is it? Also, I didn't tag all of these for deletion so don't blame just me. And you have been caught uploading photos from the internet so your credibility is dropping, just like Kevorkmail (talk · contribs) whose credibility is near zero (I just caught another one he stole from some web site). Wknight94 16:16, 20 January 2011 (UTC)
- I'm not saying that everything, I said that SOME were photographed me:
- Karen Demirchyan Complex.JPG
- Karen Demirchyan C. JPG
- The second new terminal under construction2.jpg
- Logo Yerevan metro logo.png also created by me.
- I confess that I downloaded from the rest of the Internet, but that does not violate anyone's copyright. ArmOvak (talk) 16:50, 20 January 2011 (UTC)
- What?! Of course that violates someone's copyright! Unless there is something on the web site explicitly saying that they have released the image for free use everywhere, we cannot use it. Wknight94 19:14, 20 January 2011 (UTC)
- Copyrights are violated only if the creator of the file complains that his creation was used without his permission. In our case, some of the pictures that I took from the internet, the author published the pictures in the voluntarily network, which corresponds to the fact that he is not against the use of its files in those other purposes. ArmOvak (talk) 22:34, 20 January 2011 (UTC)
- Wow, where did you get that idea? Seriously. Show me the policy that agrees with that. Wknight94 23:07, 20 January 2011 (UTC)
- What does it mean to show you? It rules, my friend. And politics nothing to do with this. ArmOvak (talk) 07:38, 21 January 2011 (UTC)
- Wow! What original thinking! From totally out of left field! Can I use that, the next time I want to violate copyright? :) ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 14:05, 21 January 2011 (UTC)
- Yes, I'm a bit speechless. And now clearly the rest of ArmOvak's contributions need to be examined very clearly. Wknight94 14:12, 21 January 2011 (UTC)
- For sure. He either doesn't understand English or is pretending not to, as with "policy" and "politics" somehow being equivalent. Maybe Xanderlip could be recruited to write another letter to the WMF. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 14:41, 21 January 2011 (UTC)
- Yes, I'm a bit speechless. And now clearly the rest of ArmOvak's contributions need to be examined very clearly. Wknight94 14:12, 21 January 2011 (UTC)
- Wow! What original thinking! From totally out of left field! Can I use that, the next time I want to violate copyright? :) ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 14:05, 21 January 2011 (UTC)
- What does it mean to show you? It rules, my friend. And politics nothing to do with this. ArmOvak (talk) 07:38, 21 January 2011 (UTC)
- Wow, where did you get that idea? Seriously. Show me the policy that agrees with that. Wknight94 23:07, 20 January 2011 (UTC)
- Copyrights are violated only if the creator of the file complains that his creation was used without his permission. In our case, some of the pictures that I took from the internet, the author published the pictures in the voluntarily network, which corresponds to the fact that he is not against the use of its files in those other purposes. ArmOvak (talk) 22:34, 20 January 2011 (UTC)
- What?! Of course that violates someone's copyright! Unless there is something on the web site explicitly saying that they have released the image for free use everywhere, we cannot use it. Wknight94 19:14, 20 January 2011 (UTC)
- Check this out: ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 15:01, 21 January 2011 (UTC)
- Huh, Baseball Bugs, well, who's fault is it that you do not understand what copyright. ArmOvak (talk) 16:57, 21 January 2011 (UTC)
- You're funny. You have not a clue about copyright rules. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 18:31, 21 January 2011 (UTC)
- I'm funny? Haha, does not make me laugh. What me remains for to do, since you do not read the rules of Misplaced Pages. ArmOvak (talk) 18:50, 21 January 2011 (UTC)
- You're funny. You have not a clue about copyright rules. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 18:31, 21 January 2011 (UTC)
- Huh, Baseball Bugs, well, who's fault is it that you do not understand what copyright. ArmOvak (talk) 16:57, 21 January 2011 (UTC)
- Check this out: ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 15:01, 21 January 2011 (UTC)
- Another in this users strings of copyvios, claiming he owns the copyright to the logo of an airport. WuhWuzDat 17:38, 21 January 2011 (UTC)
- According to the rules of Misplaced Pages this image or logo Zvartnots airport aia.png only consists of typefaces, individual words, slogans, or simple geometric shapes. These are not eligible for copyright alone because they are not original enough, and thus the logo is considered to be in the public domain. See WP:PD#Fonts or Misplaced Pages:Restricted materials for more information.ArmOvak (talk) 19:01, 21 January 2011 (UTC)
- Not sure that is simple enough, but I am encouraged that you have correctly quoted one of our policies. Maybe you could also look at Commons:COM:CB? You'll notice nowhere does it say "it's okay to upload a photo from some web site as long as the owner doesn't complain". More specifically, Commons:COM:CB#Buildings which explains architectural copyright, and Commons:COM:FOP#Armenia for your particular uploads. Wknight94 19:18, 21 January 2011 (UTC)
- I think the oval circle and triangle in the middle is not a complicated the figure. Well, I agree with you on the account to download from the internet, but if it's my picture, the author of this work I, needed to take into account the fact that architects are dead. As I have already said they would now, more than 100 years. And again I repeat, I can give you 1000 photos of the buildings, constructed recently that have been uploaded to Misplaced Pages without the permission of their authors. Therefore, if we consider each such photograph, the result is such that no picture shall be added to Misplaced Pages without the agreement of the architects of those or other buildings. ArmOvak (talk) 05:49, 22 January 2011 (UTC)
- I have heard Misplaced Pages handles photographs of buildings differently than Commons. At Commons they get deleted unless the buildings are in the public domain or the country has freedom of panorama - which Armenia does not. Notice how French building pictures File:Tour-Total.jpg and File:Areva1.jpg are at Misplaced Pages, not Commons, under an unfree fair use license. Also, it doesn't matter if the architects are dead - their work does not pass into public domain until 70 years after they died. Wknight94 14:51, 22 January 2011 (UTC)
- Yes, but this is the case, if first is the art is protected by law, and my photos are not protected by law they are allowed to freely use. Secondly under the laws of the United States reproductions of two-dimensional art objects (paintings, photographs, book illustrations) are not objects of copyright, except, if you create original prints were made creative contributions (eg, the effects of retouching). The same applies to the scanned images. ArmOvak (talk) 18:02, 22 January 2011 (UTC)
- That is all irrelevant in multiple ways. First, your photograph is of a three-dimensional building. Second, the original art objects (paintings, photographs, book illustrations) are still themselves copyrighted, so any reproduction of them could be violating the original artist's copyright. Third, you are quoting United States law, but your photograph is of a building in Armenia, not the United States. Wknight94 18:40, 22 January 2011 (UTC)
- As you can see the original pictures created are me. Their author I am. These photos were taken in Armenia, but is loaded in the English Misplaced Pages. ArmOvak (talk) 08:36, 23 January 2011 (UTC)
- That is all irrelevant in multiple ways. First, your photograph is of a three-dimensional building. Second, the original art objects (paintings, photographs, book illustrations) are still themselves copyrighted, so any reproduction of them could be violating the original artist's copyright. Third, you are quoting United States law, but your photograph is of a building in Armenia, not the United States. Wknight94 18:40, 22 January 2011 (UTC)
- Yes, but this is the case, if first is the art is protected by law, and my photos are not protected by law they are allowed to freely use. Secondly under the laws of the United States reproductions of two-dimensional art objects (paintings, photographs, book illustrations) are not objects of copyright, except, if you create original prints were made creative contributions (eg, the effects of retouching). The same applies to the scanned images. ArmOvak (talk) 18:02, 22 January 2011 (UTC)
- I have heard Misplaced Pages handles photographs of buildings differently than Commons. At Commons they get deleted unless the buildings are in the public domain or the country has freedom of panorama - which Armenia does not. Notice how French building pictures File:Tour-Total.jpg and File:Areva1.jpg are at Misplaced Pages, not Commons, under an unfree fair use license. Also, it doesn't matter if the architects are dead - their work does not pass into public domain until 70 years after they died. Wknight94 14:51, 22 January 2011 (UTC)
- I think the oval circle and triangle in the middle is not a complicated the figure. Well, I agree with you on the account to download from the internet, but if it's my picture, the author of this work I, needed to take into account the fact that architects are dead. As I have already said they would now, more than 100 years. And again I repeat, I can give you 1000 photos of the buildings, constructed recently that have been uploaded to Misplaced Pages without the permission of their authors. Therefore, if we consider each such photograph, the result is such that no picture shall be added to Misplaced Pages without the agreement of the architects of those or other buildings. ArmOvak (talk) 05:49, 22 January 2011 (UTC)
- Not sure that is simple enough, but I am encouraged that you have correctly quoted one of our policies. Maybe you could also look at Commons:COM:CB? You'll notice nowhere does it say "it's okay to upload a photo from some web site as long as the owner doesn't complain". More specifically, Commons:COM:CB#Buildings which explains architectural copyright, and Commons:COM:FOP#Armenia for your particular uploads. Wknight94 19:18, 21 January 2011 (UTC)
- According to the rules of Misplaced Pages this image or logo Zvartnots airport aia.png only consists of typefaces, individual words, slogans, or simple geometric shapes. These are not eligible for copyright alone because they are not original enough, and thus the logo is considered to be in the public domain. See WP:PD#Fonts or Misplaced Pages:Restricted materials for more information.ArmOvak (talk) 19:01, 21 January 2011 (UTC)
Nominal (disambiguation) listed at Redirects for discussion
An editor has asked for a discussion to address the redirect Nominal (disambiguation). Since you had some involvement with the Nominal (disambiguation) redirect, you might want to participate in the redirect discussion (if you have not already done so). Jerzy•t 08:44, 2 February 2011 (UTC)
Abuse filter 18
Hi Wknight94. There's a discussion about reviving edit filter 18 at Misplaced Pages:Edit filter/Requested, and Ruslik0 suggested you might have some insight as to why it was originally disabled. Thanks, 28bytes (talk) 16:04, 25 February 2011 (UTC)
Another ChicagoHistory sock?
Could you possibly take a look at User:Macy Hefner? Thanks. Zagalejo^^^ 05:13, 19 March 2011 (UTC)
- Yep, blocked. Thanks. Wknight94 13:31, 19 March 2011 (UTC)
- One could say he's history. Or to the true historian, he's been "Chicagoed". :) ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 15:36, 19 March 2011 (UTC)
- Just another one needing to learn what "futility" means. Wknight94 15:45, 19 March 2011 (UTC)
- Yup. And in case you weren't aware of this long-obsolete expression, to be "Chicagoed" means to be "shut out". :) ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 15:50, 19 March 2011 (UTC)
- Ha, nice, I hadn't heard that one. That may be changed to New York Mets'ed this year. Methinks it's gonna be a long season. Wknight94 16:08, 19 March 2011 (UTC)
- I have to say that as a lifelong Cubs fan I've never been very fond of the Mets, for reasons that I expect are obvious. But I'm starting to feel sorry for them, or for their fans anyway. Despite their two World Series championships (the last one being 25 years ago), they have seemingly become their own victims of that black cat that they tossed onto the field in a Cubs game at Shea in 1969. When Beltran watched the season go by, taking strike 3 for the last out in the 2006 NLCS, that was almost like a portent of doom. You know well what happened the next year... and subsequent years. Meanwhile, that crosstown team keeps doing well. Every year, I think it's time for these old Yankees to finally have Father Time catch up with them. Somehow they keep winning. Although if they didn't have the Twins to kick around in the post-season, their record might not be as good. :) ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 16:29, 19 March 2011 (UTC)
- Well this is definitely a rebuilding year - maybe just the first of many rebuilding years. Minaya just had terrible luck it seemed - picked up these guys that seemed great on paper but either underperformed or got injured or both. And for the first time in a long time, I think even if they fired on all cylinders all year, they still wouldn't make the playoffs. They're just not that good. And of course with Philly featuring a former all-star and WS MVP as their number four pitcher, the best NYM can hope for is a wild card spot. Gonna be a mess... Maybe I'll root for your Cubs instead! ;) Wknight94 16:42, 19 March 2011 (UTC)
- I had forgotten to mention the alleged involvement by the Mets owner in the Madoff situation, which if true elevates (or lowers) that guy to the Robber Baron realm. On the field, the Philadelphia situation is getting disgusting, and I was quite pleased when the Giants knocked them off in the NLCS - and proceeded to find cracks in the Cliff Lee foundation. If the Giants and Phils square off again this year, the Giants can shrug their shoulders and say, "We already know how to beat all these guys!" But every season is different. Feel free to root for the Cubs, as they need all the help they can get. I get a little tired of hearing how good the future is going to be. Bill Veeck once said that at the end of a five-year plan, all you're going to have is another five-year plan. He was way ahead of his time in many ways, one of which was his approach that "the future is now". In that sense, he was like Steinbrenner, except without the money. The modern approach is to try and load up for the current year, as Veeck tried to do, and as the Phillies and Yankees keep trying to do. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 16:51, 19 March 2011 (UTC)
- Well this is definitely a rebuilding year - maybe just the first of many rebuilding years. Minaya just had terrible luck it seemed - picked up these guys that seemed great on paper but either underperformed or got injured or both. And for the first time in a long time, I think even if they fired on all cylinders all year, they still wouldn't make the playoffs. They're just not that good. And of course with Philly featuring a former all-star and WS MVP as their number four pitcher, the best NYM can hope for is a wild card spot. Gonna be a mess... Maybe I'll root for your Cubs instead! ;) Wknight94 16:42, 19 March 2011 (UTC)
- I have to say that as a lifelong Cubs fan I've never been very fond of the Mets, for reasons that I expect are obvious. But I'm starting to feel sorry for them, or for their fans anyway. Despite their two World Series championships (the last one being 25 years ago), they have seemingly become their own victims of that black cat that they tossed onto the field in a Cubs game at Shea in 1969. When Beltran watched the season go by, taking strike 3 for the last out in the 2006 NLCS, that was almost like a portent of doom. You know well what happened the next year... and subsequent years. Meanwhile, that crosstown team keeps doing well. Every year, I think it's time for these old Yankees to finally have Father Time catch up with them. Somehow they keep winning. Although if they didn't have the Twins to kick around in the post-season, their record might not be as good. :) ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 16:29, 19 March 2011 (UTC)
- Ha, nice, I hadn't heard that one. That may be changed to New York Mets'ed this year. Methinks it's gonna be a long season. Wknight94 16:08, 19 March 2011 (UTC)
- Yup. And in case you weren't aware of this long-obsolete expression, to be "Chicagoed" means to be "shut out". :) ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 15:50, 19 March 2011 (UTC)
- Just another one needing to learn what "futility" means. Wknight94 15:45, 19 March 2011 (UTC)
- One could say he's history. Or to the true historian, he's been "Chicagoed". :) ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 15:36, 19 March 2011 (UTC)
Tony Gwynn
There was a unilateral move of this page, which is now being discussed at Misplaced Pages talk:WikiProject Baseball. Since we might need to have an admin move the page back, perhaps you would also like to comment there? ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 20:09, 19 March 2011 (UTC)
Hi
Hi, Ip 68.14.84.149 has been doing vandalism on the Cheshire, Connecticut, home invasion murders article and Cheshire, Connecticut article for months. He has been blocked twice before, both for vandalism and harassment against me personally. The IP in a sense also vandalised on WP:AN3 and it was reverted, he hadnt done anything correctly in the report. I am suspecting that the IP is also using 76.28.76.154 to vandalize see here. The IP has also done numerous threats and harassing comments to me in the past. and here is the comment removed, totally falsely made. Im so over having to clean up this IPs mess. Thanks for anything you can do.--BabbaQ (talk) 16:35, 21 March 2011 (UTC)
- A number of IPs has also been blocked in connection with the mentioned IP. Which has been used to vandalise the mentioned articles and also in harassing me on my talk page and my front page.--BabbaQ (talk) 16:37, 21 March 2011 (UTC)
- And the users latest edits are in a matter irrelevant as the user is harassing me by in bad faith reporting me to for ones a user and now in some forum here. If it was on good grounds I would take the battle but when its only made in bad faith I have to take actions such as now.--BabbaQ (talk) 16:41, 21 March 2011 (UTC)
- Now it has been confirmed via sources that the IP was wrong about the Mayor in Cheshire. Kuru provided the correct title and source.--BabbaQ (talk) 16:46, 21 March 2011 (UTC)
- What you are looking for is WP:ANI or some such. WP:AIV should not require an admin to look for sources and verify who is correct in a dispute. I just want to see a whole bunch of edits where someone blanks pages and writes "Poop" or "hi" or "Jessica is cool!!!!" Otherwise, WP:AIV gains a gigantic backlog like there was all afternoon. Wknight94 17:04, 21 March 2011 (UTC)
- Now it has been confirmed via sources that the IP was wrong about the Mayor in Cheshire. Kuru provided the correct title and source.--BabbaQ (talk) 16:46, 21 March 2011 (UTC)
- And the users latest edits are in a matter irrelevant as the user is harassing me by in bad faith reporting me to for ones a user and now in some forum here. If it was on good grounds I would take the battle but when its only made in bad faith I have to take actions such as now.--BabbaQ (talk) 16:41, 21 March 2011 (UTC)
Nude park edits
I'm inclined to AGF, at least for now, That travasuns website has been registered since 2009 to Terence Floen, who seems to be a real person. --Orlady (talk) 22:37, 23 March 2011 (UTC)
Holy Apostles Episcopal Church (Satellite Beach, Florida)
Could you look at the recent changes on this? I've been trying to be helpful and diplomatic, but only seem to be partially getting thru. --Ebyabe (talk) 19:18, 1 April 2011 (UTC)
- Sheesh, nothing better than a user with a WP:COI, eh? I'll try to take a look in the next couple days. Wknight94 19:26, 1 April 2011 (UTC)
Reply: Sorry, I am new to wikipedia and I did not know how to reply until now. I am trying to learn the ropes. Anyway, I am not trying to make you mad but I go to the church and I felt the page to be sparce, if you know what I mean. I was just adding more (factual) things to the page. P.S. The "A Brief History of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Apostles" is real. It was a booklet made by the church to celebrate it being 50 years old (as Holy Apostles). Sincerely, A101997 (talk) 17:54, 2 April 2011 (UTC)
Commons, again
Take a look at , , , , , and this category. This one, this one, and this one are new to me, but the others are familiar (and I haven't listed all contributors to that category and related categories). --Orlady (talk) 13:40, 7 April 2011 (UTC)
- I took a machete to some of those. But the ones that are clearly public domain due to age likely have to stay unless you want to make an argument that the given date is a lie (like one I found). Wknight94 14:32, 7 April 2011 (UTC)
- Thanks. It's nice to keep one's dresser drawers well-organized. --Orlady (talk) 14:57, 7 April 2011 (UTC)
Temple Terrace, Florida
Could you look at these well-meaning but unsourced edits, when you gets a chance? Danke. :) --Ebyabe (talk) 19:31, 7 April 2011 (UTC)
- "They" want to remove references to that one guy, fine - I removed the whole paragraph. Like you noticed, the whole article is mostly unreferenced. Wknight94 20:06, 7 April 2011 (UTC)
I would very much like to add the following paragraph, which was deleted (numerous times): "Temple Terrace struggled through the 1930s like the rest of Florida. Building activity began to pick up again after World War II. There is now a collection of mid-century modern homes and buildings, at least one house located on South Riverhills Drive was designed in 1962 by well known architect Frank Albert DePasquale AIA." DePasquale is indeed the architect of the house in Temple Terrace, please review http://www.trianglemodernisthouses.com/depasquale.htm. The site shows the house after it was recently built in 1962, I sent in the recent photo of the house. I am a practicing architect in Tampa and basically created the Temple Terrace wiki site and have been adding to it and revising it for at least 5+ years. I would like to contine adding to it as our history becomes more clear and we learn more. If you could tell me how to do that to your taste, that would be delightful. My email is grimbey@ij.net. I am also one of the co-authors on the recent book mentioned on the Wiki site, I tried to add my name as co-author on Wiki, but that too, was deleted. Again, I hate wasting my time! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.43.90.186 (talk) 22:00, 7 April 2011 (UTC)
The above are my comments, signed, Grant Rimbey, Temple Terrace, Florida. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.43.90.186 (talk) 22:06, 7 April 2011 (UTC)
AN
I've deduced that it's you who's being complained about under the heading of "abusive administrator activity" at AN, concerning Travers Island. I've already raised the Jvolkblum issue. Acroterion (talk) 14:49, 8 April 2011 (UTC)
- Ah, thank you. Wknight94 15:06, 8 April 2011 (UTC)
Gainesville, Florida
I've reverted this commentary, but where should I report this? Of all the people to accuse of being a Gator booster. I had to about fall out of my chair, since I hate all things Gator. I won't even wear orange and blue together. Some folks... :0 --Ebyabe 16:46, 14 April 2011 (UTC)
- Whether you are talking about the blatant POV pushing or completely unsourced content, WP:ANI and/or WP:RFPP should be appropriate. Note the previous blocks and this guy won't be around for long. Wknight94 01:15, 15 April 2011 (UTC)
Speedy deletion nomination of Viartis
A tag has been placed on Viartis, requesting that it be speedily deleted from Misplaced Pages. This has been done under the criteria for speedy deletion, because it is a redirect to an article talk page, file description page, file talk page, MediaWiki page, MediaWiki talk page, category talk page, portal talk page, template talk page, help talk, user page, user talk or special page from the main/article space.
If you can fix the redirect to point to a mainspace page, please do so and remove the speedy deletion tag. However, please do not remove the speedy deletion tag unless you are fixing the redirect. If you think the redirect should be retained as is for some reason, contest the deletion by clicking on the button that looks like this: 
which appears inside of the speedy deletion ({{db-...}}) tag (if no such tag exists, the page is no longer a speedy delete candidate). Doing so will take you to the talk page where you will find a pre-formatted place for you to explain why you believe the page should not be deleted. You can also visit the the article's talk page directly to give your reasons. Feel free to leave a note on my talk page if you have any questions about this. DASHBot (talk) 23:00, 15 April 2011 (UTC)
Perfect game (baseball)
Please move this back to Perfect game. Someone did the B part of BRD and now there's a debate within the D part. The debate really should come after the R part - which I can't do because of the existing redirect page. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 14:51, 27 April 2011 (UTC)
- Oh no, dragging me into hell, eh? ;) I did the next best thing and made a simple redirect from Perfect game to Perfect game (baseball). If someone wants to boldly move the article back, they should be able to now. Wknight94 15:15, 27 April 2011 (UTC)
- Well, that basically puts it back to where it was this morning. I'll trying moving Perfect game (baseball) to Perfect game, and get back to you. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 15:24, 27 April 2011 (UTC)
- Done. I don't understand why I wasn't able to do it before, but it worked this time, after you set thing straight. Thank you! P.S. No, you don't have to get involved any further. Unless things are getting dull in your world. :) I have my hands full just dealing with the argument that Elvis Presley was Jewish. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 15:28, 27 April 2011 (UTC)
- LMAO, there's a sentence you don't hear every day! Yeah, the only way you can move an article over the top of another article is 1.) if there is exactly one line of history for the destination article and 2.) that one line of history is to make the destination article a redirect to the source article. That was not the case for Perfect game when I saw it because it had been moved to Perfect game old and then blanked and then unblanked, etc. Once either 1.) or 2.) is violated, the destination has to be deleted before a move can take place. See WP:MOR. Wknight94 15:47, 27 April 2011 (UTC)
- I was the one who stupidly created the "old", trying to preserve its history, such as it was. So if I had not done that, I could have done the move, right? ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 16:04, 27 April 2011 (UTC)
- Probably. Wknight94 16:20, 27 April 2011 (UTC)
- I was the one who stupidly created the "old", trying to preserve its history, such as it was. So if I had not done that, I could have done the move, right? ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 16:04, 27 April 2011 (UTC)
- LMAO, there's a sentence you don't hear every day! Yeah, the only way you can move an article over the top of another article is 1.) if there is exactly one line of history for the destination article and 2.) that one line of history is to make the destination article a redirect to the source article. That was not the case for Perfect game when I saw it because it had been moved to Perfect game old and then blanked and then unblanked, etc. Once either 1.) or 2.) is violated, the destination has to be deleted before a move can take place. See WP:MOR. Wknight94 15:47, 27 April 2011 (UTC)
- Done. I don't understand why I wasn't able to do it before, but it worked this time, after you set thing straight. Thank you! P.S. No, you don't have to get involved any further. Unless things are getting dull in your world. :) I have my hands full just dealing with the argument that Elvis Presley was Jewish. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 15:28, 27 April 2011 (UTC)
- Well, that basically puts it back to where it was this morning. I'll trying moving Perfect game (baseball) to Perfect game, and get back to you. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 15:24, 27 April 2011 (UTC)
Weather Page
I have added a link to a unique web site called www.worldinfo4me.com which shows worldwide weather per city as well as additional very relevant worldwide information. I would appreciate if you can cancel your last action reverting my changes. Thank you. =) -- User:Easysubs (talk) 28 April 2011 —Preceding unsigned comment added by Eazysubs (talk • contribs) 03:29, 29 April 2011 (UTC)
Article on Machines
I have been trying to improve the article on Machines so it can be used by novices as an entry point to many other outstanding articles in wikipedia. However, the editor Derek farn has a preference for the computer science view of machines and blocks any effort to say that a machine is a mechanical device. Despite my efforts to address his concerns, he simply reverts my edits and accuses me of a narrow focus. I would appreciate your help with this. Prof McCarthy (talk) 21:26, 29 May 2011 (UTC)
Problem with article on Machines
Please take a minute to read the discussion of the article on Machines. It seems our colleague Derek farn has a been making revisions that are introducing errors. He has been doing this for years and I am new, so I need some help. Otherwise, I am sorry to bother you. Prof McCarthy (talk) —Preceding undated comment added 03:20, 31 May 2011 (UTC).
Bradley Cooper
Advise, please, on where to report a problem. Various IPs over the last few days have been adding that he speaks fluent French. This apparently derives in part from an interview (posted on YouTube) for The Hangover II, which he does entirely in French. Others (including myself initially) have removed it as being trivial. So should I request a short-term page block, or try to get it to stay, or what? I'm confusled. No more than normal, I suppose :) --Ebyabe (talk) 23:44, 2 June 2011 (UTC)
- This is what I meant. --Ebyabe (talk) 23:47, 2 June 2011 (UTC)
- I semi-protected for a week. Maybe that will at least get some discussion going. Wknight94 00:27, 3 June 2011 (UTC)
- Good enough. Thanks! Back to uploading photos to Commons. :) --Ebyabe (talk) 00:33, 3 June 2011 (UTC)
- I just got back from Washington, D.C. with hundreds of photos so I need to do the same. Oy. Wknight94 01:02, 3 June 2011 (UTC)
- D.C.? Yep, I bet you got lots of pictures. I have to get up there one of these days. And Commonist isn't working, so I'm having to do mine in batches of 10 at a time. The curse of being a photo nut, what a burden, eh? :) --Ebyabe (talk) 01:08, 3 June 2011 (UTC)
- I've never had luck with Commonist. I stitch together descriptions using good ole fashioned copy and paste. Wknight94 01:32, 3 June 2011 (UTC)
- D.C.? Yep, I bet you got lots of pictures. I have to get up there one of these days. And Commonist isn't working, so I'm having to do mine in batches of 10 at a time. The curse of being a photo nut, what a burden, eh? :) --Ebyabe (talk) 01:08, 3 June 2011 (UTC)
- I just got back from Washington, D.C. with hundreds of photos so I need to do the same. Oy. Wknight94 01:02, 3 June 2011 (UTC)
- Good enough. Thanks! Back to uploading photos to Commons. :) --Ebyabe (talk) 00:33, 3 June 2011 (UTC)
- I semi-protected for a week. Maybe that will at least get some discussion going. Wknight94 00:27, 3 June 2011 (UTC)
Phillips Brooks House Association
Just a heads up as I know you made this article over 4 years ago, but a lot of text from the original version was removed as it was copied and pasted from the organization's website.--NortyNort (Holla) 10:01, 6 June 2011 (UTC)
- Beg pardon. Wrong place. :) --Moonriddengirl 11:47, 6 June 2011 (UTC)
- Whoops, a mistake. My apologies.--NortyNort (Holla) 11:54, 6 June 2011 (UTC)
Question about Stan Robinson page
Just saw that you had deleted a page for Stan Robinson. Was thinking of making one for a person named Stan Robinson, a TV and radio personality from central Ohio. He has been in the business at various stations for over 60 years and was recently inducted into the Associated Press' Broadcaster Hall of Fame. Prior to making the page, wanted to check why you deleted the last one and if it was even for the same person.
Thanks, Eclectic15 (talk) 18:35, 7 June 2011 (UTC)
- Wow, ancient history. It was a completely different person so have at it. Wknight94 18:58, 7 June 2011 (UTC)
Killebrew picture
Thanks. I'm seeing if I can get the article to FAC by month's end, hopefully that goes over well. I might remove the template, though I had a burst of a lack of rl matters, so i was able to get things done due to that. That'll probably end soon. Wizardman Operation Big Bear 20:41, 17 June 2011 (UTC)
JFK grave pictures
Terrific pictures. - Tim1965 (talk) 13:17, 22 June 2011 (UTC)
- Thanks. Imagine if I had a decent lens? Wknight94 14:35, 22 June 2011 (UTC)
Deleted Page/Copyright Infringement
Hey The page that I just posted for the Oncology Journal was flagged for copyright infringement because it was too similar to the 'about us' page on the journal's site. To contest the deletion I had to email and prove that I work for the company and am in the process of creating a series of pages for the journal. I will cite the appropriate facts and the like, but I just want to know when the post will be available again? Thanks — Preceding unsigned comment added by Artestani13 (talk • contribs) 21:37, 28 June 2011 (UTC)
- You e-mailed to OTRS I assume? If so, whoever handles your e-mail will likely deal with it. They are often backlogged so please be patient. In the meantime, you may want to read through WP:N and make sure you can show that the world has taken "significant enough notice" in your subjects. Include independent reliable sources, etc. Thank you. Wknight94 00:59, 29 June 2011 (UTC)
Red Links
Taking dispute to WP:OTHERSTUFFEXISTS talk page. Might take awhile to get noticed as talk page is not very active. Edkollin (talk) 22:32, 28 June 2011 (UTC)
1960s
You may recall that the dominance of pitchers peaked in 1968, when Denny McLain and Bob Gibson went nuts statistically. However, that dominance didn't seem to bother the truly great sluggers like Harmon, Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, etc. etc. Like the time Killebrew hit some "dominant" Detroit pitcher's best stuff over the left field roof at Tiger Stadium. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 03:41, 2 July 2011 (UTC)
- I guess it was too general a statement for my tastes, esp. with no source. Then I find this chart which shows that there were a few lean years for offense during Killebrew's days, but pitching in the early 60s looks anything but dominant. Too bold and general a claim to not have a source, esp. in a WP:FAC. Wknight94 10:39, 2 July 2011 (UTC)
- It's no accident that the Yankees' sluggers went nuts in the expansion year of 1961. They were an intact team facing watered-down pitching. By 1963 things were starting to change, at least among the elite. The old Yankees couldn't hardly hit a loud foul off the Dodgers' pitching corps in 1963. And so it went through the decade. But you're right that it's too general a statement. Your Mets staff, for example, didn't exactly dominate in the early 60s, it was more like surviving. (Like I should talk, as the Mets were the only thing keeping the Cubs out of the cellar.) By the end of the decade, the Mets had found some fair-to-middlin' moundsmen. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 10:54, 2 July 2011 (UTC)
- Yeah, Seaver, Ryan - they were okay if you're into that sorta thing. ;) Five decades later and things look familiar. Now you have the .Colt 45s - or whatever they're calling the Houston team nowadays - keeping the Cubbies out of the basement. Thank God for 1962 expansion! Wknight94 11:04, 2 July 2011 (UTC)
- Things were so bad in 1962 that the Cubs finished behind expansion Houston, but nobody came close to topping (or bottoming) the Mets, who won a nice and neat 25 percent of their games, somehow. Of the 1961-62 expansion teams, all 4 have won pennants, 2 have won World Series... and the Cubs still haven't done a thing since 1945. >:( ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 11:15, 2 July 2011 (UTC)
- The Cubs got somewhat better in 1964, but there was this one particular day in May when the Mets really had the Cubs' number. Now, look at this box score, and for extra credit, tell me what's remarkable about that game (other than the score) and which would never happen today. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 11:18, 2 July 2011 (UTC)
- (edit conflict) Someone - maybe you - told me a '62 Mets story about Marvelous Marv Throneberry getting a rare triple, only to be called out for missing second base. When he started to argue, he was told, "don't bother - you missed first base too!" One of my favorite stories! Yeah, a guy I know is finally ready to renounce his lifetime Cub fan membership. They've pretty much ruined baseball for him. It must be hard to watch when they're not even progressing in the right direction. I always marvel at the record of the Philadelphia Phillies in the Babe Ruth era - an entire generation of losing records, with the only exception being a single season a whole two games over .500. But the Cubs sadness really does take the cake. Wknight94 11:33, 2 July 2011 (UTC)
- For that 1964 game, first thing that jumps out at me is the Mets' Charley Smith swinging for the fences in the 9th inning with his team up 16-1! I think that would earn you a beaning for sure today - and maybe back then too. Wknight94 11:33, 2 July 2011 (UTC)
- Yeh, imagine that. That's rubbing it in. But what caught my attention is that Jack Fisher pitched the entire game for the Mets. They were ahead 9-1 in the 5th, and 13-1 in the 7th. You'd think they would have pulled him and put in a reliever. Although it just occurred to me that Casey might have thought his bullpen was, in fact, capable of giving up more than 10 runs in the last few innings, and maybe that's why he left Fisher in. But there's no way that would happen today, unless the guy was pitching a perfect game or something. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 14:11, 2 July 2011 (UTC)
- The one consolation for Phillies fans is that they could go 5 blocks west and watch a good team if they wanted to. Which reminds me, check out the Shibe Park article. It's had lots of additions and updates in recent weeks. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 14:12, 2 July 2011 (UTC)
- Well, the complete game is a thing of the past, regardless of the score. Compare 2009, when the co-NL leaders had 4 CGs, to 1980 when Rick Langford had 28 all by himself! It's a lost art. Wknight94 14:53, 2 July 2011 (UTC)
- The one consolation for Phillies fans is that they could go 5 blocks west and watch a good team if they wanted to. Which reminds me, check out the Shibe Park article. It's had lots of additions and updates in recent weeks. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 14:12, 2 July 2011 (UTC)
- Yeh, imagine that. That's rubbing it in. But what caught my attention is that Jack Fisher pitched the entire game for the Mets. They were ahead 9-1 in the 5th, and 13-1 in the 7th. You'd think they would have pulled him and put in a reliever. Although it just occurred to me that Casey might have thought his bullpen was, in fact, capable of giving up more than 10 runs in the last few innings, and maybe that's why he left Fisher in. But there's no way that would happen today, unless the guy was pitching a perfect game or something. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 14:11, 2 July 2011 (UTC)
- For that 1964 game, first thing that jumps out at me is the Mets' Charley Smith swinging for the fences in the 9th inning with his team up 16-1! I think that would earn you a beaning for sure today - and maybe back then too. Wknight94 11:33, 2 July 2011 (UTC)
- (edit conflict) Someone - maybe you - told me a '62 Mets story about Marvelous Marv Throneberry getting a rare triple, only to be called out for missing second base. When he started to argue, he was told, "don't bother - you missed first base too!" One of my favorite stories! Yeah, a guy I know is finally ready to renounce his lifetime Cub fan membership. They've pretty much ruined baseball for him. It must be hard to watch when they're not even progressing in the right direction. I always marvel at the record of the Philadelphia Phillies in the Babe Ruth era - an entire generation of losing records, with the only exception being a single season a whole two games over .500. But the Cubs sadness really does take the cake. Wknight94 11:33, 2 July 2011 (UTC)
- The Cubs got somewhat better in 1964, but there was this one particular day in May when the Mets really had the Cubs' number. Now, look at this box score, and for extra credit, tell me what's remarkable about that game (other than the score) and which would never happen today. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 11:18, 2 July 2011 (UTC)
- Things were so bad in 1962 that the Cubs finished behind expansion Houston, but nobody came close to topping (or bottoming) the Mets, who won a nice and neat 25 percent of their games, somehow. Of the 1961-62 expansion teams, all 4 have won pennants, 2 have won World Series... and the Cubs still haven't done a thing since 1945. >:( ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 11:15, 2 July 2011 (UTC)
- Yeah, Seaver, Ryan - they were okay if you're into that sorta thing. ;) Five decades later and things look familiar. Now you have the .Colt 45s - or whatever they're calling the Houston team nowadays - keeping the Cubbies out of the basement. Thank God for 1962 expansion! Wknight94 11:04, 2 July 2011 (UTC)
- It's no accident that the Yankees' sluggers went nuts in the expansion year of 1961. They were an intact team facing watered-down pitching. By 1963 things were starting to change, at least among the elite. The old Yankees couldn't hardly hit a loud foul off the Dodgers' pitching corps in 1963. And so it went through the decade. But you're right that it's too general a statement. Your Mets staff, for example, didn't exactly dominate in the early 60s, it was more like surviving. (Like I should talk, as the Mets were the only thing keeping the Cubs out of the cellar.) By the end of the decade, the Mets had found some fair-to-middlin' moundsmen. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 10:54, 2 July 2011 (UTC)
Re: Killebrew under oath
I clarified it on the page a bit. He was serving as a prosecution witness for a court case (the specifics I couldn't find), and apparently someone in the defense was a baseball fan, since they asked about the upcoming season. Most of the info is in the ref. Wizardman Operation Big Bear 16:07, 2 July 2011 (UTC)
- Did another search in the timeframe and found something this time: that should note everything. I'll add that stuff to the article, since the story behind the suit is actually really interesting, I don't know why it was hidden to begin with. Wizardman Operation Big Bear 16:19, 2 July 2011 (UTC)
Award
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The Order o'Shea |
| I hereby award you this award for maintaining high quality standards no matter how they Yank you around. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 08:49, 5 July 2011 (UTC) |
- Ha, well thank you very much! Wknight94 12:12, 5 July 2011 (UTC)
Soft Drink
Hi, I noticed that you removed my amendment to the Soft Drink page, where I stated that Soft Drinks can also be called Juice. In Scotland, Soft drinks like Coke, Pepsi, Dr Pepper, Lemonade etc would usually be referred to as a juice. You would very rarely hear someone call them a can of pop or a fizzy drink. These terms would more commonly be heard in England.
Here's a link to a blog entry by someone who has moved to Scotland talking about this very subject:
http://www.tartanmisu.com/?cat=7
I'll reinstate the amendment, if you need any further evidence that it's a commonly used term, let me know and I'll send you some links.
Thanks,
Gavin — Preceding unsigned comment added by 155.136.80.81 (talk) 13:20, 4 August 2011 (UTC)
- That's fine. It would be nice to have better evidence than some guy's blog, but it's even nicer that you put it later in the list this time. Having it first in the list is not real appropriate if Scotland is the only place where it's called that. So I will leave it as you have it now. Thanks. Wknight94 13:50, 4 August 2011 (UTC)
Request
Is it possible that you can delete the Nathan Eovaldi re-direct so that I can start it from the beginning?--Yankees10 23:52, 5 August 2011 (UTC)
- Done. Enjoy. Wknight94 23:54, 5 August 2011 (UTC)
- Thanks--Yankees10 23:55, 5 August 2011 (UTC)
Can you also delete the Brad Peacock and Shelby Miller ones?--Yankees10 16:58, 26 August 2011 (UTC)
- Done. Wknight94 17:55, 26 August 2011 (UTC)
- Thank you--Yankees10 18:14, 26 August 2011 (UTC)
User:74.82.64.16
I have a request for unblock on unblock-en-l, and I can forward them to ACC and they can still get an account, but I was wondering about the block itself. The IP is not a proxy, it's for Blackberry and it's a Mobile Phone ISP. Now I know that a checkuser confirmed that he is editing from those types of networks, that is probably a lot more dynamic and 1 year for a block seems a little excessive. Beyond that I don't see the link to the sock you mentioned, could you possibly explain that? Thanks, -- DQ (t) (e) 13:56, 17 August 2011 (UTC)
- I'm not Wknight94, but I know the story. That sockmaster has registered hundreds of sockpuppet accounts (over several years) and has edited on a diverse variety of anonymous IPs -- both open proxies and legal IPs from multiple ISPs, including a lot of Blackberry IPs. The April 2011 edits from this IP that led to the blocking were clearly duck-work. I agree with unblocking that particular Blackberry IP, since our old "friend" probably doesn't have access to it any more, but it would be far more efficient for the user who requested the unblock to get an account. --Orlady (talk) 14:14, 17 August 2011 (UTC)
- Yep, I will recommend that, if Wknight doesn't object, I will unblock it. -- DQ (t) (e) 15:43, 17 August 2011 (UTC)
- Sounds fine, thanks. Wknight94 18:37, 17 August 2011 (UTC)
- Yep, I will recommend that, if Wknight doesn't object, I will unblock it. -- DQ (t) (e) 15:43, 17 August 2011 (UTC)
Censorship
please stop deleting well souced material. The toddler incident is in all the news. ] You can check what happened yourself. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Wangleetodd (talk • contribs) 11:04, 18 October 2011 (UTC) It is not a single event. At least two events were mentioned. The wu wei is important concept in chinese philosophy and culture, and this is one consequence. There are many examples of this - while it may not be suitable to list them all, there is also a need to present BOTH positive and negative aspects of issues in wikipedia.
You labeled my edits as vandalism, which they are clearly not. If you have your POV agenda, and try to supress and censor other views, than do you think you need to do this by bullying people into submission? Are you a Chinese goverment censor who infiltrated wikipedia?
Do not remove full sections of valid, referenced material without discussion. Do not label edits that you disagree with as vandalism. If you have POV issues with some parts of what was said, put it to the talk page, regarding bits that you disagree, instead of blanking full sections - blanking sections is vandalism, not adding information with referecnces, even if you think it has NPOV issues. Do not bully other users.
Rules apply to you too - you seem to think that since you have power to ban people, you can bully and censor whoever you want to supress information you (and Chinese goverment officials) do not like. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Wangleetodd (talk • contribs) 11:18, 18 October 2011 (UTC)
Uncivility, bullying, POV pushing
Your sysop bullying is outrageous. Certainly there must be a place here (and I will find it) to complain about rogue sysops who disobey rules. You abuse warning systems (the warnings you issue are against the policy), are uncivil to outsider editors, and most likely abuse your other power too. I will file a complaint to the relevant noticeboard. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Wangleetodd (talk • contribs) 11:31, 18 October 2011 (UTC)
Blocked
{{unblock|reason=Your reason here ~~~~}}, but you should read the guide to appealing blocks first.During a dispute, you should first try to discuss controversial changes and seek consensus. If that proves unsuccessful, you are encouraged to seek dispute resolution, and in some cases it may be appropriate to request page protection.
Nyttend (talk) 12:15, 18 October 2011 (UTC)
- You must be kidding. Are you really saying that you don't recognize those edits as blatant WP:POV trolling?! I'm speechless. Wknight94 12:24, 18 October 2011 (UTC)
- Oh yeh, they are tenditious, and the content looks immediately problematic & POV. But that is not vandalism --Errant 12:41, 18 October 2011 (UTC)
It seems like some of the admins are getting block-happy. Shall I file a complaint at WP:ANI? ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 12:47, 18 October 2011 (UTC)
- No thank you. This is feeling like a final sign that my time here is done. This place has really gone to the trolls. Wknight94 12:52, 18 October 2011 (UTC)
- I see they've unblocked you. I thought the block I got last week was stupid, but this one was beyond stupid. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 14:40, 18 October 2011 (UTC)
- Don't go-go. But maybe take a break. I dunno about where you are, but the weather down here in Florida promises to be amazing in the next few days. I'm heading down to St. Pete for the weekend. If nothing else, to experience this "outside" that everyone keeps talking about. Relax, take a ramble around Lake Okeechobee, that's the ticket. Just don't permanently depart in this fashion. --‖ Ebyabe - Border Town ‖ 15:39, 18 October 2011 (UTC)
- Seconded. FYI I put you on my watchlist after our exchange at Talk:Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000. I hope it was helpful. Jesanj (talk) 17:53, 18 October 2011 (UTC)
- @Jesanj, yes, it was, thank you. I confess I didn't investigate much further past what is there, but I plan to when I get more time. Wknight94 18:28, 18 October 2011 (UTC)
- @Ebyabe, thanks. It would be nice to know this place still had some common sense left, but it's really hard to tell lately. The drama has really taken over. Wknight94 18:35, 18 October 2011 (UTC)
- Seconded. FYI I put you on my watchlist after our exchange at Talk:Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000. I hope it was helpful. Jesanj (talk) 17:53, 18 October 2011 (UTC)
- Don't go-go. But maybe take a break. I dunno about where you are, but the weather down here in Florida promises to be amazing in the next few days. I'm heading down to St. Pete for the weekend. If nothing else, to experience this "outside" that everyone keeps talking about. Relax, take a ramble around Lake Okeechobee, that's the ticket. Just don't permanently depart in this fashion. --‖ Ebyabe - Border Town ‖ 15:39, 18 October 2011 (UTC)
- I see they've unblocked you. I thought the block I got last week was stupid, but this one was beyond stupid. ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 14:40, 18 October 2011 (UTC)
- Incident under discussion at Misplaced Pages:Administrators'_noticeboard#Abusive_sysop. Personally I don't like the edits, or the reversion without discussion, or the block. Three wrongs don't make a right. --GRuban (talk) 14:33, 18 October 2011 (UTC)
A barnstar for you!
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|
The Anti-Vandalism Barnstar |
| For your work against vandalism with Igloo! It takes extreme reflexes to beat you to the rollback button. pluma Ø 01:35, 19 October 2011 (UTC) |
Note 2
I sent you a test e-mail. :) ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 11:48, 19 October 2011 (UTC)
- I responded. Wknight94 12:42, 19 October 2011 (UTC)
- Back at ya. :) ←Baseball Bugs carrots→ 13:09, 19 October 2011 (UTC)
re File:Inimagead.png
I think this does have a rationale, except it got trashed in a spate of edit-warring. I can't figure out how to get back to the original version of the file's associated text, though. Mangoe (talk) 21:23, 19 October 2011 (UTC)
- Responded at WP:FFD. Wknight94 21:25, 19 October 2011 (UTC)
Talkback
Message added 01:51, 20 October 2011 (UTC). You can remove this notice at any time by removing the {{Talkback}} or {{Tb}} template.
pluma Ø 01:51, 20 October 2011 (UTC)
Talkback
Message added 02:08, 20 October 2011 (UTC). You can remove this notice at any time by removing the {{Talkback}} or {{Tb}} template.
pluma Ø 02:08, 20 October 2011 (UTC)
Annabelle
I see my edits to All Dogs Go to Heaven and All Dogs Go to Heaven 2 were not seen as constructive. Why is it not constructive to tell the world about Annabelle, the absolute best character in the franchise? It doesn't to the movie descriptions justice to fail to describe just how wonderful Annabelle is. (And Sasha!) Your thoughts? --71.203.94.83
A cookie for you!
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Hello Wknight94! I hope you enjoy this cookie as an amicable greeting from a fellow Wikipedian, SwisterTwister talk 03:43, 20 October 2011 (UTC) |
Why thank you. Wknight94 03:44, 20 October 2011 (UTC)
A barnstar for you!
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The Special Barnstar |
| For removing vandalism from pages on my watchlist! Gilderien Talk|Contribs 20:24, 20 October 2011 (UTC) |
Thank you! Wknight94 20:49, 20 October 2011 (UTC)
FU
u just reverted my amazing addition to ur caillou article
Homosexuality is romantic and/or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same sex; "it also refers to an individual's sense of personal and social identity based on those attractions, behaviors expressing them, and membership in a community of others who share them."
Homosexuality is one of the three main categories of sexual orientation, along with bisexuality and heterosexuality, within the heterosexual-homosexual continuum (with asexuality sometimes considered the fourth). The consensus of the behavioral and social sciences as well as the health and mental health professions is that homosexuality is a normal human sexual orientation. It is not a mental disorder, and is not in itself a source of negative psychological effects. Prejudice against homosexual and bisexual people, by contrast, has been shown to have such effects. In spite of this, some religious sects and "ex-gay" organizations hold the view that homosexual activity is a sinful or dysfunctional behavior. Contrary to mainstream scientific understanding, some of these sects and organizations characterize it as a "choice".
The most common terms for homosexual people are lesbian for women and gay for men, though gay is also used to refer generally to homosexual men and women. The number of people who identify as gay or lesbian—and the proportion of people who have same-sex sexual experiences—are difficult for researchers to estimate reliably for a variety of reasons. In the modern West, according to major studies, 2% to 13% of the population is homosexual or has had some form of same-sex sexual contact within his or her lifetime. A 2006 study suggested that 20% of the population anonymously reported some homosexual feelings, although relatively few participants in the study identified themselves as homosexual. Homosexual behavior is also widely observed in animals.
Many gay and lesbian people are in committed same-sex relationships, though only recently have census forms and political conditions facilitated their visibility and enumeration. These relationships are equivalent to heterosexual relationships in essential psychological respects. Homosexual relationships and acts have been admired, as well as condemned, throughout recorded history, depending on the form they took and the culture in which they occurred. Since the end of the 19th century, there has been a movement towards increased visibility, recognition and legal rights for homosexual people, including the rights to marriage and civil unions, adoption and parenting, employment, military service, and equal access to health care.
Contents 1 Etymology 1.1 Synonyms 1.2 Kinsey scale 2 Sexuality and gender identity 2.1 Sexual orientation, identity, behavior 2.1.1 Sexual identity development: "coming-out process" 2.2 Gender identity 2.3 Social construct 2.4 Same-sex romance and relationships 3 Demographics 4 Psychology 5 Etiology 5.1 Lesbian narratives and awareness of their sexual orientation 5.2 Sexual orientation change efforts 5.3 Fluidity of orientation 5.3.1 Gender and fluidity 6 Parenting 7 Health 7.1 Physical 7.1.1 Public health 7.2 Mental 7.3 Gay and lesbian youth 8 History 8.1 Africa 8.2 Americas 8.3 East Asia 8.4 Europe 8.5 Middle East, South and Central Asia 8.6 South Pacific 9 Law, politics, society and sociology 9.1 Legality 9.1.1 Sexual orientation and the law 9.1.1.1 United States 9.1.1.2 European Union 9.2 Political activism 9.3 Relationships 9.4 Military service 9.5 Religion 9.6 Heterosexism and homophobia 9.7 Violence against gay and lesbian people 10 Homosexual behavior in animals 11 See also 12 Notes 13 References 13.1 Books 13.2 Journal articles 13.3 Online articles 14 External links
EtymologyMain article: Terminology of homosexuality
Zephyrus and Hyacinthus Attic red-figure cup from Tarquinia, 480 BC (Boston Museum of Fine Arts)The word homosexual is a Greek and Latin hybrid with the first element derived from Greek ὁμός homos, 'same' (not related to the Latin homo, 'man', as in Homo sapiens), thus connoting sexual acts and affections between members of the same sex, including lesbianism. Gay generally refers to male homosexuality, but may be used in a broader sense to refer to all LGBT people. In the context of sexuality, lesbian refers only to female homosexuality. The word "lesbian" is derived from the name of the Greek island Lesbos, where the poet Sappho wrote largely about her emotional relationships with young women.
Many modern style guides in the U.S. recommend against using homosexual as a noun, instead using gay man or lesbian. Similarly, some recommend completely avoiding usage of homosexual as it has a negative, clinical history and because the word only refers to one's sexual behavior (as opposed to romantic feelings) and thus it has a negative connotation. Gay and lesbian are the most common alternatives. The first letters are frequently combined to create the initialism LGBT (sometimes written as GLBT), in which B and T refer to bisexual and transgender people.
The first known appearance of homosexual in print is found in an 1869 German pamphlet by the Austrian-born novelist Karl-Maria Kertbeny, published anonymously, arguing against a Prussian anti-sodomy law. In 1879, Gustav Jager used Kertbeny's terms in his book, Discovery of the Soul (1880). In 1886, Richard von Krafft-Ebing used the terms homosexual and heterosexual in his book Psychopathia Sexualis, probably borrowing them from Jager. Krafft-Ebing's book was so popular among both layman and doctors that the terms "heterosexual" and "homosexual" became the most widely accepted terms for sexual orientation.
As such, the current use of the term has its roots in the broader 19th-century tradition of personality taxonomy.
Although early writers also used the adjective homosexual to refer to any single-sex context (such as an all-girls' school), today the term is used exclusively in reference to sexual attraction, activity, and orientation. The term homosocial is now used to describe single-sex contexts that are not specifically sexual. There is also a word referring to same-sex love, homophilia.
SynonymsSome synonyms include men who have sex with men or MSM (used in the medical community when specifically discussing sexual activity), homoerotic (referring to works of art), heteroflexible (referring to a person who identifies as heterosexual, but occasionally engages in same-sex sexual activities), and metrosexual (referring to a non-gay man with stereotypically gay tastes in food, fashion, and design). Pejorative terms in English include queer, faggot, fairy, poof, and homo. Beginning in the 1990s, some of these have been reclaimed as positive words by gay men and lesbians, as in the usage of queer studies, queer theory, and even the popular American television program Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. The word homo occurs in many other languages without the pejorative connotations it has in English. As with ethnic slurs and racial slurs, however, the misuse of these terms can still be highly offensive; the range of acceptable use depends on the context and speaker. Conversely, gay, a word originally embraced by homosexual men and women as a positive, affirmative term (as in gay liberation and gay rights), has come into widespread pejorative use among young people.
Kinsey scaleMain article: Kinsey scale The Kinsey scale attempts to describe a person's sexual history or episodes of their sexual activity at a given time. It uses a scale from 0, meaning exclusively heterosexual, to 6, meaning exclusively homosexual.
Sexuality and gender identitySexual orientation, identity, behaviorMain articles: Sexual orientation, Sexual orientation identity, and Sexual behaviour See also: Situational sexual behavior The American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the National Association of Social Workers identify sexual orientation as "not merely a personal characteristic that can be defined in isolation. Rather, one's sexual orientation defines the universe of persons with whom one is likely to find the satisfying and fulfilling relationships":
Sexual orientation is commonly discussed as a characteristic of the individual, like biological sex, gender identity, or age. This perspective is incomplete because sexual orientation is always defined in relational terms and necessarily involves relationships with other individuals. Sexual acts and romantic attractions are categorized as homosexual or heterosexual according to the biological sex of the individuals involved in them, relative to each other. Indeed, it is by acting—or desiring to act—with another person that individuals express their heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality. This includes actions as simple as holding hands with or kissing another person. Thus, sexual orientation is integrally linked to the intimate personal relationships that human beings form with others to meet their deeply felt needs for love, attachment, and intimacy. In addition to sexual behavior, these bonds encompass nonsexual physical affection between partners, shared goals and values, mutual support, and ongoing commitment. Sexual identity development: "coming-out process"Main article: Coming out Many people who feel attracted to members of their own sex have a so-called "coming out" at some point in their lives. Generally, coming out is described in three phases. The first phase is the phase of "knowing oneself", and the realization emerges that one is open to same-sex relations. This is often described as an internal coming out. The second phase involves one's decision to come out to others, e.g. family, friends, and/or colleagues. The third phase more generally involves living openly as an LGBT person. In the United States today, people often come out during high school or college age. At this age, they may not trust or ask for help from others, especially when their orientation is not accepted in society. Sometimes their own families are not even informed.
According to Rosario, Schrimshaw, Hunter, Braun (2006), "the development of a lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) sexual identity is a complex and often difficult process. Unlike members of other minority groups (e.g., ethnic and racial minorities), most LGB individuals are not raised in a community of similar others from whom they learn about their identity and who reinforce and support that identity. Rather, LGB individuals are often raised in communities that are either ignorant of or openly hostile toward homosexuality."
Outing is the practice of publicly revealing the sexual orientation of a closeted person. Notable politicians, celebrities, military service people, and clergy members have been outed, with motives ranging from malice to political or moral beliefs. Many commentators oppose the practice altogether, while some encourage outing public figures who use their positions of influence to harm other gay people.
Gender identityThe earliest writers on a homosexual orientation usually understood it to be intrinsically linked to the subject's own sex. For example, it was thought that a typical female-bodied person who is attracted to female-bodied persons would have masculine attributes, and vice versa. This understanding was shared by most of the significant theorists of homosexuality from the mid-19th century to early 20th century, such as Karl Heinrich Ulrichs, Richard von Krafft-Ebing, Magnus Hirschfeld, Havelock Ellis, Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud, as well as many gender variant homosexual people themselves. However, this understanding of homosexuality as sexual inversion was disputed at the time, and through the second half of the 20th century, gender identity came to be increasingly seen as a phenomenon distinct from sexual orientation.
Transgender and cisgender people may be attracted to men, women or both, although the prevalence of different sexual orientations is quite different in these two populations (see sexual orientation of transwomen). An individual homosexual, heterosexual or bisexual person may be masculine, feminine, or androgynous, and in addition, many members and supporters of lesbian and gay communities now see the "gender-conforming heterosexual" and the "gender-nonconforming homosexual" as negative stereotypes. However, studies by J. Michael Bailey and K.J. Zucker have found that a majority of gay men and lesbians report being gender-nonconforming during their childhood years. Richard C. Friedman, in Male Homosexuality published in 1990, writing from a psychoanalytic perspective, argues that sexual desire begins later than the writings of Sigmund Freud indicate, not in infancy but between the ages of 5 and 10 and is not focused on a parent figure but on peers. As a consequence, he reasons, homosexual men are not abnormal, never having been sexually attracted to their mothers anyway.
Social constructFurther information: Queer theory Because a homosexual orientation is complex and multi-dimensional, some academics and researchers, especially in Queer studies, have argued that it is a historical and social construction. In 1976 the historian Michel Foucault argued that homosexuality as an identity did not exist in the 18th century; that people instead spoke of "sodomy", which referred to sexual acts. Sodomy was a crime that was often ignored but sometimes punished severely (see sodomy law).
The term homosexual is often used in European and American cultures to encompass a person's entire social identity, which includes self and personality. In Western cultures some people speak meaningfully of gay, lesbian, and bisexual identities and communities. In other cultures, homosexuality and heterosexual labels do not emphasize an entire social identity or indicate community affiliation based on sexual orientation. Some scholars, such as David Green, state that homosexuality is a modern Western social construct, and as such cannot be used in the context of non-Western male-male sexuality, nor in the pre-modern West.
Same-sex romance and relationshipsMain article: Same-sex relationship People with a homosexual orientation can express their sexuality in a variety of ways, and may or may not express it in their behaviors. Many have sexual relationships predominately with people of their own gender identity, though some have sexual relationships with those of the opposite gender, bisexual relationships, or none at all (celibate). Research indicates that many lesbians and gay men want, and succeed in having, committed and durable relationships. For example, survey data indicate that between 40% and 60% of gay men and between 45% and 80% of lesbians are currently involved in a romantic relationship. Survey data also indicate that between 18% and 28% of gay couples and between 8% and 21% of lesbian couples in the U.S. have lived together ten or more years. Studies have found same-sex and opposite-sex couples to be equivalent to each other in measures of satisfaction and commitment in romantic relationships, that age and gender are more reliable than sexual orientation as a predictor of satisfaction and commitment to a romantic relationship, and that people who are heterosexual or homosexual share comparable expectations and ideals with regard to romantic relationships.
DemographicsMain article: Demographics of sexual orientation Reliable data as to the size of the gay and lesbian population are of value in informing public policy. For example, demographics would help in calculating the costs and benefits of domestic partnership benefits, of the impact of legalizing gay adoption, and of the impact of the U.S. military's Don't Ask Don't Tell policy. Further, knowledge of the size of the "gay and lesbian population holds promise for helping social scientists understand a wide array of important questions—questions about the general nature of labor market choices, accumulation of human capital, specialization within households, discrimination, and decisions about geographic location."
Measuring the prevalence of homosexuality may present difficulties. The research must measure some characteristic that may or may not be defining of sexual orientation. The class of people with same-sex desires may be larger than the class of people who act on those desires, which in turn may be larger than the class of people who self-identify as gay/lesbian/bisexual.
In 1948 and 1953, Alfred Kinsey reported that nearly 46% of the male subjects had "reacted" sexually to persons of both sexes in the course of their adult lives, and 37% had had at least one homosexual experience. Kinsey's methodology was criticized. A later study tried to eliminate the sample bias, but still reached similar conclusions.
Estimates of the occurrence of exclusive homosexuality range from one to twenty percent of the population, usually finding there are slightly more gay men than lesbians.
Estimates of the frequency of homosexual activity also vary from one country to another. A 1992 study reported that 6.1% of males in Britain had had a homosexual experience, while in France the number was 4.1%. According to a 2003 survey, 12% of Norwegians have had homosexual sex. In New Zealand, a 2006 study suggested that 20% of the population anonymously reported some homosexual feelings, few of them identifying as homosexual. Percentage of persons identifying homosexual was 2–3%. According to a 2008 poll, while only 6% of Britons define their sexual orientation as homosexual or bisexual, more than twice that number (13%) of Britons have had some form of sexual contact with someone of the same sex.
In the United States, according to exit polling on 2008 Election Day for the 2008 Presidential elections, 4% of electorate self-identified as gay, lesbian, or bisexual, the same percentage as in 2004." According to the 2000 United States Census there were about 601,209 same-sex unmarried partner households.
In the UK, the UK Office for National Statistics survey have come up with the figure that 1.5% are gay or bisexual, and suggest that this is in line with other surveys showing between 0.3% and 3%.
PsychologyMain article: Homosexuality and psychology
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Psychology was one of the first disciplines to study a homosexual orientation as a discrete phenomenon. The first attempts to classify homosexuality as a disease were made by the fledgling European sexologist movement in the late 19th century. In 1886 noted sexologist Richard von Krafft-Ebing listed homosexuality along with 200 other case studies of deviant sexual practices in his definitive work, Psychopathia Sexualis. Krafft-Ebing proposed that homosexuality was caused by either "congenital inversion" or an "acquired inversion". In the last two decades of the 19th century, a different view began to predominate in medical and psychiatric circles, judging such behavior as indicative of a type of person with a defined and relatively stable sexual orientation. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, pathological models of homosexuality were standard.
The American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the National Association of Social Workers state:
“ In 1952, when the American Psychiatric Association published its first Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, homosexuality was included as a disorder. Almost immediately, however, that classification began to be subjected to critical scrutiny in research funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. That study and subsequent research consistently failed to produce any empirical or scientific basis for regarding homosexuality as a disorder or abnormality, rather than a normal and healthy sexual orientation. As results from such research accumulated, professionals in medicine, mental health, and the behavioral and social sciences reached the conclusion that it was inaccurate to classify homosexuality as a mental disorder and that the DSM classification reflected untested assumptions based on once-prevalent social norms and clinical impressions from unrepresentative samples comprising patients seeking therapy and individuals whose conduct brought them into the criminal justice system. In recognition of the scientific evidence, the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from the DSM in 1973, stating that "homosexuality per se implies no impairment in judgment, stability, reliability, or general social or vocational capabilities." After thoroughly reviewing the scientific data, the American Psychological Association adopted the same position in 1975, and urged all mental health professionals "to take the lead in removing the stigma of mental illness that has long been associated with homosexual orientations." The National Association of Social Workers has adopted a similar policy.
Thus, mental health professionals and researchers have long recognized that being homosexual poses no inherent obstacle to leading a happy, healthy, and productive life, and that the vast majority of gay and lesbian people function well in the full array of social institutions and interpersonal relationships.
”
The research and clinical literature demonstrate that same-sex sexual and romantic attractions, feelings, and behaviors are normal and positive variations of human sexuality. The longstanding consensus of the behavioral and social sciences and the health and mental health professions is that homosexuality per se is a normal and positive variation of human sexual orientation. There is now a large body of research evidence that indicates that being gay, lesbian or bisexual is compatible with normal mental health and social adjustment. The World Health Organization's ICD-9 (1977) listed homosexuality as a mental illness; it was removed from the ICD-10, endorsed by the Forty-third World Health Assembly on May 17, 1990. Like the DSM-II, the ICD-10 added ego-dystonic sexual orientation to the list, which refers to people who want to change their gender identities or sexual orientation because of a psychological or behavioral disorder (F66.1). The Chinese Society of Psychiatry removed homosexuality from its Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders in 2001 after five years of study by the association. According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists "This unfortunate history demonstrates how marginalisation of a group of people who have a particular personality feature (in this case homosexuality) can lead to harmful medical practice and a basis for discrimination in society. There is now a large body of research evidence that indicates that being gay, lesbian or bisexual is compatible with normal mental health and social adjustment. However, the experiences of discrimination in society and possible rejection by friends, families and others, such as employers, means that some LGB people experience a greater than expected prevalence of mental health difficulties and substance misuse problems. Although there have been claims by conservative political groups in the USA that this higher prevalence of mental health difficulties is confirmation that homosexuality is itself a mental disorder, there is no evidence whatever to substantiate such a claim."
Most lesbian, gay, and bisexual people who seek psychotherapy do so for the same reasons as heterosexual people (stress, relationship difficulties, difficulty adjusting to social or work situations, etc.); their sexual orientation may be of primary, incidental, or no importance to their issues and treatment. Whatever the issue, there is a high risk for anti-gay bias in psychotherapy with lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients. Psychological research in this area has been relevant to counteracting prejudicial ("homophobic") attitudes and actions, and to the LGBT rights movement generally.
The appropriate application of affirmative psychotherapy is based on the following scientific facts:
Same-sex sexual attractions, behavior, and orientations per se are normal and positive variants of human sexuality; in other words, they are not indicators of mental or developmental disorders. Homosexuality and bisexuality are stigmatized, and this stigma can have a variety of negative consequences (e.g., minority stress) throughout the life span (D'Augelli & Patterson, 1995; DiPlacido, 1998; Herek & Garnets, 2007; Meyer, 1995, 2003). Same-sex sexual attractions and behavior can occur in the context of a variety of sexual orientations and sexual orientation identities (Diamond, 2006; Hoburg et al., 2004; Rust, 1996; Savin-Williams, 2005). Gay men, lesbians, and bisexual individuals can live satisfying lives as well as form stable, committed relationships and families that are equivalent to heterosexual relationships in essential respects (APA, 2005c; Kurdek, 2001, 2003, 2004; Peplau & Fingerhut, 2007). There are no empirical studies or peer-reviewed research that support theories attributing same-sex sexual orientation to family dysfunction or trauma (Bell et al., 1981; Bene, 1965; Freund & Blanchard, 1983; Freund & Pinkava, 1961; Hooker, 1969; McCord et al., 1962; D. K. Peters & Cantrell, 1991; Siegelman, 1974, 1981; Townes et al., 1976). EtiologyMain articles: Biology and sexual orientation and Environment and sexual orientation The American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, and National Association of Social Workers stated in 2006:
“ Currently, there is no scientific consensus about the specific factors that cause an individual to become heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual—including possible biological, psychological, or social effects of the parents' sexual orientation. However, the available evidence indicates that the vast majority of lesbian and gay adults were raised by heterosexual parents and the vast majority of children raised by lesbian and gay parents eventually grow up to be heterosexual. ”
The Royal College of Psychiatrists stated in 2007:
“ Despite almost a century of psychoanalytic and psychological speculation, there is no substantive evidence to support the suggestion that the nature of parenting or early childhood experiences play any role in the formation of a person's fundamental heterosexual or homosexual orientation. It would appear that sexual orientation is biological in nature, determined by a complex interplay of genetic factors and the early uterine environment. Sexual orientation is therefore not a choice. ”
The American Academy of Pediatrics stated in Pediatrics in 2004:
“ Sexual orientation probably is not determined by any one factor but by a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental influences. In recent decades, biologically based theories have been favored by experts. Although there continues to be controversy and uncertainty as to the genesis of the variety of human sexual orientations, there is no scientific evidence that abnormal parenting, sexual abuse, or other adverse life events influence sexual orientation. Current knowledge suggests that sexual orientation is usually established during early childhood. ”
The American Psychological Association states "there are probably many reasons for a person's sexual orientation and the reasons may be different for different people", and says most people's sexual orientation is determined at an early age. Research into how sexual orientation in males may be determined by genetic or other prenatal factors plays a role in political and social debates about homosexuality, and also raises fears about genetic profiling and prenatal testing.
Professor Michael King states: "The conclusion reached by scientists who have investigated the origins and stability of sexual orientation is that it is a human characteristic that is formed early in life, and is resistant to change. Scientific evidence on the origins of homosexuality is considered relevant to theological and social debate because it undermines suggestions that sexual orientation is a choice."
Innate bisexuality (or predisposition to bisexuality) is a term introduced by Sigmund Freud, based on work by his associate Wilhelm Fliess, that expounds that all humans are born bisexual but through psychological development—which includes both external and internal factors—become monosexual, while the bisexuality remains in a latent state.
The authors of a 2008 study stated "there is considerable evidence that human sexual orientation is genetically influenced, so it is not known how homosexuality, which tends to lower reproductive success, is maintained in the population at a relatively high frequency". They hypothesized that "while genes predisposing to homosexuality reduce homosexuals' reproductive success, they may confer some advantage in heterosexuals who carry them". Their results suggested that "genes predisposing to homosexuality may confer a mating advantage in heterosexuals, which could help explain the evolution and maintenance of homosexuality in the population". A 2009 study also suggested a significant increase in fecundity in the females related to the homosexual people from the maternal line (but not in those related from the paternal one).
Garcia-Falgueras and Swaab state in the abstract of their 2010 study, "The fetal brain develops during the intrauterine period in the male direction through a direct action of testosterone on the developing nerve cells, or in the female direction through the absence of this hormone surge. In this way, our gender identity (the conviction of belonging to the male or female gender) and sexual orientation are programmed or organized into our brain structures when we are still in the womb. There is no indication that social environment after birth has an effect on gender identity or sexual orientation."
Lesbian narratives and awareness of their sexual orientationLesbians often experience their sexuality differently from gay men, and have different understandings about etiology from those derived from studies focused mostly on men. For information specific to female homosexuality, see Lesbian.
In a U.S.-based 1970s mail survey by Shere Hite, lesbians self-reported their reasons for being lesbian. This is the only major piece of research into female sexuality that has looked at how women understand being homosexual since Kinsey in 1953. The research yielded information about women's general understanding of lesbian relationships and their sexual orientation.
Women talked about social conditioning, which made it "almost impossible for me to have a truly healthy sexual relationship with a man". Another woman stated that because of their conditioning "omen are much more sensitive to other people's needs", and so "ex is better with women physically and emotionally", stating she preferred the symmetries of power and aesthetic between women. Some talked about preferring women, "ersonally, I like girls better, they are more tender and loving", and some went into how they found that emotional relationships with women were more satisfying than those with men, with women making more creative and versatile lovers. One woman reported it was easier for her "to give myself emotionally to a woman". A woman who had been a lesbian for two years said she found that sexual relationships with women were more pleasurable on both psychological and physical levels than with men; this was "because the women I've had sex with have been my friends first, which was never the case with men. Being friends sets up a trust that I think is essential for satisfying physical intimacy. Relating to another woman physically seems to me like the most natural thing in the world. You've already got a head start on knowing how to give her pleasure. Gentleness seems to be the key, and is the main difference between relating to men and women.'" Women talked about women making better sexual partners and that was a dominant theme: "I find women better lovers; they know what a woman wants and most of all there is an emotional closeness that can never be matched with a man. More tenderness, more consideration and understanding of feelings, etc." This was because men were perceived as unliberated "sexually or emotionally or any other way", and lesbianism was perceived "as an alternative to abstinence" and to men generally. Men were perceived as usually juvenile, while a relationship with women was described as "more of a communion with self". Sex as well as relationships with women were seen as a way of achieving independence from men; "ex with a woman means independence from men." Male sexual performance was another problem, "wenty minutes for a man, at least an hour with a woman, usually more", as well as attention to the sexual needs of women who themselves "seem to have a more sustained energy level after orgasm, and are more likely to know and do something about it if I'm not satisfied". One understanding of the difference was that sex with women "is not an 'exchange' or a 'trade' or services", and not focused on orgasm, with "more kissing and holding" and "more concern for my pleasure", which was experienced as liberating. Sex with women was also seen as a political act; "I see lesbianism as putting all my energies (sexual, political social, etc.) into women. Sex is a form of comfort and to have sex indiscriminately with males is to give them comfort.".
Hite is more concerned with what respondents say than quantifiable data. She found the two most significant differences between respondents' experience with men and women were the focus on clitoral stimulation, and more emotional involvement and orgasmic responses. Since Hite carried out her study she has acknowledged that some women may have chosen the political identity of a lesbian. Julie Bindel, a UK journalist, reaffirmed that "political lesbianism continues to make intrinsic sense because it reinforces the idea that sexuality is a choice, and we are not destined to a particular fate because of our chromosomes." as recently as 2009.
Sexual orientation change effortsMain article: Sexual orientation change efforts There are no studies of adequate scientific rigor to conclude whether recent sexual orientation change efforts do work to change a person's sexual orientation. Those efforts has been controversial due to tensions between the values held by some faith-based organizations, on the one hand, and those held by lesbian, gay, and bisexual rights organizations and professional and scientific organizations, on the other. The longstanding consensus of the behavioral and social sciences and the health and mental health professions is that homosexuality per se is a normal and positive variation of human sexual orientation. The American Psychological Association says that "most people experience little or no sense of choice about their sexual orientation". Some individuals and groups have promoted the idea of homosexuality as symptomatic of developmental defects or spiritual and moral failings and have argued that sexual orientation change efforts, including psychotherapy and religious efforts, could alter homosexual feelings and behaviors. Many of these individuals and groups appeared to be embedded within the larger context of conservative religious political movements that have supported the stigmatization of homosexuality on political or religious grounds.
No major mental health professional organization has sanctioned efforts to change sexual orientation and virtually all of them have adopted policy statements cautioning the profession and the public about treatments that purport to change sexual orientation. These include the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, American Counseling Association, National Association of Social Workers in the USA, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and the Australian Psychological Society. The American Psychological Association and the Royal College of Psychiatrists expressed concerns that the positions espoused by NARTH are not supported by the science and create an environment in which prejudice and discrimination can flourish.
The American Psychological Association "encourages mental health professionals to avoid misrepresenting the efficacy of sexual orientation change efforts by promoting or promising change in sexual orientation when providing assistance to individuals distressed by their own or others' sexual orientation and concludes that the benefits reported by participants in sexual orientation change efforts can be gained through approaches that do not attempt to change sexual orientation".
Fluidity of orientationThe American Psychiatric Association (APA) has stated "some people believe that sexual orientation is innate and fixed; however, sexual orientation develops across a person's lifetime". In a joint statement with other major American medical organizations, the APA says that "different people realize at different points in their lives that they are heterosexual, gay, lesbian, or bisexual". A report from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health states: "For some people, sexual orientation is continuous and fixed throughout their lives. For others, sexual orientation may be fluid and change over time". One study has suggested "considerable fluidity in bisexual, unlabeled, and lesbian women's attractions, behaviors, and identities".
Gender and fluidityIn a 2004 study, the female subjects (both gay and straight women) became sexually aroused when they viewed heterosexual as well as lesbian erotic films. Among the male subjects, however, the straight men were turned on only by erotic films with women, the gay ones by those with men. The study's senior researcher said that women's sexual desire is less rigidly directed toward a particular sex, as compared with men's, and it's more changeable over time.
ParentingSee also: LGBT parenting Scientific research has been consistent in showing that lesbian and gay parents are as fit and capable as heterosexual parents, and their children are as psychologically healthy and well-adjusted as children reared by heterosexual parents. According to scientific literature reviews, there is no evidence to the contrary.
HealthFurther information: Men who have sex with men and Lesbian#Health PhysicalThe terms "Men who have sex with men" (MSM) and "women who have sex with women" (WSW) refer to people who engage in sexual activity with others of the same sex regardless of how they identify themselves—as many choose not to accept social identities as lesbian, gay and bisexual. These terms are often used in medical literature and social research to describe such groups for study, without needing to consider the issues of sexual self-identity. The terms are seen as problematic, however, because it "obscures social dimensions of sexuality; undermines the self-labeling of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people; and does not sufficiently describe variations in sexual behavior". MSM and WSW are sexually active with each other for a variety of reasons with the main ones arguably sexual pleasure, intimacy and bonding. In contrast to its benefits, sexual behavior can be a disease vector. Safe sex is a relevant harm reduction philosophy. The United States currently prohibits men who have sex with men from donating blood "because they are, as a group, at increased risk for HIV, hepatitis B and certain other infections that can be transmitted by transfusion." The UK and many European countries have the same prohibition.
Public healthThese safer sex recommendations are agreed upon by public health officials for women who have sex with women to avoid sexually transmitted infections (STIs):
Avoid contact with a partner’s menstrual blood and with any visible genital lesions. Cover sex toys that penetrate more than one person's vagina or anus with a new condom for each person; consider using different toys for each person. Use a barrier (e.g., latex sheet, dental dam, cut-open condom, plastic wrap) during oral sex. Use latex or vinyl gloves and lubricant for any manual sex that might cause bleeding. These safer sex recommendations are agreed upon by public health officials for men who have sex with men to avoid sexually transmitted infections (STIs):
Avoid contact with a partner's bodily fluids and with any visible genital lesions. Use condoms for anal and oral sex. Use a barrier (e.g., latex sheet, dental dam, cut-open condom) during anal–oral sex. Cover sex toys that penetrate more than one person with a new condom for each person; consider using different toys for each person and use latex or vinyl gloves and lubricant for any sex that might cause bleeding. MentalWhen it was first described in medical literature, homosexuality was often approached from a view that sought to find an inherent psychopathology as its root cause. Much literature on mental health and homosexual patients centered on their depression, substance abuse, and suicide. Although these issues exist among people who are non-heterosexual, discussion about their causes shifted after homosexuality was removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) in 1973. Instead, social ostracism, legal discrimination, internalization of negative stereotypes, and limited support structures indicate factors homosexual people face in Western societies that often adversely affect their mental health. Stigma, prejudice, and discrimination stemming from negative societal attitudes toward homosexuality lead to a higher prevalence of mental health disorders among lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals compared to their heterosexual peers. Evidence indicates that the liberalization of these attitudes over the past few decades is associated with a decrease in such mental health risks among younger LGBT people.
Gay and lesbian youthGay and lesbian youth bear an increased risk of suicide, substance abuse, school problems, and isolation because of a "hostile and condemning environment, verbal and physical abuse, rejection and isolation from family and peers". Further, LGBT youths are more likely to report psychological and physical abuse by parents or caretakers, and more sexual abuse. Suggested reasons for this disparity are that (1) LGBT youths may be specifically targeted on the basis of their perceived sexual orientation or gender non-conforming appearance, and (2) that "risk factors associated with sexual minority status, including discrimination, invisibility, and rejection by family members...may lead to an increase in behaviors that are associated with risk for victimization, such as substance abuse, sex with multiple partners, or running away from home as a teenager." A 2008 study showed a correlation between the degree of rejecting behavior by parents of LGB adolescents and negative health problems in the teenagers studied:
Higher rates of family rejection were significantly associated with poorer health outcomes. On the basis of odds ratios, lesbian, gay, and bisexual young adults who reported higher levels of family rejection during adolescence were 8.4 times more likely to report having attempted suicide, 5.9 times more likely to report high levels of depression, 3.4 times more likely to use illegal drugs, and 3.4 times more likely to report having engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse compared with peers from families that reported no or low levels of family rejection. Crisis centers in larger cities and information sites on the Internet have arisen to help youth and adults. The Trevor Helpline, a suicide prevention helpline for gay youth, was established following the 1998 airing on HBO of the Academy Award winning short film Trevor.
HistoryMain articles: LGBT history and Timeline of LGBT history Societal attitudes towards same-sex relationships have varied over time and place, from expecting all males to engage in same-sex relationships, to casual integration, through acceptance, to seeing the practice as a minor sin, repressing it through law enforcement and judicial mechanisms, and to proscribing it under penalty of death.
In a detailed compilation of historical and ethnographic materials of Preindustrial Cultures, "strong disapproval of homosexuality was reported for 41% of 42 cultures; it was accepted or ignored by 21%, and 12% reported no such concept. Of 70 ethnographies, 59% reported homosexuality absent or rare in frequency and 41% reported it present or not uncommon."
In cultures influenced by Abrahamic religions, the law and the church established sodomy as a transgression against divine law or a crime against nature. The condemnation of anal sex between males, however, predates Christian belief. It was frequent in ancient Greece; "unnatural" can be traced back to Plato.
Many historical figures, including Socrates, Lord Byron, Edward II, and Hadrian, have had terms such as gay or bisexual applied to them; some scholars, such as Michel Foucault, have regarded this as risking the anachronistic introduction of a contemporary construction of sexuality foreign to their times, though others challenge this.
A common thread of constructionist argument is that no one in antiquity or the Middle Ages experienced homosexuality as an exclusive, permanent, or defining mode of sexuality. John Boswell has countered this argument by citing ancient Greek writings by Plato, which describe individuals exhibiting exclusive homosexuality.
Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum. Illustration from photograph © 1999 Greg Reeder.AfricaThough often ignored or suppressed by European explorers and colonialists, homosexual expression in native Africa was also present and took a variety of forms. Anthropologists Stephen Murray and Will Roscoe reported that women in Lesotho engaged in socially sanctioned "long term, erotic relationships" called motsoalle. E. E. Evans-Pritchard also recorded that male Azande warriors in the northern Congo routinely took on young male lovers between the ages of twelve and twenty, who helped with household tasks and participated in intercrural sex with their older husbands. The practice had died out by the early 20th century, after Europeans had gained control of African countries, but was recounted to Evans-Pritchard by the elders to whom he spoke.
The first record of possible homosexual couple in history is commonly regarded as Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum, an Egyptian male couple, who lived around the 2400 BCE. The pair are portrayed in a nose-kissing position, the most intimate pose in Egyptian art, surrounded by what appear to be their heirs.
Americas Dance to the Berdache Sac and Fox Nation ceremonial dance to celebrate the two-spirit person. George Catlin (1796–1872); Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DCAmong indigenous peoples of the Americas prior to European colonization, a common form of same-sex sexuality centered around the figure of the Two-Spirit individual. Typically this individual was recognized early in life, given a choice by the parents to follow the path and, if the child accepted the role, raised in the appropriate manner, learning the customs of the gender it had chosen. Two-Spirit individuals were commonly shamans and were revered as having powers beyond those of ordinary shamans. Their sexual life was with the ordinary tribe members of the same sex.
Homosexual and transgender individuals were also common among other pre-conquest civilizations in Latin America, such as the Aztecs, Mayans, Quechuas, Moches, Zapotecs, and the Tupinambá of Brazil.
A woman spying on a pair of male lovers. China, Qing dynasty.The Spanish conquerors were horrified to discover sodomy openly practiced among native peoples, and attempted to crush it out by subjecting the berdaches (as the Spanish called them) under their rule to severe penalties, including public execution, burning and being torn to pieces by dogs.
East AsiaIn East Asia, same-sex love has been referred to since the earliest recorded history.
Homosexuality in China, known as the pleasures of the bitten peach, the cut sleeve, or the southern custom, has been recorded since approximately 600 BCE. These euphemistic terms were used to describe behaviors, not identities (recently some fashionable young Chinese tend to euphemistically use the term "brokeback", 斷背 duanbei to refer to homosexual men, from the success of director Ang Lee's film Brokeback Mountain). Homosexuality was mentioned in Chinese literature. The instances of same-sex affection and sexual interactions described in the classical novel Dream of the Red Chamber seem as familiar to observers in the present as do equivalent stories of romances between heterosexual people during the same period.
Homosexuality in Japan, variously known as shudo or nanshoku has been documented for over one thousand years and was an integral part of Buddhist monastic life and the samurai tradition. This same-sex love culture gave rise to strong traditions of painting and literature documenting and celebrating such relationships.
Similarly, in Thailand, Kathoey, or "ladyboys", have been a feature of Thai society for many centuries, and Thai kings had male as well as female lovers. While Kathoey may encompass simple effeminacy or transvestism, it most commonly is treated in Thai culture as a third gender. They are generally accepted by society, and Thailand has never had legal prohibitions against homosexuality or homosexual behavior.
EuropeFurther information: Homosexuality in ancient Greece, Homosexuality in ancient Rome
Roman man penetrating a youth, possibly a slave, middle of the 1st century AD. Found in Bittir (?), near Jerusalem.The earliest Western documents (in the form of literary works, art objects, and mythographic materials) concerning same-sex relationships are derived from ancient Greece.
In regard of male homosexuality such documents depict a world in which relationships with women and relationships with youths were the essential foundation of a normal man's love life. Same-sex relationships were a social institution variously constructed over time and from one city to another. The formal practice, an erotic yet often restrained relationship between a free adult male and a free adolescent, was valued for its pedagogic benefits and as a means of population control, though occasionally blamed for causing disorder. Plato praised its benefits in his early writings but in his late works proposed its prohibition. In the Symposium (182B-D), Plato equates acceptance of homosexuality with democracy, and its suppression with despotism, saying that homosexuality "is shameful to barbarians because of their despotic governments, just as philosophy and athletics are, since it is apparently not in best interests of such rulers to have great ideas engendered in their subjects, or powerful friendships or physical unions, all of which love is particularly apt to produce". Aristotle, in the Politics, dismissed Plato's ideas about abolishing homosexuality (2.4); he explains that barbarians like the Celts accorded it a special honor (2.6.6), while the Cretans used it to regulate the population (2.7.5).
Youth females are depicted as surrounding Sappho in this painting of Lafond "Sappho sings for Homer", 1824.Little is known of female homosexuality in antiquity. Sappho, born on the island of Lesbos, was included by later Greeks in the canonical list of nine lyric poets. The adjectives deriving from her name and place of birth (Sapphic and Lesbian) came to be applied to female homosexuality beginning in the 19th century. Sappho's poetry centers on passion and love for various personages and both genders. The narrators of many of her poems speak of infatuations and love (sometimes requited, sometimes not) for various females, but descriptions of physical acts between women are few and subject to debate.
Sappho reading to her companions on an Attic vase of c. 435 BC.In Ancient Rome the young male body remained a focus of male sexual attention, but relationships were between older free men and slaves or freed youths who took the receptive role in sex. All the emperors with the exception of Claudius took male lovers. The Hellenophile emperor Hadrian is renowned for his relationship with Antinous, but the Christian emperor Theodosius I decreed a law on August 6, 390, condemning passive males to be burned at the stake. Justinian, towards the end of his reign, expanded the proscription to the active partner as well (in 558), warning that such conduct can lead to the destruction of cities through the "wrath of God". Notwithstanding these regulations, taxes on brothels of boys available for homosexual sex continued to be collected until the end of the reign of Anastasius I in 518.
During the Renaissance, wealthy cities in northern Italy—Florence and Venice in particular—were renowned for their widespread practice of same-sex love, engaged in by a considerable part of the male population and constructed along the classical pattern of Greece and Rome. But even as many of the male population were engaging in same-sex relationships, the authorities, under the aegis of the Officers of the Night court, were prosecuting, fining, and imprisoning a good portion of that population. From the second half of the 13th century, death was the punishment for male homosexuality in most of Europe. The eclipse of this period of relative artistic and erotic freedom was precipitated by the rise to power of the moralizing monk Girolamo Savonarola. In northern Europe the artistic discourse on sodomy was turned against its proponents by artists such as Rembrandt, who in his Rape of Ganymede no longer depicted Ganymede as a willing youth, but as a squalling baby attacked by a rapacious bird of prey.
The relationships of socially prominent figures, such as King James I and the Duke of Buckingham, served to highlight the issue, including in anonymously authored street pamphlets: "The world is chang'd I know not how, For men Kiss Men, not Women now;...Of J. the First and Buckingham: He, true it is, his Wives Embraces fled, To slabber his lov'd Ganimede" (Mundus Foppensis, or The Fop Display'd, 1691).
Love Letters Between a Certain Late Nobleman and the Famous Mr. Wilson was published in 1723 in England and was presumed by some modern scholars to be a novel. The 1749 edition of John Cleland's popular novel Fanny Hill includes a homosexual scene, but this was removed in its 1750 edition. Also in 1749, the earliest extended and serious defense of homosexuality in English, Ancient and Modern Pederasty Investigated and Exemplified, written by Thomas Cannon, was published, but was suppressed almost immediately. It includes the passage, "Unnatural Desire is a Contradiction in Terms; downright Nonsense. Desire is an amatory Impulse of the inmost human Parts." Around 1785 Jeremy Bentham wrote another defense, but this was not published until 1978. Executions for sodomy continued in the Netherlands until 1803, and in England until 1835.
Between 1864 and 1880 Karl Heinrich Ulrichs published a series of twelve tracts, which he collectively titled Research on the Riddle of Man-Manly Love. In 1867, he became the first self-proclaimed homosexual person to speak out publicly in defense of homosexuality when he pleaded at the Congress of German Jurists in Munich for a resolution urging the repeal of anti-homosexual laws. Sexual Inversion by Havelock Ellis, published in 1896, challenged theories that homosexuality was abnormal, as well as stereotypes, and insisted on the ubiquity of homosexuality and its association with intellectual and artistic achievement. Although medical texts like these (written partly in Latin to obscure the sexual details) were not widely read by the general public, they did lead to the rise of Magnus Hirschfeld's Scientific Humanitarian Committee, which campaigned from 1897 to 1933 against anti-sodomy laws in Germany, as well as a much more informal, unpublicized movement among British intellectuals and writers, led by such figures as Edward Carpenter and John Addington Symonds. Beginning in 1894 with Homogenic Love, Socialist activist and poet Edward Carpenter wrote a string of pro-homosexual articles and pamphlets, and "came out" in 1916 in his book My Days and Dreams. In 1900, Elisar von Kupffer published an anthology of homosexual literature from antiquity to his own time, Lieblingminne und Freundesliebe in der Weltliteratur. His aim was to broaden the public perspective of homosexuality beyond its being viewed simply as a medical or biological issue, but also as an ethical and cultural one. In a backlash to this, the Third Reich specifically targeted LGBT people in the Holocaust.
Middle East, South and Central Asia Dance of a bacchá (dancing boy) Samarkand, (ca 1905–1915), photo Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii. Library of Congress, Washington, DC.Further information: Homosexuality and Islam and Category:LGBT in the Middle East Among many Middle Eastern Muslim cultures egalitarian or age-structured homosexual practices were, and remain, widespread and thinly veiled. The prevailing pattern of same-sex relationships in the temperate and sub-tropical zone stretching from Northern India to the Western Sahara is one in which the relationships were—and are—either gender-structured or age-structured or both. In recent years, egalitarian relationships modeled on the western pattern have become more frequent, though they remain rare. Same-sex intercourse officially carries the death penalty in several Muslim nations: Saudi Arabia, Iran, Mauritania, northern Nigeria, Sudan, and Yemen.
Some scholars argue that there are examples of homosexual love in ancient literature, like in the Mesopotamian Epic of Gilgamesh as well as in the Biblical story of David and Jonathan. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, the relationship between the main protagonist Gilgamesh and the character Enkidu has been seen by some to be homosexual in nature. Similarly, David's love for Jonathon is "greater than the love of women." Admittedly, many of these examples are inherently problematic because of applying the modern category of "homosexuality" to a time where none-such forms of identity existed.
A tradition of art and literature sprang up constructing Middle Eastern homosexuality. Muslim—often Sufi—poets in medieval Arab lands and in Persia wrote odes to the beautiful wine boys who served them in the taverns. In many areas the practice survived into modern times, as documented by Richard Francis Burton, André Gide, and others.
There are a handful of accounts by Arab travelers to Europe during mid-1800s. Two of these travelers, Rifa'ah al-Tahtawi and Muhammad sl-Saffar, show their surprise that the French sometimes mis-translated love poetry about a young boy, instead referring to a young female, to maintain their social norms and morals.
In Persia homosexuality and homoerotic expressions were tolerated in numerous public places, from monasteries and seminaries to taverns, military camps, bathhouses, and coffee houses. In the early Safavid era (1501–1723), male houses of prostitution (amrad khane) were legally recognized and paid taxes. Persian poets, such as Sa'di (d. 1291), Hafez (d. 1389), and Jami (d. 1492), wrote poems replete with homoerotic allusions. The two most commonly documented forms were commercial sex with transgender young males or males enacting transgender roles exemplified by the köçeks and the bacchás, and Sufi spiritual practices in which the practitioner admired the form of a beautiful boy in order to enter ecstatic states and glimpse the beauty of god.
Today, governments in the Middle East often ignore, deny the existence of, or criminalize homosexuality. Homosexuality is illegal in almost all Muslim countries. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, during his 2007 speech at Columbia University, asserted that there were no gay people in Iran. Gay people do live in Iran, but most keep their sexuality a secret for fear of government sanction or rejection by their families.
The Laws of Manu, the foundational work of Hindu law, mentions a "third sex", members of which may engage in nontraditional gender expression and homosexual activities.
South PacificIn many societies of Melanesia, especially in Papua New Guinea, same-sex relationships were an integral part of the culture until the middle of the last century. The Etoro and Marind-anim for example, even viewed heterosexuality as sinful and celebrated homosexuality instead. In many traditional Melanesian cultures a prepubertal boy would be paired with an older adolescent who would become his mentor and who would "inseminate" him (orally, anally, or topically, depending on the tribe) over a number of years in order for the younger to also reach puberty. Many Melanesian societies, however, have become hostile towards same-sex relationships since the introduction of Christianity by European missionaries.
Law, politics, society and sociologyFurther information: Societal attitudes toward homosexuality LegalityFurther information: Sodomy law and LGBT rights by country or territory See also: LGBT rights opposition
Homosexuality legal
Same-sex marriage Other type of partnership (or unregistered cohabitation) Same-sex marriage recognized, but not performed Homosexuality legal but same-sex unions not recognized Homosexuality illegal Minimal penalty Large penalty Life in prison Death penalty
v · d · eMost nations do not impede consensual sex between unrelated persons above the local age of consent. Some jurisdictions further recognize identical rights, protections, and privileges for the family structures of same-sex couples, including marriage. Some nations mandate that all individuals restrict themselves to heterosexual relationships; that is, in some jurisdictions homosexual activity is illegal. Offenders can face the death penalty in some fundamentalist Muslim areas such as Iran and parts of Nigeria. There are, however, often significant differences between official policy and real-world enforcement. See Violence against LGBT people.
Although homosexual acts were decriminalized in some parts of the Western world, such as Poland in 1932, Denmark in 1933, Sweden in 1944, and the United Kingdom in 1967, it was not until the mid-1970s that the gay community first began to achieve limited civil rights in some developed countries. On July 2, 2009, homosexuality was decriminalized in India by a High Court ruling. A turning point was reached in 1973 when the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, thus negating its previous definition of homosexuality as a clinical mental disorder. In 1977, Quebec became the first state-level jurisdiction in the world to prohibit discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. During the 1980s and 1990s, most developed countries enacted laws decriminalizing homosexual behavior and prohibiting discrimination against lesbian and gay people in employment, housing, and services. On the other hand, many countries today in the Middle East and Africa, as well as several countries in Asia, the Caribbean and the South Pacific, outlaw homosexuality. In six countries, homosexual behavior is punishable by life imprisonment; in ten others, it carries the death penalty.
Sexual orientation and the lawUnited StatesEmployment discrimination refers to discriminatory employment practices such as bias in hiring, promotion, job assignment, termination, and compensation, and various types of harassment. In the United States there is "very little statutory, common law, and case law establishing employment discrimination based upon sexual orientation as a legal wrong." Some exceptions and alternative legal strategies are available. President Bill Clinton's Executive Order 13087 (1998) prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation in the competitive service of the federal civilian workforce, and federal non-civil service employees may have recourse under the due process clause of the U.S. Constitution. Private sector workers may have a Title VII action under a quid pro quo sexual harassment theory, a "hostile work environment" theory, a sexual stereotyping theory, or others. Housing discrimination refers to discrimination against potential or current tenants by landlords. In the United States, there is no federal law against such discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, but at least thirteen states and many major cities have enacted laws prohibiting it. Hate crimes (also known as bias crimes) are crimes motivated by bias against an identifiable social group, usually groups defined by race (classification of human beings), religion, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, gender identity, or political affiliation. In the United States, 45 states and the District of Columbia have statutes criminalizing various types of bias-motivated violence or intimidation (the exceptions are AZ, GA, IN, SC, and WY). Each of these statutes covers bias on the basis of race, religion, and ethnicity; 32 of them cover sexual orientation, 28 cover gender, and 11 cover transgender/gender-identity. In October 2009, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which "...gives the Justice Department the power to investigate and prosecute bias-motivated violence where the perpetrator has selected the victim because of the person's actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability", was signed into law and makes hate crime based on sexual orientation, amongst other offenses, a federal crime in the United States. European UnionIn the European Union discrimination of any type based on sexual orientation or gender identity is illegal under the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
Political activismFurther information: LGBT social movements
Barbara Gittings picketing Independence Hall July 4, 1966. Photo taken by Kay Lahusen.Since the 1960s, many LGBT people in the West, particularly those in major metropolitan areas, have developed a so-called gay culture. To many, gay culture is exemplified by the gay pride movement, with annual parades and displays of rainbow flags. Yet not all LGBT people choose to participate in "queer culture", and many gay men and women specifically decline to do so. To some it seems to be a frivolous display, perpetuating gay stereotypes. To some others, the gay culture represents heterophobia and is scorned as widening the gulf between gay and non-gay people.
With the outbreak of AIDS in the early 1980s, many LGBT groups and individuals organized campaigns to promote efforts in AIDS education, prevention, research, patient support, and community outreach, as well as to demand government support for these programs. Gay Men's Health Crisis, Project Inform, and ACT UP are some notable American examples of the LGBT community's response to the AIDS crisis.
The bewildering death toll wrought by the AIDS epidemic at first seemed to slow the progress of the gay rights movement, but in time it galvanized some parts of the LGBT community into community service and political action, and challenged the heterosexual community to respond compassionately. Major American motion pictures from this period that dramatized the response of individuals and communities to the AIDS crisis include An Early Frost (1985), Longtime Companion (1990), And the Band Played On (1993), Philadelphia (1993), and Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt (1989), the last referring to the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, last displayed in its entirety on the Mall in Washington, D.C., in 1996.
Publicly gay politicians have attained numerous government posts, even in countries that had sodomy laws in their recent past. Examples include Guido Westerwelle, Germany's Vice-Chancellor; Peter Mandelson, a British Labour Party cabinet minister and Per-Kristian Foss, formerly Norwegian Minister of Finance.
LGBT movements are opposed by a variety of individuals and organizations. Some social conservatives believe that all sexual relationships with people other than an opposite-sex spouse undermine the traditional family and that children should be reared in homes with both a father and a mother. There is concern that gay rights may conflict with individuals' freedom of speech, religious freedoms in the workplace, the ability to run churches, charitable organizations and other religious organizations in accordance with one's religious views, and that the acceptance of homosexual relationships by religious organizations might be forced through threatening to remove the tax-exempt status of churches whose views do not align with those of the government.
Critics charge that political correctness has led to the association of sex between males and HIV being downplayed.
RelationshipsIn 2006, the American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association and National Association of Social Workers stated in an Amicus Brief presented to the Supreme Court of the State of California: "Gay men and lesbians form stable, committed relationships that are equivalent to heterosexual relationships in essential respects. The institution of marriage offers social, psychological, and health benefits that are denied to same-sex couples. By denying same-sex couples the right to marry, the state reinforces and perpetuates the stigma historically associated with homosexuality. Homosexuality remains stigmatized, and this stigma has negative consequences. California's prohibition on marriage for same-sex couples reflects and reinforces this stigma". They concluded: "There is no scientific basis for distinguishing between same-sex couples and heterosexual couples with respect to the legal rights, obligations, benefits, and burdens conferred by civil marriage."
Military service The US Army defines homosexual conduct as "a homosexual act, a statement by a soldier that demonstrates a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts, the solicitation of another to engage in homosexual act or acts, or a homosexual marriage or attempted marriage."Main article: Sexual orientation and military service Policies and attitudes toward gay and lesbian military personnel vary widely around the world. Some countries allow gay men, lesbians, and bisexual people to serve openly and have granted them the same rights and privileges as their heterosexual counterparts. Many countries neither ban nor support LGB service members. A few countries continue to ban homosexual personnel outright.
Most Western military forces have removed policies excluding sexual minority members. Of the 26 countries that participate militarily in NATO, more than 20 permit openly gay, lesbian and bisexual people to serve. Of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, three (United Kingdom, France and United States) do so. The other two generally do not: China bans gay and lesbian people outright, Russia excludes all gay and lesbian people during peacetime but allows some gay men to serve in wartime (see below). Israel is the only country in the Middle East region that allows openly LGB people to serve in the military.
While the question of homosexuality in the military has been highly politicized in the United States, it is not necessarily so in many countries. Generally speaking, sexuality in these cultures is considered a more personal aspect of one's identity than it is in the United States.
According to American Psychological Association empirical evidence fails to show that sexual orientation is germane to any aspect of military effectiveness including unit cohesion, morale, recruitment and retention. Sexual orientation is irrelevant to task cohesion, the only type of cohesion that critically predicts the team's military readiness and success.
On March 18, 2010, after U.S. President Obama announced that he wanted to put an end to the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, former U.S. general and high ranking NATO official John Sheehan blamed homosexuals serving in the Dutch military for the fall of Srebrenica to Serb militias in the Bosnian War fifteen years earlier, stating that homosexuals had weakened the Dutch UN battalion charged with protecting the enclave. In the U.S. Senate, Sheehan said that European countries had tried to "socialize" their armed forces by letting people serve in the army too easily, which according to him, left them weakened. He claimed that his opinion was shared by the leadership of the Dutch armed forces, mentioning the name "Hankman Berman", most probably referring to the then chief of the Dutch defence staff, Henk van den Breemen. Dutch authorities dismissed Sheehan's statements as "disgraceful" and "total nonsense".
ReligionMain article: Religion and homosexuality Though the relationship between homosexuality and religion can vary greatly across time and place, within and between different religions and sects, and regarding different forms of homosexuality and bisexuality, current authoritative bodies and doctrines of the world's largest religions generally view homosexuality negatively. This can range from quietly discouraging homosexual activity, to explicitly forbidding same-sex sexual practices among adherents and actively opposing social acceptance of homosexuality. Some teach that homosexual orientation itself is sinful, while the Catholic Church states that only the sexual act itself is a sin. Some claim that homosexuality can be overcome through religious faith and practice. On the other hand, voices exist within many of these religions that view homosexuality more positively, and liberal religious denominations may bless same-sex marriages. Some view same-sex love and sexuality as sacred, and a mythology of same-sex love can be found around the world. Regardless of their position on homosexuality, many people of faith look to both sacred texts and tradition for guidance on this issue. However, the authority of various traditions or scriptural passages and the correctness of translations and interpretations have been disputed.
Heterosexism and homophobiaFurther information: Heterosexism and Homophobia
Protests in New York City against Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill.In many cultures, homosexual people are frequently subject to prejudice and discrimination. Similar to other minority groups they can also be subject to stereotyping. These attitudes tend to be due to forms of homophobia and heterosexism (negative attitudes, bias, and discrimination in favor of opposite-sex sexuality and relationships). Heterosexism can include the presumption that everyone is heterosexual or that opposite-sex attractions and relationships are the norm and therefore superior. Homophobia is a fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexual people. It manifests in different forms, and a number of different types have been postulated, among which are internalized homophobia, social homophobia, emotional homophobia, rationalized homophobia, and others. Similar is lesbophobia (specifically targeting lesbians) and biphobia (against bisexual people). When such attitudes manifest as crimes they are often called hate crimes and gay bashing.
Negative stereotypes characterize LGB people as less romantically stable, more promiscuous and more likely to abuse children, but there is no scientific basis to such assertions. Gay men and lesbians form stable, committed relationships that are equivalent to heterosexual relationships in essential respects. Sexual orientation does not affect the likelihood that people will abuse children. Claims that there is scientific evidence to support an association between being gay and being a pedophile are based on misuses of those terms and misrepresentation of the actual evidence.
Violence against gay and lesbian peopleMain article: Violence against LGBT people In the United States, the FBI reported that 15.6% of hate crimes reported to police in 2004 were based on perceived sexual orientation. Sixty-one percent of these attacks were against gay men. The 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay student, is a notorious such incident in the U.S.
Homosexual behavior in animalsMain article: Homosexual behavior in animals
Roy and Silo, two New York Central Park Zoo male Chinstrap Penguins similar to those pictured, became internationally known when they coupled and later were given an egg that needed hatching and care, which they successfully did.Homosexual behavior in animals refers to the documented evidence of homosexual, bisexual and transgender behavior in non-human animals. Such behaviors include sex, courtship, affection, pair bonding, and parenting. Homosexual and bisexual behavior are widespread in the animal kingdom: a 1999 review by researcher Bruce Bagemihl shows that homosexual behavior has been observed in close to 1500 species, ranging from primates to gut worms, and is well documented for 500 of them. Animal sexual behavior takes many different forms, even within the same species. The motivations for and implications of these behaviors have yet to be fully understood, since most species have yet to be fully studied. According to Bagemihl, "the animal kingdom it with much greater sexual diversity—including homosexual, bisexual and nonreproductive sex—than the scientific community and society at large have previously been willing to accept."