Facebook Rejects Lesbian Film Ad
Filmmaker Ellen Seidler told SheWired.com that Facebook sent her a rejection notice saying the image was "either irrelevant or inappropriate." The letter went on to spell out that, "Images that are overly explicit, provocative, or that reveal too much skin are not allowed. Images that may either degrade or idealize any health condition or body type are also not allowed."
However, a quick perusal of ads on Facebook (which users can mark as inappropriate themselves if they are offended) show plenty of images of women and men in far less clothing, covered in blood, or in a (straight) lover's embrace. It would appear that, while certainly playful and suggestive, what really has the Facebook ad approvers worried is that the image is of three lesbians.
'And Then Came Lola' has a Facebook fan page, which has become a place for the filmmakers to draw attention to the double standard being applied by the social networking service when it comes to ads. They've posted images of several Facebook-approved ads that the creators feel are just as suggestive, if not more so, than their own rejected advertisement.
Facebook hasn't responded yet, so we'll hold off on throwing rotten fruit for the moment, but the company is going to have to some serious digging to get themselves out of this hole. [From: Jezebel and SheWired.com]
Are These Games Too Sexy?
While recent game titles have attracted media attention for nudity and sexual situations, risque role-playing games have existed since PC gaming first began. Early games, such as 'Sex Games' for the Commodore 64, demanded specific commands, such as "remove pants," and required specific sequential actions to achieve one's nefarious goals. Currently, a plethora of games with bawdy scenes have invaded, or graced, the gaming world and vary in degrees of lewdness. Here are a few significant titles with prevalent or graphic bawdiness:
'God of War I & II:'
Press the right buttons, and gently twirl the thumbstick, to see the climax of mini-games in both God of War I and II for PS2 and PSP
'Grand Theft Auto III (consoles)'
The infamous "don't come a knockin'" prostitute scenes created a stir when GTA 3 was originally released for PS2.
'Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude; Box Office or Bust' (for consoles):
These most recent incarnations continue to follow the exploits of love lorn Larry in versions for both PC and next gen consoles
'Leisure Suit Larry 3: Passionate in Pursuit of the Pulsating Pectorals' (for PC)
Released in 1989 for PCs, this third installment of the groundbreaking franchise of risque role playing preceded GTA 4 by 20 years when the title character shows the full Larry in an infamous shower scene
'Mass Effect:'
The backlash from FoxNews greatly exaggerated the tame innuendo and implied relations between the two sapphic lovers in Xbox's Mass Effect.
'Playboy: The Mansion' (consoles):
Disappointingly demure, perhaps the highlight of this sojourn to the mansion is playing photographer in this release for PC, PS2 and Xbox
'Rapelay:'
Amazon removed listings for this disturbing, yet readily available in Japan, DVD-ROM in which the main character stalks and, to put it mildly, torments young girls.
'The Sims;' nude patch:
Denisons of young gamers were disappointed when learning that unblurred nudity in this game for PCs, consoles, and handhelds required downloading a censor patch
'Soul Calibur' (consoles):
The character Taki from the Soul Calibur franchise continues to titillate thousands of pubescent gamers in versions for every console.
_thumbnail.jpg "Vintage Keyboards")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 10)
author30 said 1:50AM on 4-28-2009
This is ridiculous. The only reason this picture was rejected is that it shows women together in this embrace. If it were men and women, Facebook wouldn't have rejected it. Facebook has many, many gay and lesbian users and this discrimination is going to cause them to lose the support of thousands. I hope they will re-consider their decision.
Reply
asdfasdfasdf said 4:46PM on 5-22-2009
Oh really? Are you sure about that? You got the corporate memo from Facebook?
Facebook does have homosexual ads. They just didn't approve this one. So what? It's Facebook's website, so it's Facebook's opinion that matters.
Nimue said 6:17AM on 4-28-2009
You know what I notice. AOL at least once a week has to pick on facebook. Look within yourself AOL. I'm sure a lot of people could make comments about the substandard product you deliver like 1/2 the articles that are on this site that make it to headlines, not to mention some of the writters.
Reply
DJT2005 said 7:26AM on 4-28-2009
If you don't like it, make your own website.
Reply
Alison Draper said 8:54AM on 4-28-2009
If YOU don't like it, get a new on-line! Get real!
DJT2005 said 6:00PM on 4-29-2009
Yeah Alison, I remember when I was 12 and said stuff like that.
Not a white guy said 12:05PM on 4-30-2009
Yea Alison, its 12PM, go back to class.
Ruttroh24 said 7:25AM on 4-28-2009
We have bigger problems people. There are people who like the same sex. Get over it. So what? Popeye, no one is forcing anything on you. It is what it is. You don't have to look. I am hetero but I could care less who someone else wants to be with. I have better things to worry about.
Reply
Audrey said 8:54AM on 4-28-2009
I see kids on that sight and I don't think it;s apprpriate for children. I personally don't think face book is for kids under 17, but thats just me. My Nine year old wants an account because some of her friends have one but I won't back down. If any parents are using this don't let your kids be on those type of websites.
freediverdude said 10:01AM on 4-28-2009
I agree with you- gays and gay marriage should be a really SMALL blip on the radar compared to things like health insurance, unemployment, the homeless, etc. People let's solve everyone's basic needs before we start getting our panties in a wad over things like two people of the same sex being together.
Dnerd said 7:37AM on 4-28-2009
I agree with most of the comments here. Leave them the hell alone. Make your own social networking website if you have a problem with that.
Reply
dutchessagain said 8:15AM on 4-28-2009
Seriously.. if people find that photo offensive then they need to rethink how the rest of main-stream America advertises. The Levi commerical with two teens and racing to take thier jeans off and see eachother. What about every single time you walk into a mall and Abercrombie & Fitch has very revealing advertisment (actually, I just looked at the website and the current full page photo is a guy with his hands down his jean front). So for those that find the 3 women offensive.. its for purely sexual reasons. I find it ironic since so many men seem to have the 3some fantasy... perhaps they are just upset they got blocked by another woman? Point it.. its advertising, it makes people look and remember the movie etc. I find little purple stuffed animals annoying.. but its advertising. Im straight and it doesnt phase me a bit.. other than to be happy that America is finally going to become more and more non-judgemental and less bias towards what SOME think is proper. To each thier own, love and live and do so however you want.
Reply
horiz2win said 12:54PM on 4-28-2009
So in other words, if everyone is doing it, its ok? right?
Allie said 6:52AM on 5-27-2009
didn't your mother ever teach you that just because others are doing it, doesn't make it right?
lildoxielvr1 said 8:58AM on 4-28-2009
Facebook is a little scary, imo. First the announcement that Facebook would "own" everything that gets posted to use as it wishes (it later backed down, but it still retains content indefinately), and now this. I don't care about the ad one way or another, but the article makes a good point. Clearly a double standard. If Facebook is afraid a thought of three clothed women is offensive, it obviously doesn't look at most of it's current content.
Reply
Billy THERE U R! said 9:00AM on 4-28-2009
Wow such Homo-Phobic Ignorant People we have in our Country, No wonder we're trying to kill each other with Hate, Weapons, and Fear.
The "NEW" American Way? What a Waste.
Lets just keep Hurting Each other for Nothing and Keep Watching America Tank like its been doing.
Until we Love each other NOTHING will be Accomplished in our Country or the world for that Matter but the Rest of the World is Far More Civil and Tolerant than the Bigoted USA Majority.
Whatever...... I have No Hope in you people what so ever.
Cheers! ; D
Reply
Baldcougar23 said 11:19AM on 4-28-2009
You have got to be kidding. The rest of the world is more tolerant and civil then the USA. Wow. That's the most ignorant thing I've read in a very long time. People are murdered and thrown in mass graves all over this world because of their beliefs or non-beliefs by tyrannical rulers. We have the ability to sit at keyboards and discuss a rainbow of topics without fear of being hunted down. And you have the audacity to say we don't deserve your faith. Billy, go find somewhere else to live, and do it quickly please.
Audrey said 9:03AM on 4-28-2009
I don't think they should use sex period to sell anything. It's getting a little out of hand when I am watching T.v. ans am imbarressed by a comercial because my six year old son is right there. Thats why are kids are starting to have sex at 12 because they see sex all around them and we think it's ok. I am not prude I watch porn with my hubby but we keep it away from our children. We need to stand up and fight for our kids. They do not need to see sex in every commercial. Do you really need to use sex to sell rice? Come on.
Reply
philbabso said 9:11AM on 4-28-2009
Something smells fishy !!
Reply
Christy said 9:11AM on 4-28-2009
I do not feel the ad is appropriate. Personally, I do not want to see this type of ad with heterosexual or homosexual content. Facebook is a networking opportunity to connect with friends and family. I do not mind advertisements now and then....however, i see no reason why they have to be sexual in nature. This forces people to see images that may be offensive to them. It should be about respect of ALL people. Why even cross sexual boundaries?
Reply