I just tried looking up an IS group I used to be on in MSN Groups, and when I put "intersex" in the search bar at groups.msn.com I got " Unable to complete
The group description you entered cannot be used. Please enter an alternate description." I was able to find results under "transgender" but not "intersex" or "transsexual." I was wondering whether anyone knew whether this is a glitch on MSN's part, or whether something like what happened in 2002 where you hot a "we can't look this up because it might be adult content" when looking up those terms on MSN.com? I''ve been able to look up "transsexual" and "intersex" on MSN.com but not groups.msn.com. Any ideas, anyone?
"

Try not using any term/word with sex in it.

that's not a realisitc solution, as transsexuals and intersex people will be looking for info and resources under those words. In fact, the first incident with MSN generated similar "just don't type sex" replies. What was going on was that MSN would not reset their anti-porn filters to allow lookinmg up non-porn TS or IS stuff. It took a mont or two of campaigning by a coalition to change it. I'm trying to find out how to get in touch with MSN to find out what the actual situation is before assuming that the same thing is happeneing now.

Have you tried looking them up on Google?

I avoid all listserv groups but found this contact information for you: http://groups.msn.com/contact

Betsy

__________________
Until you've lost your reputation, you never realize what a burden it was or what freedom really is. --Margaret Mitchell

Thanks, I wrote them, if they do not reply or reply in a hostile manner, I will do what people did in 2002, which would be sic TG and IS groups on em. I myself don't depend on listservs but when I'm trying to fiigre out what I'm still subscribed to and they won't let me do thst and that may be cause they got a problem with IS ffolks and TS folks, then I'm not sitting for that.

Cynthya, if you push the ball into a rolling state and discover the issues are related to out and out censorship, you know you will have the support of Bodies Like Ours. I am just too unfamiliar with the listserv enviroment to do it without guidance.

Betsy

__________________
Until you've lost your reputation, you never realize what a burden it was or what freedom really is. --Margaret Mitchell

Betsy, I never doubted that I have your support, I doubted that there'd be any way to prove MSN has issues with folks like us rather than a simple glitch, here is their reply to my email thru the link you posted, to me it seems more like discrimination, even if they don't intend it, let me know what you think--Cynthya

From: "MSN Groups Customer Support" <msngroups_us@css.one.microsoft.com> Add to Address Book
To: barbieboy001@yahoo.com
Subject: CST164980724ID - RE:Comment or suggestion
Date: Fri, 18 Jun 2004 05:20:09 -0700



Hello Cynthya,


Thank you for writing to us and providing MSN Groups with the opportunity to be of service to you.

I understand that you are being told that you cannot look for any groups regarding these issues when you tried to use these keywords. I know how inconvenient this can be.

In order to provide an environment that is clean and safe for everyone to enjoy, we have added a very thorough profanity filter, which may have been triggered by language you were using. We suggest you rephrase your search question.

Should you have other concerns regarding MSN Groups, please feel free to write again. We will be more than happy to assist you.


Sincerely,

Mae
MSN Groups Customer Support

MSN Groups has comprehensive online help available to you. For more information about features, functions, and issues, click the Help link at the top of any Groups page along with Home and My Groups.

If we don't talk about sex, then surely it means it doesn't exist, right?

I'll write them a note in the next few days.

Betsy

__________________
Until you've lost your reputation, you never realize what a burden it was or what freedom really is. --Margaret Mitchell