D&D 5E D&D Beyond Self-Censorship: Pride Month Digital Dice Blocked In Some Countries

[Guest 7034872]

Well two reasons I can think of. One, different laws and judicial systems. And Two, in Wyoming WotC clearly understands their legal rights and social risks; while in Turkey they probably don't.

It is true that mastery of legal codes in countries to which one is not native gets awfully tricky--that's right. And it may well be that WotC was just trying to cover its collective butt here and avoid trouble with a bunch of governments all in one quickly-designed policy, so I won't call them names for that.

I still think Ondath and Ondath's friends ought to get some kind of accommodation/assistance from WotC on this, though: D&D fans should be encouraged in their fandom. What they're asking for in this case seems neither onerous nor dangerous.

 

[Flamestrike]

Surely this is WOTC trying to be inclusive (indeed going out of their way to do so), while also being conservative so as to avoid getting sued (or being charged with a criminal offence) in certain jurisdictions.

I mean there are 7 States in the USA that prohibit promotion of LGBTI issues in schools (Alabama, Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas). The UK had recent laws (passed by Thatcher) that banned promotion of LGBTI stuff in schools and by local authorities as well.

Places like Hungary and Russia have laws that make promotion of LGBTI issues to children (under 18s, and remember, we're talking about a game here) a crime:

Hungary passes law banning 'promotion' of homosexuality to minors - France 24

The following countries have flat out bans on 'homosexual propaganda' where this promotion would be unlawful (and could see Hasbro fined or worse):

In the following map, red = death penalty for homosexuality, and orange and yellow is prison time:

Directing angst at WOTC is insane here. Direct your angst elsewhere, using the above map as a good place to start.

 

[Ondath]

Surely this is WOTC trying to be inclusive (indeed going out of their way to do so), while also being conservative so as to avoid getting sued (or being charged with a criminal offence) in certain jurisdictions.

I mean there are 7 States in the USA that prohibit promotion of LGBTI issues in schools (Alabama, Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas). The UK had recent laws (passed by Thatcher) that banned promotion of LGBTI stuff in schools and by local authorities as well.

Places like Hungary and Russia have laws that make promotion of LGBTI issues to children (under 18s, and remember, we're talking about a game here) a crime:

Hungary passes law banning 'promotion' of homosexuality to minors - France 24

The following countries have flat out bans on 'homosexual propaganda' where this promotion would be unlawful (and could see Hasbro fined or worse):

View attachment 250584

In the following map, red = death penalty for homosexuality, and orange and yellow is prison time:

View attachment 250583

Directing angst at WOTC is insane here. Direct your angst elsewhere, using the above map as a good place to start.

You'll notice that Turkey is not marked in any of those maps as particularly limited or dangerous for LGBT people. The cultural attitudes are no different than that of Poland, for instance, and I know my Polish friends could claim these dice without issue. I really don't want to shift to an angrier tone here, but what is it with you guys and defending a multi-billion dollar company for a bad decision that they could've very easily avoided by not doing anything?

 

[Ondath]

Also to give an update on the situation: Since I couldn't get a lot of traction from Twitter, I submitted a ticket to D&D Beyond asking whether they could reconsider their regional content blocking policy (at least for Turkey). If I get an answer, I'll write it here.

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

We have to accept maybe behind the curtains some facts are happening and we know nothing. Maybe Hasbro is talking with foreign companies for possible deals of partnership or economic investments, causing a pressure to be more "ideologically neutral".

We know WotC has tried to be gay-friendly, even publishing cards of Magic about the pride month, but also they "retconected" Chandra the pryomancer, because China has got certain rules.

Other theory is marketing strategies are advicing to avoid certain threats for family-friendly franchises, because there is a growing boycott against companies who support certain threats. Let's say if you sell merchandising products about Los Angeles Lakers don't hope these to be bought by the supporters of Chicago Bulls. (if you allow me this example to try explain it softer and politely).

WotC hasn't become homophobic, but "my parents have said me we shouldn't be seen together any more".

 

[Flamestrike]

You'll notice that Turkey is not marked in any of those maps as particularly limited or dangerous for LGBT people.

Mate, there are literally thousands of different legal jurisdictions. There are 51 in the USA alone.

You cant expect WOTC's lawyers to know all of them, and the reality is Turkey does have some prohibitions against 'LGBTI propaganda' (even if they're not applicable in this case).

Your anger should be directed at Turkey. Not WOTC.

 

[Azzy]

Mate, there are literally thousands of different legal jurisdictions. There are 51 in the USA alone.

You cant expect WOTC's lawyers to know all of them, and the reality is Turkey does have some prohibitions against 'LGBTI propaganda' (even if they're not applicable in this case).

Your anger should be directed at Turkey. Not WOTC.

Your stance is petulant and ignorant. Especially in the face of everything that Ondath has said about their home country.

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

Also to give an update on the situation: Since I couldn't get a lot of traction from Twitter, I submitted a ticket to D&D Beyond asking whether they could reconsider their regional content blocking policy (at least for Turkey). If I get an answer, I'll write it here.

You could ask on the forums. Either the Bugs and Support Forum or the General Discussion one might get some traction.

 

[Greg Benage]

I really don't want to shift to an angrier tone here, but what is it with you guys and defending a multi-billion dollar company for a bad decision that they could've very easily avoided by not doing anything?

My post could have been interpreted as "defending" Wizards, but I was really just sharing my expectation of how they likely set and administer legal policy. You have every right to criticize them for this kind of bare-minimum, checkbox advocacy/allyship/whatever-the-term-is. It's kind of what you'd expect from corporate virtue-signaling.

I'd be inclined to slam them, too, except that -- in my experience -- the decision-makers rarely greenlight even the checkbox advocacy without the efforts of rank-and-file employees who are actually passionate about the cause.

 

[Ondath]

My post could have been interpreted as "defending" Wizards, but I was really just sharing my expectation of how they likely set and administer legal policy. You have every right to criticize them for this kind of bare-minimum, checkbox advocacy/allyship/whatever-the-term-is. It's kind of what you'd expect from corporate virtue-signaling.

I'd be inclined to slam them, too, except that -- in my experience -- the decision-makers rarely greenlight even the checkbox advocacy without the efforts of rank-and-file employees who are actually passionate about the cause.

I didn't have your comment in mind when typing that!

On another note, I'd recommend you delete the term that rhymes with curfew bingling as it has been used too much as a dogwhistle by bad faith actors and it's against forum policy IIRC.