More on the "Gang of Homos" Controversy

 

Several days ago, the Newser reported on the Bella Epoque store having to move after the landlord Lighthouse (landland.ansar) evicted the owner, Jani La Belle (Janire Coba), she posting that this was done so out of discrimination, showing him making a "Gang of homo" comment. The response was much support for her and condemnation of him. Since then, Lighthouse finally answered the Newser. But more details have come out, such as someone else going over to talk to him, as well as looking around, and feeling things aren't adding up. 

Read more in People. 

 

Store Owner Evicted, Landlord Upset Over "Gang of Homos"

 

Bella Epoque is a store some who were at the Fantasy Faire may remember as the one who supplied the outfit for the Fairlands Quest this year (and earlier). It's got a huge amount of items, over 5600 listed on it's Marketplace page. But the store's inworld location has recently changed after it's landlord suddenly demaned they leave. 

It's owner, Jani La Belle (Janire Coba), explained the situation on her Flickr.

BELLE EPOQUE MOVING!

Hello all. Due to homophobic reasons from Lighthouse (landland.ansar) the owner of the sim, I had to find a new home for belle Epoque. I already have one, i am just rezzing all my stuff again. Please be patient for a couple of days while it's under construction! Love you all!

She posted a picture of a message from the landlord, "Please do me a favor and I don't want even on my sim you rent from me as well dont want to see you face you and your f**ken s**t friends. gang of homo." 

 

I contacted Jani, and she stated the move was going well, "I got a new land and started rezzing everything, ans today store was open. And I got massive support from the SL community." She stated she hadn't had any trouble from the landlord before, "Not at all. My store has been there for 10 years. I asked him for a little land for a fundraising event, he said yes, and when he saw my friends are lesbians, went all sexist homophobic, disrespected them, banned them, asked me to move the charity event out of his land, and then banned me from my sim and returned my store. 

 

"Yes, he called us GANG OF HOMO, and yes we proudly are (smiles)."

 

I asked how long would it take for the store to be in full operation.  She answered, "I did my best and worked my a** off. In a couple of days the store will be ready 100% And the landscaper will go decorate when she has time, it'll look great."

 

Of the previous landlord, Landland Ansar, "His profile is, something. ... you can read his profile to have an idea of his, ideas." For years, there was no trouble with him at all, "I just paid regularly and never talked to him, and he never talked to me." Then last year, things started to change, "I had a little issue with him last year when he started asking me for items for his parties and complained they we're not clothing. Then (he) started giving me tips for my business, about making clothes for men etc. He was pesting me so i asked him not to tell me how to run my business." Of his profile, "10 years ago his profile was empty, only picks to his rental office."

 

She wasn't letting the incident get her down. In fact, she was taking the phrase and quite literally wearing it as a badge of honor, issuing tee shirts with the words "Gang of Homos."

Belle Epoque GIFT

So, as most of you probably know by now, I had to move Belle Epoque because of some good ol’ homophobia. But instead of letting it get me down, I’ve decided to flip the script and have some fun with it.

Introducing -  the GANG OF HOMO CHALLENGE!

Put on your Gang of Homo tee, snap a pic, send it to the one who dropped the oh-so-charming comment, and send me a screenshot so we can laugh our homo little a**es off together!  Let’s turn shade into sparkle, babes! 

 

Many have responded to Jani, offering her well wishes and expressing shock and surprise at the situation. "Wow! That is absolutely appalling behavior." "Oh, it's disgusting!" "...I'm very sorry for this unpleasant and disgusting situation and I'm glad you're working on a solution!" "So sorry Jani. You are a very talented artist, and will find a sim worth your creativity." Yours truly found out through a Fantasy Faire fan on a Discord channel. 

 

Of her work in the Fantasy Faire, "I am a world builder, region sponsor and sim designer, and I design the quest outfits too."

 

Jani would say, "I want to add that I won't tolerate any kind of intolerance, there'll ALWAYS be a response to any kind of violence against a vulnerable community. And we're a proud GANG OF HOMOS. And please thank the sl community and the support i've received inworld and in social media."

 

The Newser reached out to Landland for comment. But as of the writing of this article, there has been no response yet. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

How to Prevent And Deal With Doxing

 

After some time away to take care of matters, Angel Fencer is back. Sadly, one of the matters she had to deal with was being doxed and harrassed online. In her article today, she talks about her experience with the issue, and what to do about it should it happen to you.

Read Angel's story in Extra.
 

Cyberbullying and Linden Lab

Cyberbullying is an issue that has been making the news lately. Usually the incidents that get attention are in popular social media, such as Facebook. But it's not just there that bullying and harassment online take place. It can also occur within Second Life. Tiddily Winks had a friend whom was the unfortunate target of bullying and harassment. So what did it take to finally get Linden Lab to act?

Read Tiddily's article in People.

Avatar Discrimination: A Club Gives Furs the Boot

While checking out a club that appears on the "A List" group, Grease Coakes got a rude reception from the host. He wasn't questioned about his language, behavior, or the clothes he had on. No, he was tossed out of the club because they didn't like his choice of avatar.

Grease writes about his experience in People.