Hey, Facebook, breastfeeding is not obscene!

[solomonj]

For anyone who uses Facebook, sign up for the Facebook
group "Hey, Facebook, breastfeeding is not obscene!" as well, since
Facebook doesn't allow photos of "indiscreet" nursing mothers.

Article about it at
http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/07...t-on-facebook/

----------
ARTICLE:
A dispute is erupting between breast feeding activists (known as
"lactivists") and Facebook over pictures of breast feeding on Facebook.

Facebook has taken down pictures of users breast feeding, and has even
gone as far as banning users completely on the basis that the pictures
constitute "obscene content." Suffice to say the lactivists aren't the
least bit happy.

According to a SMH report, lactivists complained that their images
were removed despite the fact they contained no nipple, questioning
the logic of the Facebook obscenity accusations: "Where does the
feeding stop and the boob begin?? A peek of nipple?" Where indeed.

Facebook spokeswoman Meredith Chin said Facebook does not prevent
lactivists from uploading photos of themselves breastfeeding, but went
on to say "Photos containing an exposed breast do violate our Terms
and are removed". Now I might be male so I have no recent first hand
experience but I'm confused as to how breast feeding cannot include
breasts?

The lactivists are calling for supporters to join their Facebook group
Hey, Facebook, breastfeeding is not obscene!, which currently has over
7000 members.
--------

Solomon
http://solomonj.blogspot.com
http://drygoodsnotes.blogspot.com

[MichelleAnnette]

I'm a member! I have been having my own little facebook drama regarding this. I discovered that the facebook police are not stalking me - someone on my friends list was reporting me (although I don't know who). I wrote a "note" to all my friends explaining the situation and put everyone on my limited profile list. I asked my friends to post under my "note" or message me promising me that they would not report me. I then allowed those people to see my pics (nursing ones included). I invited all my friends to join the group, including the person who reported me. I like to call myself a "breastfeeding missionary." And my nursing pics aren't coming down again! I've had no more problems.

[MilkTrance]

This is why I only have real friends on my Facebook. No friend-of-a-friend stuff anymore, as pretty creepy things have happened to me as a result of just adding anyone. It's sad, but some people really have no life.

Sorry to be OT

[Devaskyla]

Thanks for the heads-up. I just joined the group.

[goodheartedmama]

I got a nasty message from a "friend" on there about my pictures. Not sure why you wouldn't just delete me as your friend, instead of viewing the pictures and getting mad. On top of this, they were in a breastfeeding group album, not even my personal photos!

[saimeiyu]

Thanks!

Hey, thanks for the heads-up about the group... I joined the group and sent invitations to my sister for her to join, too.

I've heard that Myspace did some deleting of BFing pics, does anyone know if there's a similar problem there? Is there a similar group on Myspace?

[Meiri]

So, do they take down the photos of semi-disrobed teenagers (sometimes engaging in underage drinking too)? I mean, if they don't want breast photos...would those not count too?

[prettypixels]

I'm just going to put this out there... in the case of Myspace they actually did take down a bunch of suggestive sites I sent them. The rule on myspace is nothing sexually suggestive and NO NUDITY. No nudity means no areola. I'm guessing the rules are the same on facebook. I know some moms just have big areolas and that does not make photos of their breastfeeding sexually suggestive, but they are trying to apply these rules fairly to everyone. I do not think facebook or myspace "have it in" for lactivists.

Unless they really are taking down EVERY photo of breastfeeding moms... and if we need to test that out I'd be glad to join up and post some photos!

[nicole moore]

I just found out and am enraged!!!

I have a breastfeeding picture on my facebook account - guess what? It is becoming my new profile pic!!! I didn't consider myself a hardcore activist until now. Feeding a child is never obscene. (I know you mommas all know that though)

[mommyfied]

I like the idea of the protest, but organizing it on facebook is only giving them more revenue, especially considering all the press this is getting.

[Zadee]

I joined, and posted one of my breastfeeding videos in the group. I wonder if it will stay or if I bare too much nipple...

[absmith]

support for breastfeeding parents

I am a grandmother and did my breastfeeding three decades ago. There have been significant changes in atttudes and pratices in infant care since. I say: continue your use of photographs as you wish. It is a process of education. If it means that at the extreme end of the spectrum of respose mounting a campaign to quit facebook 'en mass'...?
It is necessary to de-eroticize our breasts.
In Ontario we had a legal decision a few years ago which made it legal for women to be topless in a public place. What seems most important to me is that mothers not be isolated in their homes.

[MilkTrance]

I just joined and posted some commentary and beautiful paintings.

[babylove2007]

I'm in that group. Why are there so many threads being started by anti-NIP trolls over the last few days about "be polite" and "be discreet?"??

[lifescholar]

Did everyone see the two videos of CTV newscasts re: Facebook?? I thought both women (Dani and Karen) were WONDERFUL speakers, and both stories were done quite well. The one about Karen was VERY pro-breastfeeding.

Also, it was on the FRONT PAGE of the Toronto Start last week!! Woo hoo!

[Village Mama]

I put a couple of pics up on the group and now am being sent messages by random men. Guess I should have known better! lol ewww!

[Village Mama]

I love those paintings by the way MilkTrance!

[sunflowerkelli]

I started that group!

We have over 18,000 members now. That's up about 15,000 in 2 weeks. Yay for NIP!