LJ Advisory Board: getting things done -- Emerging Sun v-gift

[rm]

Some of you may remember the recent issue when LJ/SUP removed many popular interests from the top 100 interests list. These included hobbies like fanfiction, but also, alarmingly, references to depression. In my many comments in the LJ communities asking about this, I noted that one of the things LJ/SUP could do to redress this situation (which they state was an accident, but that I feel the userbase has not received satisfactory details on) was put their money where their mouth was and donate funds to organizations supporting groups that appeared to be targeted. My suggestions included several LGBT rights groups, the Comic Book Defense Fund, suicide prevention groups and more.

Today and throughout the month you can buy an Emerging Sun v-gift for charity. All money raised form purchase of the vgift will go to the Depression and Bipolar Alliance, which works around the world to provide support services to people and their loved ones living with these illnesses.

marta was gracious enough to keep me apprised that this was happening and also asked for my input on the final selected design. Another similar vgift address a different issue is also in the works for a future month, and we've had discussions about that as well. Hopefully it will receive final approval from the LJ powers that be and there will be another small dose of good news to report then.

While I don't think this entirely solves or mitigates the issue it arose out of; this is a good thing and a step in the right direction when it comes to acknowledging the degree to which many people living with mental health concerns use LJ both for fun and for community resources on these issues.

It also demonstrates that it is possible for LJ/SUP to work with its userbase; next time, I hope that can happen proactively as opposed to in response to anther misstep and crisis.

Comments

[annablume.livejournal.com]

I don't understand. As an apology, I can now donate money to a charity? Who's apologizing? Me or them?

[rm.livejournal.com]

Sorry, I worte this late at night.

It's not the apology the users have asked for or deserved. But it is, at least, an acknowlegemetn on their part that there are lots of people dealing with depression and other mental health issues on this site and that LJ/SUP should not (and hopefully wil not again) attempt to make them invisible.

[upstart-crow.livejournal.com]

Edited. Because I didn't realize the link did not go to an actual apology as well.

This is nice, and the charity they have chosen is good. But until LJ/SUP tells me and other depressives, point blank, that "we are sorry for shrugging you off and pretending that you don't exist just like the rest of abelist society does" I'm still going to be furious at them.

[upstart-crow.livejournal.com]

Racheline, I also plan on making a post on Monday about why I support your candidacy. The first point will be your involvement in the DBA charity V-gift and your tireless advocacy for LJers with mental illnesses. Just a heads up :)