The FCC is seeking comment on whether the TV Parental Guidelines rating system needs to be changed to penalize shows for transgender or nonbinary content.
The ongoing, incremental, slide toward white supremacist, patriarchal, right-wing media continues. It will be the Waltons and Little House on the Prairie 24 hours a day, or some other milquetoast production they come up with containing all white, middle class, Project 2025 approved characters and boring plot lines.
If you can't be bothered to pre-screen the content your children may consume, then don't have kids. I don't agree with parents preventing their childeen from learning about lgbtqia+ individuals, or any form of person/culture that may exist. It's clear the intent is to continue the formation of an insular nation that demeans and discriminates against anyone other than non-disabled cis-white "nuclear" families. It's mind blowing hypocrisy that they cannot be bothered to take basic measures to monitor the content their own children consume and insist upon government control of all media.
I suppose I'm talking directly about the low-effort thinkers that actually believe their kids will be turned into "us" via the TV, or social media. Lunacy.
We really need to start calling these people’s fixation upon trans folks as a perverse obsession. The Red States have already shown a marked lust for Trans Porn, as revealed by the porn industry’s latest studies.
We’re not getting enough testimony from doctors, scientists,psychologists etc.
Ohio has a few bills going now. I listened in on State House videos, featuring TERFs spewing lies, for a few minutes. Had to change the channel before my head popped off.
Where is the medical community? What can’t we fight dirty like them, with their own tactics? TV, flyers, podcasts and the like. More protests at state houses? I’ve said this before: It’s way past time for the Cis community to get off of their asses and step up. “Pastor” Click in Ohio and all his MAGA cronies need to be publicly embarrassed and held accountable for their lies.
I’m sorry, I’ve got old fat fingers. The issue is why can’t the transgender community as a whole get organized to fight the good fight. The lunatic fringe right wing has always played the long game politically. This is nothing new. The “Trans” community as a whole is much too fragmented and self interested to get organized. There are too many gender non-conforming segments with differing goals under our umbrella out there to combat the highly organized and deeply well funded campaign against us at the present moment.
The constitutionality of government penalties on creative content are really very narrow. This is obviously outside those limits.
I hope this SCOTUS cares.
I recall the meme, "You might stop transgender people from being mentioned publicly, but that doesn't mean there aren't transgender people born -- it just means they become miserable people with often no idea why."
OMG, I am so up to here with every rich, pasty-faced, balding a-hole in a suit attempting to impose its value-of-the-week on everyone else. I'd call him two-faced, but--as my beloved mother used to say: "If you actually were two-faced, you certainly wouldn't be wearing that one."
I am expressing my concern regarding recent discussions involving the FCC and potential efforts that could expand federal oversight of television programming beyond what is intended under existing law, including the Telecommunications Act of 1996. That law has long balanced broadcast regulation with protections for competition, diversity of programming, and the role of parents in guiding what their children watch.
I am concerned about any interpretation or application of FCC authority that could be used to threaten broadcasters with revocation of licenses in a way that pressures or effectively controls editorial or programming decisions. Such actions risk shifting decision-making away from families and toward federal regulators, which could undermine established principles of parental responsibility and choice.
Additionally, I oppose any proposal that would include faith-based organizations or perspectives from participation on parental guideline or advisory bodies. Including faith-based voices in these discussions would narrow the range of viewpoints represented in shaping standards that affect families and community values.
Media regulation should remain consistent with existing law, respect the limits of regulatory authority, and ensure that parents—not government agencies—retain the primary role in guiding the content their children consume.
It bears another reminder- even if policies like this go into effect, there 𝘪𝘴 something you can do to resist the censorship: collect all of the LGBTQ+ media you can, and back it up somewhere safe. Bring back bootlegging. Make as many copies as you can, and share the wealth with all your friends. Since they're going after children's content, focus on that for now. Grab physical copies if they're available and you can afford them. Digital media is only safe as long as it comes in a DRM-free format that can be readily copied and played/viewed without going through a proprietary media player or streaming platform. If no ordinary means exists to obtain something, don't let that deter you from finding... alternatives. VPN subscriptions cost about the same as a streaming subscription does.
The censors may be able to control what's on TV and streaming platforms, if they try hard enough, but they 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 root out every privately-held media archive; a compact SSD or flash stick can be hidden literally anywhere. The Nazis can't just chuck entire bodies of work on bonfires and be done with it anymore. It has never been easier to preserve art (or research- save copies of those trans-supportive studies, too!) than it is right now, and as long as even a single copy remains, any lost work can be brought right back again when the clouds part.
Plus, if the worst-case scenario fails to materialize, you'll still have an awesome collection of queer art to enjoy.
You know what kind of rating system I support? The one where the parents review the content and decide if it appropriate for their own child. Nobody else's.
I’m having a hard time finding where to comment - would soneone mind walking me through the exact steps and verbage once I click the link in the story?
I was also confused, and not sure if this is correct, but this is what I did.
1. Click the link from the story which opens to the Proceeding Detail of docket number 19-41
2. Click "Submit an express filing" This should open a form called "Submit an Express comment", and the first field for "Proceeding(s): Specify the FCC proceeding(s) to which your filing refers" should be auto-filled with "19-41". If it isn't, you can type it in to find the relevant filing.
3. Fill out your name, address, and comment in the mandatory fields. There is an optional field for email, which you can use if you want to include an Email Confirmation using the no/yes toggle below the comment field. (should be a copy it emails to you).
4. Check the final box at the bottom that acknowledges you're submitting something official, then the button "continue to review screen".
5. Skim the review screen to make sure it has all the right information, and click 'submit' at the bottom.
It’s never going to stop until we stop talking and start doing! Months of protests have stung them but it’s still not enough! The MAGAT cult has no future, and they are finding it harder to keep their lies going! They must be pressed by protests not monthly but daily!! We must keep the truth coming out and fight their agenda and propaganda harder and louder than they ever have been! They have no free will or conscience anymore and they have no shame or empathy whatsoever for anyone who doesn’t look or think like “THEM!” They are all enemies of the Real American people and Democracy! And We Will NEVER BE ERASED BY THE BASTARDIZED GOVERNMENT OF FASCISM AND TRUMPISTAN! 🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🌈🦄
The link at the end doesn’t go to the type of page I’m used to for requests for public comment. Should I “submit a filing”? (Which looks like it’s for lawyers?) Or is there a better page to start from? Thanks!
Oh, for the days when Erica Kane's lesbian daughter, Bianca, was given a beautiful storyline with Zarf/Zoe, the first trans character on American soaps. That was 2006--ABC pre-Disney. I can bet that there are folks today who were helped by seeing the compassionate portrayal of a trans person on TV. It boggles the mind that--20 years later--there are systematic attempts to suppress and erase humanity in its multiple and perfectly designed forms. Regression at its most insidious.
FFS, even mentioning us is coming with penalties. It appears that our genocide has progressed even further.
The ongoing, incremental, slide toward white supremacist, patriarchal, right-wing media continues. It will be the Waltons and Little House on the Prairie 24 hours a day, or some other milquetoast production they come up with containing all white, middle class, Project 2025 approved characters and boring plot lines.
If you can't be bothered to pre-screen the content your children may consume, then don't have kids. I don't agree with parents preventing their childeen from learning about lgbtqia+ individuals, or any form of person/culture that may exist. It's clear the intent is to continue the formation of an insular nation that demeans and discriminates against anyone other than non-disabled cis-white "nuclear" families. It's mind blowing hypocrisy that they cannot be bothered to take basic measures to monitor the content their own children consume and insist upon government control of all media.
I suppose I'm talking directly about the low-effort thinkers that actually believe their kids will be turned into "us" via the TV, or social media. Lunacy.
These are the most fragile, scared, and pathetic people I have ever heard of. F*** the FCC. We aren't going anywhere.
We really need to start calling these people’s fixation upon trans folks as a perverse obsession. The Red States have already shown a marked lust for Trans Porn, as revealed by the porn industry’s latest studies.
We’re not getting enough testimony from doctors, scientists,psychologists etc.
Ohio has a few bills going now. I listened in on State House videos, featuring TERFs spewing lies, for a few minutes. Had to change the channel before my head popped off.
Where is the medical community? What can’t we fight dirty like them, with their own tactics? TV, flyers, podcasts and the like. More protests at state houses? I’ve said this before: It’s way past time for the Cis community to get off of their asses and step up. “Pastor” Click in Ohio and all his MAGA cronies need to be publicly embarrassed and held accountable for their lies.
I'm starting to think that these people think (obsess) about trans issues more than I, a transgender woman, do.
David, the issue is not why can’t we fight dirty
I’m sorry, I’ve got old fat fingers. The issue is why can’t the transgender community as a whole get organized to fight the good fight. The lunatic fringe right wing has always played the long game politically. This is nothing new. The “Trans” community as a whole is much too fragmented and self interested to get organized. There are too many gender non-conforming segments with differing goals under our umbrella out there to combat the highly organized and deeply well funded campaign against us at the present moment.
The constitutionality of government penalties on creative content are really very narrow. This is obviously outside those limits.
I hope this SCOTUS cares.
I recall the meme, "You might stop transgender people from being mentioned publicly, but that doesn't mean there aren't transgender people born -- it just means they become miserable people with often no idea why."
Thank you for letting us know, Erin.
This appears to be the goal.
The goal meeting the definition of genocide quite well -- only so far short of organized mass murder.
Pink Pistols folks. Just like the Scouts say, Be Prepared!
[practiced with armaments are far from the only way to be prepared, they are a part of it!]
I'll just say I already bought a larger handbag with an easy access side pocket for... Reasons.
G19 reasons, to be precise.
Says the man who used to rail against gov censorship https://reason.com/2025/02/05/how-the-fccs-warrior-for-free-speech-became-our-censor-in-chief/
OMG, I am so up to here with every rich, pasty-faced, balding a-hole in a suit attempting to impose its value-of-the-week on everyone else. I'd call him two-faced, but--as my beloved mother used to say: "If you actually were two-faced, you certainly wouldn't be wearing that one."
Send the following submission:
I am expressing my concern regarding recent discussions involving the FCC and potential efforts that could expand federal oversight of television programming beyond what is intended under existing law, including the Telecommunications Act of 1996. That law has long balanced broadcast regulation with protections for competition, diversity of programming, and the role of parents in guiding what their children watch.
I am concerned about any interpretation or application of FCC authority that could be used to threaten broadcasters with revocation of licenses in a way that pressures or effectively controls editorial or programming decisions. Such actions risk shifting decision-making away from families and toward federal regulators, which could undermine established principles of parental responsibility and choice.
Additionally, I oppose any proposal that would include faith-based organizations or perspectives from participation on parental guideline or advisory bodies. Including faith-based voices in these discussions would narrow the range of viewpoints represented in shaping standards that affect families and community values.
Media regulation should remain consistent with existing law, respect the limits of regulatory authority, and ensure that parents—not government agencies—retain the primary role in guiding the content their children consume.
So well constructed, using their own frames and language against them. Bravo.
It bears another reminder- even if policies like this go into effect, there 𝘪𝘴 something you can do to resist the censorship: collect all of the LGBTQ+ media you can, and back it up somewhere safe. Bring back bootlegging. Make as many copies as you can, and share the wealth with all your friends. Since they're going after children's content, focus on that for now. Grab physical copies if they're available and you can afford them. Digital media is only safe as long as it comes in a DRM-free format that can be readily copied and played/viewed without going through a proprietary media player or streaming platform. If no ordinary means exists to obtain something, don't let that deter you from finding... alternatives. VPN subscriptions cost about the same as a streaming subscription does.
The censors may be able to control what's on TV and streaming platforms, if they try hard enough, but they 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 root out every privately-held media archive; a compact SSD or flash stick can be hidden literally anywhere. The Nazis can't just chuck entire bodies of work on bonfires and be done with it anymore. It has never been easier to preserve art (or research- save copies of those trans-supportive studies, too!) than it is right now, and as long as even a single copy remains, any lost work can be brought right back again when the clouds part.
Plus, if the worst-case scenario fails to materialize, you'll still have an awesome collection of queer art to enjoy.
You know what kind of rating system I support? The one where the parents review the content and decide if it appropriate for their own child. Nobody else's.
Bingo.
I’m having a hard time finding where to comment - would soneone mind walking me through the exact steps and verbage once I click the link in the story?
I was also confused, and not sure if this is correct, but this is what I did.
1. Click the link from the story which opens to the Proceeding Detail of docket number 19-41
2. Click "Submit an express filing" This should open a form called "Submit an Express comment", and the first field for "Proceeding(s): Specify the FCC proceeding(s) to which your filing refers" should be auto-filled with "19-41". If it isn't, you can type it in to find the relevant filing.
3. Fill out your name, address, and comment in the mandatory fields. There is an optional field for email, which you can use if you want to include an Email Confirmation using the no/yes toggle below the comment field. (should be a copy it emails to you).
4. Check the final box at the bottom that acknowledges you're submitting something official, then the button "continue to review screen".
5. Skim the review screen to make sure it has all the right information, and click 'submit' at the bottom.
It’s never going to stop until we stop talking and start doing! Months of protests have stung them but it’s still not enough! The MAGAT cult has no future, and they are finding it harder to keep their lies going! They must be pressed by protests not monthly but daily!! We must keep the truth coming out and fight their agenda and propaganda harder and louder than they ever have been! They have no free will or conscience anymore and they have no shame or empathy whatsoever for anyone who doesn’t look or think like “THEM!” They are all enemies of the Real American people and Democracy! And We Will NEVER BE ERASED BY THE BASTARDIZED GOVERNMENT OF FASCISM AND TRUMPISTAN! 🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🌈🦄
The link at the end doesn’t go to the type of page I’m used to for requests for public comment. Should I “submit a filing”? (Which looks like it’s for lawyers?) Or is there a better page to start from? Thanks!
People's existance isn't chuld inappropriate.
Oh, for the days when Erica Kane's lesbian daughter, Bianca, was given a beautiful storyline with Zarf/Zoe, the first trans character on American soaps. That was 2006--ABC pre-Disney. I can bet that there are folks today who were helped by seeing the compassionate portrayal of a trans person on TV. It boggles the mind that--20 years later--there are systematic attempts to suppress and erase humanity in its multiple and perfectly designed forms. Regression at its most insidious.
This is why independent media is important. I center LGBTQ inclusion in my weekly coming of age fiction posts. Check it out at Buddystar.Substack.com