Nudity vs. Child Avatar Policy Update Poll
Policies
Overview
Recently Linden Lab announced an update to their Child Avatar Policy along with a FAQ.
The changes were intended to address sexualized ageplay between child and adult avatars, but the clarification seems to imply that if a child avatar is in the presence of nude avatars where nudity is promoted or accepted as a normal custom in that region, this will not be permitted, even if there is no sexual activity present.
This suggests that at Burn2, a Moderate rated region, child avatars should not be permitted, because they may encounter nude avatars. Art may also be featured that shows nudity.
On the other hand, avatar nudity has been a normal, accepted custom of life in Burn2 (bits are not to be visibly aroused). Sexual behaviour on Burn2's regions is not permitted, however.
CONSIDERATIONS
Ban on Nudity
A ban would include a ban on partial exposure of breasts, buttocks or other genitalia and clothing highlighting these areas of the body, including sheer clothing.
A ban on nudity would include a ban on nude images displayed in camps and on art, as well as limiting content in events that feature sexually suggestive content such as burlesque shows and fashion shows.
Ban on Child Avatars
A child avatar would be defined as:
"1) an avatar whose appearance is unmistakably a child, or
2) who through conduct or through content on their profile is explicitly or impliedly under an age of consent."
Burn2 Events that feature children would not be permitted.
Impacts
- Nudity is historically accepted in Burn2 as a form of self-expression. Burn2 does not PROMOTE nudity. Sexual Activity will remain banned at Burn2.
- Certain events that feature even patial nudity or sexually suggestive activity, such as Burlesque shows and Fashion shows would not be permitted, or would be restricted to the guidelines of the policy.
- Given the diversity in costuming at Burn2, it may be difficult to create a policy that does not overly-restrict traditional Burning Man activities and traditions
- A ban on nudity would present challenges enforcing the policy Additional staff would be required and defining violations may be too subjective to do evenly.
- A ban on nudity would mean that Burn2 could be accountable for the presence of nudity at burn if the Burn2 SIMs are not A-rated and Child Avs are allowed to be, or are present.
- Both nudity and child avatars are forms of radical self-expression. Nobody is being excluded by either ban. Only the manner in which they may express themselves at Burn2 is being affected.
Impacts
- We have some members of Burn2 who are exclusively in child avatars. Although, they do not act like kids.
- Child avatars that are able to access M rated regions are actually RL adults with child avatar appearance. They can age up or choose to use an adult avatar to enter the region - this implies we might have to go to an "A" rating.
- One way to avoid permitting child avatars would be to have Burn2 regions become "A" rated - less policing and less liability for Burn2 leadership/management. The child avatar that comes to the region would be the violator, not Burn2. However, as an M-rated SIM we would require signage throughout an event displaying our policy to ensure compliance.
- Certain Burn2 participants who regularly participate as child avatars may feel excluded.
- A ban on nudity would mean that Burn2 could be accountable for the presence of nudity at Burn2 if the Burn2 SIMs are not A-rated and Child Avs are allowed to be, or are present.
- Both nudity and child avatars are forms of radical self-expression. Nobody is being excluded by either ban. Only the manner in which they may express themselves at Burn2 is being affected.
Our Dilemma
Based on the clarification from Linden Lab we seem to have a binary choice to make: child avatars or nudity.
We want the input of the Burn2 community here, to guide us in what we should incorporate as our policy in this case. Please submit your choice in the poll below, and submit only ONCE. After the poll closes, we will review the results and share with the community, then follow up with an update to Burn2's nudity policy.