Facebook "re-evaluates" decision to censor trans man's post-op chest pics
INTERNET / "We encourage Mr Scaia to upload the photos again," says Facebook, after saying pic was too graphic
Jenn Ruddy / National / Friday, January 15, 2010
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POST-OP. Dominic Scaia's most recent Facebook profile picture, shortly before he was banned on Dec 20.
(courtesy of Dominic Scaia)
Facebook has re-evaluated its decision to censor a Calgary trans man's post-op chest pics. A spokesperson told Xtra late Friday that Dominic Scaia is free to reupload the pictures, citing the importance of raising awareness about trans issues.

In a partial victory yesterday, Facebook reinstated Scaia's account after he was banned on Dec 20, but the site warned Scaia not to re-upload his post-op chest pics because they violated the terms of service for containing "nudity or other graphic or sexually suggestive content."

But since yesterday, Facebook has changed its tone. In an email sent to Xtra on Friday evening, a Facebook spokesperson had this to say:
 
"I went back to our team here to ensure that we were being consistent in our review, and upon further consideration, the team has concluded that the photos do not violate our standards for graphic imagery and can be allowed. While we strive to apply our policies as consistently as possible, with over 350 million users on Facebook there may be instances when we fail to do this and we do our best to rectify these situations as swiftly as possible. We encourage Mr Scaia to upload the photos again if he would like to make them viewable on his profile.

We continuously re-evaluate all of our policies to make sure that they remain relevant and useful, and our policies surrounding graphic imagery are no exception. These have continued to evolve as we’ve seen how potentially graphic content can be used to create awareness and educate users about a particular issue. Last year’s protests in Iran – and even today’s crisis in Haiti – are poignant examples of this."
 
During an email exchange between Facebook and Xtra early Friday, Facebook implied that Scaia's photos were banned not because of nudity, but because of the post-surgical scarring:

"A photo of a shirtless transgendered man would not violate our policies, assuming there was no other content in the photo that violated our Statement of Rights and Responsibilities,” a Facebook spokesperson told Xtra. "There are a number of reasons why photos might violate our Statement of Rights and Responsibilities, including if they contain graphic content such as post-surgical imagery."

Read more about Dominic Scaia's story in our earlier coverage
 


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Reader Comments

These reader comments are posted directly. No editorial review is made prior to posting. Readers may contact the moderator with any complaints or concerns, and these will be reviewed within two business days.

 
Kudos to Facebook...
Times really are a changin here in the States!! Finnally!!!
Crista, Decatur/Illinois USA
01/17/10 3:56 AM EST
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See
He has tooo many people on his side for all this crap. Theres a ton of transmen with pot op pics scarring and all. The need to continue to review those policies and make them strict but sensitive as well.
Antoyneo Robinson, Brooklyn NY
01/18/10 3:11 PM EST
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Freedom From Duality
I find it interesting yet concerning that those who find themselves comfortable being either male or female, feel the need to define, categorise and pigeon hole others to be less worthy or exceptable than their definition of right or not right, to blend into their idea of correct or worthy. Diversity is what makes this whole planet "beautiful & Unique", imagine if a young tree decided its old growth neighbor was unacceptable, what would happen? we would'nt have old growth forrest or renewal because the many require each other to survive, what if a man or womyn was drowning & the only person around to throw them a lifeline was trans - FTM or MTF, would you discriminate then or would you welcome the help from a fellow human being? Every single being deserves to be treated with unconditional positive regard. Nothing is black & white or left or right, its actually a paradox, yellow can come in many shades or variations & so too do humans. Isnt it time people got with the program and relised that there between the two extremes lies a middle road that embraces diversity and ones "right" to be the Best they can be?! Regardless of definition or Labelling others unacceptable... Labels are for soup cans and discrimination itself belongs "only" to those who look in the mirror of self. People Are People, all colors, shapes & Sexes, keep it that way.....
Lee Dunwoodie, Gippsland Victoria
02/14/10 5:18 AM EST
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