The Big (Adult) Tumblr Meltdown

So… some of you might already be aware that Tumblr has decided to block Adult content on the platform starting December 17th. This comes in the wake of the Tumblr app being removed from the Apple Store a few days back on account of the platform being used to post child porn.

When it comes to this last topic, my position is clear and I’ll be rude: Fuck child porn and all that pedophile shit! However, not all adult content is bad and there are a lot of folks out there who make a living out of it and used Tumblr as a way to gain followers and interact with like-minded people. Banning everything outright is an extreme measure that makes absolutely no sense even more so considering that their new guidelines aren’t quite clear. Let’s take a look at them, shall we?

Banned content includes photos, videos, and GIFs of human genitalia, female-presenting nipples, and any media involving sex acts, including illustrations. The exceptions include nude classical statues and political protests that feature nudity. The new guidelines exclude text, so erotica remains permitted. Illustrations and art that feature nudity are still okay — so long as sex acts aren’t depicted — and so are breastfeeding and after-birth photos.

Okay, so you don’t want cocks and pussies lying around. Not all sex amounts to porn even though they almost make it seem like so and nipples are suddenly outright scandalous. I wasn’t aware we were back in the 1600’s where Puritanism ruled but okay.

Nude classical statues are fine, it seems, but what if there’s sex depicted in the nude classical statue?. Below, you have two pictures. The first is The Kiss, a marble statue by Rodin where even though sex isn’t explicit, it’s implied by the two naked bodies and the female definitely has nipples. The second is part of the Khajuharo Temple Carvings in India and there’s definitely a lot more going there.

Now, with the rules above, is this allowed on Tumblr or not? Because they’re both art even if the second is definitely racier. I’m not even sure Rodin’s beautiful work is eligible because of the nipples. Honestly, it makes no sense.

What makes even less sense is that while they’re banning imagery, erotic text will still be allowed yet erotica is also Adult content too so there’s a double standard going on here. Look, I write erotica, and I work with erotic imagery so I’m not really sure myself where my work lands on Tumblr any more, if it does. I’ve read works that would put many images to shame. It doesn’t feel fair to exclude certain things like that but…

A lot of Adult and NSFW artists are already looking into alternatives should the Great Meltdown indeed take place. For those of you out there who happen to read this, know that if you’re looking into building a WordPress site perhaps I can help for that’s one of the services I provide. Feel free to reach out, okay? I built my own site from scratch a while back so… I hope everyone affected by this change of policy lands on their feet and finds a way to rebuild all the work and connections they’re sure to lose.

I could type more but I won’t. I didn’t use Tumblr as much as other folks but it’s a shame to see stuff like this happen. It’s censorship pure and simple, and it sucks. Be well, everyone.