Policy Change: Prohibiting Items and Listings That Disparage or Promote Hate

Thank you!!!!!!!!

equity is really important to protect and promote. thank you.

Very gray area to touch on........

Thank you Etsy!

Very excited to hear this.

Etsy is right to do so in my opinion - it is your site at the end of the day - if want to sell here, we read your rules.

I am SO relieved to read about these essential changes. Thank you.

Very good article! Thanks!

Thank you Etsy!

I agree with the new changes. Great job!

slippery slope

THANKS ETSY :)

Very good.

Thank you for this.

This is a much needed policy and is welcomed in the Etsy community. Thank you!

Thanks!

So you will not be allowing items that mock religion anymore either? Wonderful!

too right! we want to keep the nice community feel. I welcome the changes

Thank you.

Intolerance should not be tolerated!

Very slippery slope, Etsy.

Thank you!!! :)

Dear Adam, Thanks. I actually am recently returning to the Etsy community and part of the reason I stayed away was I was not comfortable with some of the items that I would be added into treasuries with, or that I would find while randomly browsing. This is good, and I am proud of Etsy for making these changes! yay!

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREAT

I totally agree with your changes. Thank you!!

Thank you!!

You are doing the right thing. Thank you.

Awesome. Go Etsy!

Finally!! I AM SO HAPPY that these changes are going through!! Everyone should be respectful to everyone else and not degrade someone else just to earn a buck!

Thank you !

Good work Etsy. Thank you.

thank you!!!!!

Thank you for making this change -

Rules are made to be followed! Thank you =)

Slippery slope... maybe, but Etsy is right to do this. Etsy is not a democracy; they are a privately-held company and they are completely within their rights to do this. I have seen some extremely vile, offensive stuff here on Etsy; stuff that looks like it was created out of violent dementia. I applaud this change.

Im with you. Welld done.

love ETSY I fully agree Thank You

Thank you for implementing these new changes.

I love Etsy <3

Hooray! Bravo! Well done and well said!

there are so many sites online that let you sell illegal, rude, and racist junk. Glad that etsy said NO.

I see a lot of forum threads on ambiguity in our future. But even still, thank you for responding to us and doing whats right.

A tough decision for Etsy, but keeping this site in a positive spirit is a wonderful choice. Thanks.

Great! thank you Etsy :)

Thank you, Etsy! I've run into a few items myself that I've had a hard time with. But, when my friend said she was going to Boycott etsy for some of the items that have been allowed that were making fun of people with disabilities, I was very embarassed! She even wrote to etsy! I'm so glad the good people at Etsy have taken notice and will not tolerate hate disguised as "humor". Thank you so much!

I'm sure the majority of crafters wont be affected by this change, after all why should craft be about hating?

Thank you so much for addressing this issue.

Thanks for making this change!

So glad to see this - Thanks!

These seem like very positive changes indeed. Thank you!

Excellent news.

As of right now its all talk. True test will be some kind of enforcement and will their be someone hired to go through weeding out this stuff? Some stuff really is off the scale rotten, other stuff is kind of grey.... Wonder to what extent or what the limit of tolerance is.

I must be in my own private Idaho. I have missed these listings. Go go Adam.

Thanks for making the changes!

So happy to hear this news, it's great to know we're being listened to & steps are being taken to improve policies. Thanks!

I literally am speechless and I don't know what do say.

Good news!

SO happy about this, thanks Etsy!

Thank you, Adam and Etsy. I was uncomfortable having my business and my myself associated with the things that have been discussed. I was even looking to leave. I won't have to now. I thank you for updating these policies to something that most other sites have. It should have been done sooner, but I'm glad you finally came around.

Thanks for staying on top of things like this. Things like this make me proud to say "I have an Etsy shop"

Good. I am glad to see that you guys always do what is right. If THIS community can't stand up for tolerance and respect, then who can? Now, can someone please tell me where the Showcases are? Seriously, where did they go?

Hear, hear!

Thank you Etsy! Very happy to read this.

Thank you! This is a very necessary change...

Thank you, Etsy.

These are difficult decisions, and indeed, quite possibly a "slippery slope." But ethical decisions are always such -- and at the end of the day, you need to do what you believe is right. Each of us must make our own decisions on this, and take our own stance. I applaud you for accepting input, being thoughtful about it, and making your decision.

Not sure the first amendment supports these policy changes. I don't promote hatred or violence, and I don't support those who do, but I support their right to express themselves however abhorrent I find that expression. It's a slippery slope, Etsy.

Thank you!!!! I see things here sometimes and think Wow, I cant believe that's here, then I think.. well, freedom of speech and all that.. however one of my favorite sayings is "The right to swing my fist ends where the other person's nose begins"

I know exactly to which stores this post refers and I am saying a big Thank You. x

Bravo!

Great news!

A reasonable addition to the prohibited items list. Thanks for explaining it so clearly!

huh, interesting.

Thank you so much. I totally support your policy change.

You Go Etsy,!That Telling Them!!!!

great change!

thank you for listening

Great decision! I'm really happy to be a part of a community that cares and promotes tolerance and respect. Thank you!

Yes

in a different context, this might be a slippery slope but surely there are better targeted platforms to sell these types or items.

BRAVO!!! I have come across some items on the site that I was so embarassed of that I thought twice about recommending Etsy to friends/collegues. So happy that this is taking place and will take care of these items once and for all~ Thank you Etsy!

Agree or not with this decision - but the important thing here is that etsy gives us the opportunity to have artistic freedom of expression and align it with healthy debate. There is also a difference between what each of us finds offensive. They key her eis that etsy has taken the first step to opening up a dialogue. They ahve not banned any sellers, nor have they removed listings. They are giving individual sellers the opportunity to review their works, ask for clarification and make their own changes. As for enforcement, we still have the opportunity to report items as we wish to. Thank you Adam and etsy for taking the time to hear our concerns and finding common ground methods to handle them.

Good job Etsy!

While I think this is important and valid, making this change opens a can of worms. It's like when the local "family oriented" 1-screen movie theater made an exception in their "NO R-rated films" policy to allow "the Passion of the Christ" to be aired. Needless to say the theater now frequently allows R-rated movies and is no longer "family oriented". It's only a matter of time before a blog causes a stir about some other mature content on Etsy... and that is gone. Before long, all of the mature content will be gone and we'll move on to the process of removing other TOU-abiding items. I wish blogs would throw more fits about resellers, to be honest. I wish the national media would do a segment on how many resellers on Etsy, so a little more pressure would be put on Etsy to remove items that are clear violations of TOU rather than bending the TOU in order to remove items.

I understand where Etsy is coming from, and putting explicit wording in the TOU does make sense. However, the phrase "Items or listings that promote, support or glorify hatred toward or otherwise demean people " is incredibly vague. "otherwise demean" is subject to the same subjectiveness that would say that "not praise" and "humor" is demeaning. Sardonic, sarcastic and "English style" humor all could be interpreted by some as "demeaning". Where the line of "humor" and "demean" lies is in the eye of the beholder -- I'm thinking of the "Piss Christ", and various political treatments of the American (or other flags). Please, please tell me that "disrespect" is OK, and not considered "demeaning"!!

Thankyou!!

Well done! Thank you!

Great! Thank you!

bravo etsy.

Wonderful news!

While I agree with the need for tolerance and respect, I wonder how this will be enforced and who will make the decisions. Another commenter has already mentioned that this could be a slippery slope if not handled properly, and I agree.

Is this about those cards which were featured at Regretsy? They were offensive, but I'm not sure that broadscale censorship is the answer. If we cull everything offensive, that means blasting away a good 70% of the art world. :/ I'm just as tired as anyone else of the disgusting crap people try to pass off as art, but who will decide what's offensive? I've seen online discussions blasting the use of the Italian musical terms because they feature a certain term referring to slow tempo... I mean, it's a good idea, but it's a slippery slope, as someone else said... (BTW are you going to get rid of the hardcore porn, too? Just wondering; I don't really feel comfortable going to the recently listed page anymore, after being flooded with extreme fetish porn a few months back...)

Thank you!

very slippery slope

Thank you Adam for taking this giant step. Having a disabled person that I am very close and connected with I welcome this new policy.

Thanks for doing the right thing.

I am very glad to hear this. Good for you, etsy, for standing up and doing the right thing, even if it won't be popular with everyone. It is your company and image, after all.

and please tell us that "rude" is still allowed -- some seem to think that it, too is now against the TOU.

Right on!!!

My faith has been restored in Etsy..thank you for listening to so many of us and the voice of reason!!

Thank you!

@wrapcycle The First Amendment has nothing to do with policy changes by a private business. If etsy has decided that they and their customers are better served by this new policy, then that is their prerogative.

This is a tough one. I hope that "illegal activity" is looked at through a very broad spectrum. Debatable things such as graffiti or marijuana seem to be subject to critisizm. "legal" is something that must be defined differently from state to state. And all across the globe, we are from different backgrounds, beliefes, and practices. I very much hope that this new policy does not take away from the diversity that I appriciate most from this site. There will always be things in this world that upset people, but we are all different and we should accept that about one another. We all choose what we let affect us negatively, as well as positively.

Thank you Etsy. Yes, it is a tough decision and I think you made the right one.

Yep. Hate speech is legal - but Etsy doesn't have to allow it. Good for you, Etsy!

slippery, slippery slope.

As long as you don't get political - it sounds like a good change.

Thank you for doing the right thing on this!

finally! thank you, thank you, thank you.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU ETSY!!!

excellent

I really hope you clean up the porn too, it is against policy, and its all over the portraits section, sometimes it even appears to be a young 12 years old legs open naked etc... it is not my job to report every one, but i cannot even go to the portraits and gather any pretty photos for my treasuries w/o being bombarded with it, as a woman I can say it is degrading to my sex, and most unnerving that the photographers are creepy men most of the time, and its selling here? basement girls?

While I personally agree that these types of items are repulsive, I do support the artist's right to create in any form and to express their thoughts and ideas. This is a serious blow to the Art section on Etsy, a category that is slowly realizing that Etsy may not be the place for them. Not trying to cast judgment, just making an observation that Etsy is evolving to lean more towards the consumable, art and craft arena and away from fine art. But perhaps it has always been that way.

Finally! Thank you!

Thank you Etsy for the clarity. I know it must have been a tough call to make, but I applaud you for doing what's right.

Thank you for making the effort to clarify your rules. It isn't always easy to be sure you have set up the right framework, without interfering with "normal" items - and there is always someone whose viewpoint will differ, one way or the other, from the majority. However, having a clearly defined policy and a way of obtaining a "ruling" on any specific query, has to be the best way to do this. Thanks.

At first i was feeling uncomfortable with what appeared to be artistic "censorship", but after reading the comments and realizing that Etsy is indeed a private business and not Big Brother, I find myself agreeing with the new policy.

Its the right thing to do. When I heard about the items I wondered why etsy policy did't prohibit them. They can put their wares up on the internet elsewhere if they feel so strongly about spewing their hate, but likely they were throwing things up on the site to get some attention and hurt people randomly wandering across their listings.

Thanks, Etsy, for standing up for what is right! Hatred and bigotry have no place here.

Thanks for addressing this, it is the right thing to do!

I assume this new means that most/many religous items are now banned and any items promoting the boys scouts? The new TOUs not only ban certain items, but ban all items that promote organizations which "promote, support or glorify hatred toward or otherwise demean people based upon: race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, disability, or sexual orientation." Given the Boy Scouts of America's stance on gays & lesbians, as well as many religious groups' stance, ANY items associated with those groups are now banned, yes? Does the Catholic Church "demean" women by not allowing them to be priests? Many around the world say YES. So, now Cathoic items are now allowed, yes?

Gray area meaning violence.... I look at the wonderfully handmade floggers here all the time. Beautiful work! But a flogger is for flogging, could be violent.... Does this make them count? I really hope not, it would be singling out a whole community of people who are just the same as the ladies crocheting doilies, we just have different kinds of fun, and different kinds of lifestyle.

It is good to take a stand.

Thank you Etsy. The items in question really upset me. As a seller I am so glad to see you change this policy. I feel much better about staying on Etsy.

Somehow I've missed all of these offensive items over the years... thankfully.

So, under this definition we can expect to see all the listings for Bongs disappear, right?

My heart was broken after viewing a listing by someone here not long ago, because it affected me, personally. Etsy is becoming my work home, my community. Thank you for making Etsy feel like a safe place to show up to each day.

kudos!! the reason i love etsy =)

In my day job, I teach young children with disabilities and work with their (amazing) families. I had really thought long and hard about being associated with a site that does not have a policy against items that denigrate individuals with disabilities, because my work is such a huge part of my life. Thank you for expanding your previous policy to be more inclusive.

Thank you for the good job!

moonmothpress, you have a great point.

Thanks, Etsy, for establishing a clear stance on this. I personally feel it is a shame that the world has come to the point where anyone would actually want to promote these sorts of things, but for those who do, there is plenty of cyber space available outside of this great community to do so. Diversity and freedom of expression are wonderful, but as with all good things, there must be limits and boundaries so that everyone is allowed to experience those things.

Yes! Thank you for this new policy. I am pleased that someone has recognized MY right not to have to wade through offensive, disgusting material that some people try to pass off as arts and crafts.

You did the right thing ! Go Etsy !

I think this is actually a policy change that fits nicely with the other anti hate policies. It certainly didn't make sense the way it was before to not allow certain Denegrations but not others.

ITS ABOUT TIME

I am also concerned about the precedent being set here. I was deeply offended by the items in question and I recognize that there is no easy way to handle this--but I am worried about the eventual fall-out of this policy. As Cassspade said, the policy regarding illegal activity is particularly gray. What about graffiti or marijuana related items, as s/he points out? I don't engage in either of those activities, but neither am I offended by people who engage in them (unless the graffiti is a case of wanton vandalism; that's different). The vague wording of the new policy is also a cause for concern. The spectrum of definition for demeaning is broad. As other posters have wondered, where would a challenging piece of art fall on this? Would a snarky piece that says "every time I meet a vegetarian, I eat two pieces of bacon" (to think of a REALLY stupid example off the top of my head) qualify as denigrating vegetarians? Would an item promoting atheism by referring to religion as a superstition (and I say this as an atheist) be considered denigrating Christians or Pagans or (insert belief system here)? For that matter, would an "I support marriage between one man and one woman" be considered offensive to gays or polygamists? I don't agree with that view--I support marriage equality--but I can't think that it would be a good idea to censor that view by simply saying "you can't say that here" and silencing the offender. At what point does the line exist between disrespect and pure freedom of expression? I hope this policy is handled responsibly but the idea that subjective judgments are going to enter into this at all is deeply worrying.

'...our goal is to make and keep Etsy an amazing marketplace and a community where we value tolerance and respect.' It is the only way to keep a community together, online or in the real world. You took a wise decision.

I am against the promotion of hate. This is more of a step toward a juried site imo. right wrong or whatever

Good news!

A Big Thank You!

Thank you!

I personally think this is a positive step for Etsy!!! It takes alot of thought to make a decision such as this, since obviously there will be people who feel their freedom of speech has been compromised...The freedom for everyperson to feel accepted and safe far out weighs one persons right to sell a t-shirt (or whatever) with something that may be offensive to an entire group of people. I'm all for freedom of speech and expression, but not when it involves offending or hurting whole groups of people. Thank you for making the world a better place!!! Now if only mainstream commercialism and media would follow the lead!!!!

Does this just apply to items for sale or does it also apply to shop names that promote hate against women? What is Etsy's stance on items that promote hate against those with Mental illnesses? What is Etsy's definition of promoting hate exactly? Terms mocking certain groups are pretty commonplace, and most people don't even notice them. I feel mixed about this. On one hand, I hate it when people say racist,sexist, ablist, homophobic things. On the other hand, supporting freedom of speech means that you support other people's rights to say whatever-- even when they're being a jackass.

I love it. Thank you.

Glad to hear this! Thank you!!

Thank you for updating the policies, a change for the better...that is for sure.

thank you!

Very classy. Thanks!

At least the pearl clutchers will be satisfied, now that the offenders have been publicly slapped on the wrist. Is it only a matter of time now before any art displaying nudity is forbidden as well?

I'm not really sure how I feel about this. Certainly Etsy has the authority to make policy changes that it feels best suits its community and business focus but I'll be interested to see to what degree this is enforced. I would like to see this site continue to house many different voices and viewpoints and hope Etsy does too.

Thank you for the changes!

we are here to promote and sell our talents and creations all the slurring of people are not talent. keep it creative

Religion and vegetarianism are things that people have chosen...disabilities and sexual orientation are not.

I'm excited to hear this, but that's a hard thing for businesses to do and do it right. It's a good idea to risk it; I'm happy you are working on this.

wow, reading all these comments, i'm amazed at just how slippery this could get. i think you've hit the slopes. goodgood luck. i love etsy and have been lucky enough not to ever hit anything that has offended me. but, however this plays out, it's worthy discourse. be well folks.

wow, reading all these comments, i'm amazed at just how slippery this could get. i think you've hit the slopes. goodgood luck. i love etsy and have been lucky enough not to ever hit anything that has offended me. but, however this plays out, it's worthy discourse. be well folks.

Thank you! That specific shop was indeed extremely offensive and I'm glad you have created these new policies.

This also means that we need to eliminate anything that promotes Christianity, bears a cross, or is has any sort of religious symbolism. The Christian religion states clearly that gays are condemned to hell. There are so many things that will need to be deleted from this site. Unless, of course, this is just going to turn in to a personal project reflecting only the beliefes of the creators. And in that case, I would much rather shop at a site that caters to my belifes only, or a site that caters to none, and instead promotes art as a form of expression.

amen. thanks.

I'm impressed that you are taking this stand. It sends a positive message. I am certainly a proponent of free speech...but also want to participate in a community that honors and respects all people.

HOOOOOORAY!!!! I really feel that this was the best course of action for you to take. Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

Thank you Adam. I also believe That this is not the place to promote acts of violence and harm to others. ETSY is a wonderful community and dosn't deserve to be tainted with harmful acts.

Good policy change.

This is great, thank you etsy.

I hope this new policy is invoked very, Very sparingly

What a welcome relief these changes are. Now I no longer have to debate whether or not to keep an Etsy shop. Thank you.

I support this change 100%. Thank you!

This is a positive step to help make our world a kinder place.

Thank you!

I'm a big believer in everyone playing by the same rules. It's a choice to play or not.

Good change.

Fabulous. Thanks.

Gee, and to think it only took hundreds of online petitions and a negative CNN story to make this happen.

Dear Etsy. Thank you very much I know that it takes a lot to look at and reflect on corporate policy. I do believe you have done the right thing and as a whole improved your community. Nothing is perfect but when the chance to improve offers itself than bravo. Thank you for publicly addressing the situation.

I do hope this policy will be fine tuned. As it stands, one could describe Frida Kahlo's work deaming towards race or violent to oneself. Art work, especially contemporary, questions society and often does so through depiction of the very acts in question.

Thank you Etsy! You did the right thing. Imagine Peace...

Awesome!

Thanks! It's a good start.

This is a slippery, slippery slop ... and in a way takes away peoples freedom of speech ... and I believe will lead to other things being banned because a select few people can not handle it ... Like nudity, for example ... Slippery slippery slop ... Watch out etsy, you can't please everyone.

thank you!!

While I understand these new policies I sit here wondering... I hope this works out. I fear for the worst and hope for the best. Thank you for trying to keep this site positive as it's been a very positive experience for me the past few years. :)

slippery slope, yes. oh, wait, isn't slope a derogatory ethnic term? *off to report self*

Thank you etsy for stepping up and doing the right thing.

Thank you, ETSY. There are more than enough other venues for people to share their loathing of fellow humankind.

While a seller is a part of Etsy he/she is being represented by the community at large including those who would sell questionable items. So I think I would personally benefit from this decision as would most of the members here. However, who decides which items are offensive? What offends one person may be funny to someone else. Are there going to be eggshells scattered everywhere?

I appreciate the care for this issue! Let's keep Etsy an encouraging community!

I am so glad that I am apart of a venue that took a stand on this. Thank you!

I understand why you did it, there appears to have been an enormous negative response to some shops...I just hope Etsy has not just ventured down the slippery slope. There is no doubt that for some reason people can be "offended" by just about everything. It is the nature of man. Good luck with this!

Woooo! Thank you- this was needed.

I keep seeing people claim that this violates first amendment rights, and I just want to point out that the first amendment states that the GOVERNMENT is prohibited from restricting speech.

Awesome! I know what the listing was that sparked this and I think it is a huge postive change that this type of heartless discrimination is no longer allowed.

oops, i read all the comments so i forgot who it was, but i agree with the person who said something like, crafting isn't about violence and hatred. and if it really is a problem, there are other places to sell such things (i guess?) i say, bravo, etsy. i am proud to be a part.

so saddened to see such broad & vague language as "otherwise demean" take a place in the TOUs. Some people are apparently demeaned by others getting up in the morning. And yes, it will mean that items from any religions that decry homosexuality are gone, or else it is an empty policy. Start flagging, folks!

Thank you for making this much needed change!

Excellent.

Thank you for updating your policies. We at JT Fandangles uphold the same views.

Excellent. I am in full support of these changes:)

I am so sorry that we have to have this rule...but I am glad for it. Lisa

Thank you. This posting shows far more sensitivity and kindness than the 'policy before people' post that was published last week, then closed to prevent further comment. A leader leads, but also listens. It was not pleasant to basically be told 'this is the way it is' with the attitude that it was too bad if we didn't agree. Thanks for listening to everyone, both sides, and your openness to hear our response. One cannot manage such a huge public forum and cut off those who make the forum what it is. Blessings.

Thank you. There is enough hate and bad will to others in our world. Let us try to show that Etsy is above the ugly! Again Thank You!

I appreciate and support Etsy's decision. :)

I'm glad you took time to think about an issue of concern, obviously seriously considering how and if you wanted change. I appreciate careful and meaningful decisions. This isn't the country, it's a company and you have the right to have and enforce whatever policies you so desire. When and if these should conflict with that of a seller, said seller should find a new platform (or start one themselves) for their wares. Handled respectfully, bravo. It's also, as you said, impossible to please everyone.

just one more reason that I love Etsy- thank you

Here are my two cents. I think it is a good policy change. Etsy was never supposed to be a place to make statements. It was just supposed to make it easier for people who have made the craft circuts for so many years to find a venue a little more closer to home. I don't see these kind of items unless I go into places like Spencer's(an off the wall store in the states) I don't think it's a slippery sloop, I think it's allowing the community to go back to what it was made to do, create wonderful handmade useful items. I'm not here to make a statement I just want to sell my photos and meet great people who would just like to do the same. Thanks Etsy and I hope this helps the community heal a little bit.

Thank you.

Overall I agree with your changes, except this: "illegal activity or instruct others to engage in illegal activity" Illegal where?

BRAVO ETSY! Thank you. For a kinder and gentler world, thank you. If erring on the side of caution, so be it. Thank you for taking action on behalf of the MANY instead of in favor of the FEW.

thank you!! It is much appreciated.

I think this is a good move - I've never personally seen anything offensive on this site, but I guess that means I have been lucky. I think that this site has always been about people making beautiful things, and being able to sell them to other people around the world. Now, to all the people who have been talking about 'slippery slopes' yes - the wording leaves much room for interpretation. However, I guarantee there is no absolute version of wording which everyone would agree on. Etsy does not seem to be taking a heavy-handed approach; they are simply working out the application of their new policies. To the people taking the argument so far - whole religions and organizations being banned from being represented on, or in items - Really? I can't honestly believe you think that would happen. Regardless of those particular groups' feelings, unless there is something about the item itself which violates the new policies, I can not imagine the item being banned. I think everyone needs to take a deep breath and realize Etsy is simply doing its best to be a fair and welcoming marketplace.

Glad to hear it. A big THANKS!!!

Thanks Etsy! I so support this change!

I'm so glad to see that this discussion has opened up and we have a more public voice for the concerns out there.

Bravo, Etsy! If we must err, let us err on the side of compassion.

This is very good news, thank you!

Good call, Etsy! That's why we <3 you!

This is awesome, way to go!!

Thank you Etsy!

Nice one Etsy. Thank you for listening to the people!

Thank you Etsy!

thats VERy good news

Tolerance and Respect are worthy goals. If only it were so easy to change the rest of the world.... As far as the "free speech" issue, etsy is a privately owned entity and can make its own rules. Thank you for taking a stand and letting your conscience be your guide.

Glad to see this.

Very happy to hear this! Thank you Etsy!

These sound like some great changes. And just in time for the MLK holiday. Peace, Love & Happiness to all!

As a buyer, thank you for making this change, Etsy!

bravo!

Makes sense. Good to hear.

You've made a good and righteous change for the better. Etsy is such a class act. Thank you for keeping it tht way!

Sadly, if everyone had just ignored that site, or every single person who was offended had just reported it to Etsy along with their views...there would have been no sales, and no publicity for that shop owner. It was like a facebook/forum hate-mob - amazing publicity to the shop owner. I was mildly offended by some of those cards - i got over it in about thirty seconds. I agree with @moonmothpress regarding promotion of groups and individuals who have been shown to be homophobic/racist/intolerant etc, where do you draw the line? A lot of people are unbelievably sensitive to things which poke fun at their religious beliefs...we live in a world with loads of different religions and people who are not religious which naturally creates conflicting opinions. Nobody is trying to create a worldwide anti-religion movement by selling a blasphemous christmas card on Etsy, i think a bit more perspective is needed and overall i find it sad that creative freedom will be limited by this change. I do however think that items or artworks of a sexual nature should be heavily regulated - as they are freely viewable by minors.

I agree with CindyLouWho to on the term "otherwise demean". I know of someone who got a comment blasting her baking blog because baking was/is demeaning to all women. Some people think that a woman wearing sexy undies is demeaning. it could be a slippery slope with those words.

Excellent determination and action! :)

This is a great decision! Thanks for doing this :)

Excellent!!

Bravo!

I support your decision of policy changes for the reasons you have stated. Keep on doing such a great job.

Thank you for listening to the concerns over these issues and making the changes! Bravo!

good move

I am really happy to see this. It's nice to see Etsy cares and continues to make this a premier place to not only be a seller - but a buyer also.

I think this was the right move. I'm all for provocative art, I just didn't think etsy was the place for such a negative vibe.

sounds great! i love the positive atmosphere at etsy and appreciate the additions to the policy!

Thank you!

Thank you! I was one who complained because I DO see a difference between ART for expression and art of ANY kind that directly makes a statement of put down. Here are my examples: A painting of nude models, or the "F" word created from letters, or pics of anyone engaged in loving sexual activity, or a photo of a person with cerebral palsy while having a spasm.....any of these could shock me or even offend me at first but NONE of them put down or say hateful things about naked people, races, sexual genders, people with disabilities etc. I agree that all types of people and art are possible and tolerance/acceptance is essential. AND we have a right to remove art that hurts people. It is art; that may be true. You can have loving art to express any group of people without putting any one type of group down. YaaaaaY! Job Well Done Etsy!!!

It's important that we respect each other and each other's customers. Well done Etsy!

Thank you! It's helpful to have a formulated terms of use/policy rather than have it be in a grey zone. I hope that you, Etsy staff, in the future will answer swiftly to items that are believed to go against your policy.

Oh, great policy!

Oh, great policy!

Way to go, Etsy! Good job! :)

Thank you- being disabled- it is time to not let demeaning tshirts and porn like items be a part of Etsy. We should remain pure and kind at heart- this is the main reason I will never go BACK to a huge site that sells anything as long as they can charge a fee. Integrity- and making a selling community of kindness is the right thing to do. Enough darkness walking among us- why should anyone profit from those ways of life?

I so appreciate what you are doing! thank you.

.thank you Etsy.

Thank You, Etsy! Now perhaps my daughter can shop without me constantly watching over her shoulder!

Thank you so much for doing this - I am really happy that you've chosen to take this positive step & although I think that it could have been addressed sooner, I am very happy with the new policies. Etsy is a wonderful community and hateful messages or intolerance towards others based on sexuality/race/gender should not be welcome here.

I am very proud of Etsy today :D Thank you!

Thank goodness!

I am not sure whether these are good or bad changes. Because who decides which items are offensive? And how will Etsy enforce these rules? And talking about illegal, this is an international venue, illegal where? I think you have opened a can of worms with this.

Thank you Etsy. Our artistic community is here to support each other. Not destroy each others esteem. If some artists feel that they NEED an outlet for hate, then they can set up thier own personal website. The internet is an open world. I am so glad that Etsy also feels we don't need it.

thank you! you rock!

Thank you! I believe this is the right step to maintain the right environment for this site.

I strongly support this decision.

I am so glad for the changes. Our local news station had posted on Facebook about the shops on Etsy that were selling these types of items. Some of the feedback was pretty negative. I am new to the etsy community, trying to promote my shop... so as you can imagine that type of press did not help. So thank you for making these changes.

excellant move....applause!

Wow. I am really surprised that you all actually did something about this issue. If its the same issue im thinking off.... that one on CNN. Next we gotta get the good of Etsy on CNN.... how about talking to them and have a featured artist once a week on CNN. :)

Thank you Etsy and Adam. You do us proud!

you can start with me :)

See? This is why etsy is just better than other selling/buying communities, you go above and beyond to make the world more beautiful!

"Tolerance and respect"; a slippery AND subjective slope indeed. By whose culture and/or belief system shall that be decided? I don't care one way or another but you must remember that there are many, MANY peoples in the international market; some of whom find such things as cannibalism or slavery to be a perfectly normal and acceptable thing. When one sits in an Ivory tower do they must remember the elephants that died to build it?

good job. although equality and tolerance should be a given, unfortunately it's necessary. i've worked with plenty of community based groups that have had to enact similar policies to make their stance clear. i hope other sites take note.

Thank You, Etsy......

I know this is long. Sorry. At first I didn't know really how to feel about this. Speaking as a female, mixed race, minority who is of Jewish heritage I have to say that not a lot offends me. I'm pretty used to it. It is unfortunate that anti-semitism never went completely out of style and misogyny still exists. Racial and religious jokes will always be told. However, I have chosen not to let it bother me. Life has taught me that people who act out in certains ways have more issues with themselves than with me. And, truth be told, we ARE different. Sometimes those differences are funny, sometimes interesting. The world would be boring if we were all the same right? So pointing them out, making fun, or even proudly displaying shouldn't offend anyone. But it does. There are people in this world who get offended at the drop of a non-sustainably produced, leather hat. After reading some of the comments though I think I can say I'm OK with Etsy's new policies. The fact is that Etsy is a private company and in this country private companies are allowed to set thier own policy. That's why you see signs in stores that state "We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone". As a business owner I fully apprecaite that. I like the fact that I am in control of my own business and most aspects of it. Now if I didn't have to pay taxes it would all be good! (haha) That said if I didn't like Etsy's new policy I'd have full freedom to take a hike and find another site or start a new one. That's what's great about this country! No one would be able stop me, legally. So wouldn't I be a bit of a hypocrite if I tried to stop etsy from doing what they think is right? I think so.

Thanks for changing this !

Definitely the right decision.

thank you so much! i know i was personally offended by something i saw, and reported....and i'm not one to take things so personal. i appreciate the though and care that went into changing this policy!

Since this is a subjective stance, which I respect the intention of, it would be very, very helpful to have examples of items allowed and not-allowed, much as a school's student handbook would address. people arent going to know theyre crossing the line until they do, in many cases... it would help them to SEE what youre talking about since words and images often do not align. this is indeed a strong, bold stance: stand by it and support it with specific images of what you mean please.

Thank you so much. This is wonderful news! I honestly don't see how this can be considered a slippery slope. The absence of rules is not "considerate" or "tolerant", it is chaos. Thank you, Etsy, for standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.

I totally agree some items and images that promote hate can be harmful. Yet, the censorship of artistic expression is a scary step and deciding what is offensive is very difficult. I just read through many of the comments from other Etsy shop owners and some people find artistic photographs of nudes offensive and degrading. Will Etsy sensor these items too? It will be interesting to see how Etsy handles these complicated questions.

Now that the publicity has played itself out and now that these incredibly vague changes have been made, tell us why you *really* made them.

Bravo Etsy!

Thank you!

Thank you so much!!! Thanks for re-evaluating. We wouldn't want to loose customers because of a bad Etsy reputation. Thanks!

I don't like this. I appreciate that Etsy doesn't want to support hate, but I feel like this is too broad. Who decides what is offensive? Not to mention that sometimes the nature of art is to be purposefully offensive. Furthermore, I recognize that items sold in individual shops are not a reflection of Etsy's beliefs. If something offends me, I just won't buy it.

I am with you 100%. If something is questionable everyone should stop and consider the consequences of their actions-even when it seems they aren't "hurting anyone."

Bold stance indeed and I support it! Thank you for stepping forward and doing something about the elephant in the room!

Let's remember, no one can please all of the people all of the time. Lines have to be drawn somewhere; it the nature of a healthy society, be it Etsy's or the world's. I applaud Adam - well stated. Knowing which shop is being referred to here, I also thank all Etsy members for making a stand and reporting this. Freedom of speech and ideas, yes of course. But, as stated, Etsy is privately owned - play by the rules or get out of the kitchen. Find another venue to sell these items. Etsy isn't about bashing others, in any form. It's about offering items that make people feel good - about themselves and others. I'm all for our freedoms, most certainly, but, on a private site, when those freedoms cross the line to making others feel bad? Who wants to be a part of promoting that? Etsy continues to shine in my book. Thank you.

and to note there are major differences between provocative, ingenuitive, and expressive art and 'art' that promotes racism, misogyny, homophobia and other forms of oppression

I totally agree with and support your new policies. They make Etsy a better community for all.

Policy is no good unless someone enforces it.....

I am in support of the new rules. Thank you for taking a bold and direct stand.

I haven't run into any truly distasteful item listings yet but I suppose it's just an odds game. While I don't tolerate censorship, I respect the site creators' wish to operate this site the way it sees fit, and support its right to do so.

Thank you Etsy for doing what is best for the Etsy Community.

Fantastic - thank you Etsy!

That's a good stance. Now I'd like to know what you're stance is on people doing reselling on Etsy rather than handmade.

I do see a lot of relevancy to each side of this argument ... but it also leads me to wonder how long it will take before every item must be approved by a moderator for TOU before it is posted. There isnt staffing power to cover the huge amount of items on this site. How exactly will this be enforced and under whose definitions of demeaning?

Nice!

Excellent Move! Thank you Etsy:)

I think the new policy is great. We have enough hate in the world without having to see it on Etsy. And as for the person who commented that thse policies will extend to other "Fine Art" - there was nothing fine about denigrating the handicapped and poking fun at rape victims. Common sense is'nt very common. It's time we started using more of it. Who will police these sites and decide what is offensive ot not? The Etsy community will. You can report any shop that doesn't follow the rules.

What are you talking about???? Judging from the pattern of these comments, it would be extremely helpful if you can BE SPECIFIC and, yes, SHOW US what you are using "broad terms" for!! Swastikas, anarchy symbol, devils, curse words, black-faced minstrels, women vacuuming, animals being flayed, gang signs, guns guns guns, rifles, guns, hobos, Christ on a cross, headless children, burning crosses, yellow stars, men boxing, nude people missing limbs,........????? What are you talking about? PLEASE!

I think that policy is definitely a right step toward promoting what Etsy is really all about, spreading the love of creation. :]

Well stated. I know this is a touchy and complicated subject, I applaude your new policy. Thank you Etsy, and thank you Adam.

As usual Etsy, you make me proud.

Good! There's shocking-clever and then there's shocking-stupid. Just don't do away with all the Sculpey vaginas that seem to run amok on Etsy...

A touchy subject well handled.

I couldn't agree more with scarlettdesign. Who will decide what's offensive and what's not? Based on whose feelings? Because such decision can be only based on feelings - there is no code or definition of offensiveness... While I appreciate the intention, I'm very worried about the path Etsy is taking... I guess we'll just have to see.

I don't think I've seen any of the items that caused this whole debate. But I am very concerned about the vague wording. I say this because I love Etsy and I love selling here but have dealt with people in the past who have been offended by my work. It all depends on one's interpretation of hate speech. After all, my cross-stitches say some nasty things. They mockingly demean women or poke fun at the gay community. I don't consider this hate speech but an amusing and snarky way to make a point about language and slang in our culture. I consider myself a feminist, I'm an activist in the gay community, but I've been told how awful and hateful my stuff is by more conservative people. So basically, yes a policy should exist against hate speech. Anything directly and violently supporting hate and hate groups has no place anywhere and is not art. But this policy needs to seriously be rewritten. Not everyone is going to be happy with what they see in search results but unfortunately, that is freedom of artistic expression. What is pornography to some is a thought provoking art piece to others. I also agree with censorship on the main page. I don't particularly like censoring my work but I understand under public search listings and offer uncensored pictures once you click on the listing.

good going!! that crap isn't tolerated in the forums and should not be for sale either!!

as a side note, policy is affected by majority. if the majority of people feel that an image that falls into a specific oppressive category should be taken off etsy, then it should, i.e. hateful misogynistic, homophobic language and images. modern leather and other animal products are a symbol of the enslavement and oppression of animals via horrific factory farm conditions, but until the majority of etsy'ers see that as oppressive, the policy needn't change. I just won't be buying or encouraging it...

And to think, right or wrong, it only took national exposure for E to act, pathetic!

Yay thank you this means a lot.

This is a slippery slope, in my opinion too. I've reviewed the new policies changes on the policy sight. And while I agree with a majority of it, I feel like its going to turn into politics... As someone mentioned above me, what about religion? Yes, I'm Christian, but I support the LGBT and many other "minorities" and groups, etc, etc, etc. But one's offense is another right! And one's right is another's offense. How far will this go? Will these new policies turn into censorship? Idk. I want to stress that I don't stand for violence or any sorts of hate but at the same time, I feel like this could just turn into a policy that becomes too much a restriction for people and the artists in the community and becoming a biased store.

Thank you ETSY for making this change. I am new and happy to see you make this a respectful place to be.

Why are people talking about porn? They didnt say anything about that, porn is not illegal and does not promote hate.... How did any of that come up?

A bold step taken on a very touchy subject. Bravo Etsy!

Word! Thanks for promoting positivity and tolerance in the Etsy forum.

THANK YOU Etsy for your stand and your updated policies! I LOVE Etsy and proud to be a part of this great community! I love shopping here and promoting my 2 Etsy shops!

Thank you for making these changes for the good of all.

Thank you, plain and simple

Excellent!

Thank you! I am glad to be part of ETSY!

Thank YOU for listening! <3

Thanks Dr. Adam!

thank you!

"PetitPoulailler said: Now that the publicity has played itself out and now that these incredibly vague changes have been made, tell us why you *really* made them." Yep. Good to know that negative press on CNN has an etsy impact. Too bad coralgate or resellers or the nazi flag didn't make CNN to nudge change here. While many sellers are happy to see this change, most of us know that it wasn't because of seller outrage, given prior history. 7 minutes ago

One more thing on the touchy subject - I saw the items that caused the whole hustle. I found them distasteful. And? ...Well, nothing, I moved on to other beautiful things Etsy is filled with. It didn't offend my feelings. And what if it did? I wouldn't want it to be removed! That's nonsense. If I see something I don't like, I just don't buy it, don't heart it. The more I think about it, the less I like your reaction...

welldone! and i agree with the Emeralwindow comment above. art never denigrates, it might shake you up and make you think, but never ever denigrates.

I'm proud of you, Etsy, for taking this step. There is no good to be gained for fostering hate and making fun of disabled people, people's ethnic and religious backgrounds, and people who have been violated in any way. A public site, like Etsy, has to be careful with things like that. This is a diverse group of people and we shouldn't stand for the type of behavior that causes alienation, ridicule, hate, or mockery of anyone.

Can I just say - it's about time!!

People saying who's going to decide what's offensive...common sense. It's seems pretty easy to see what is offensive. Poking fun at the handicap or rape victims as was done is just sick. It's not funny, and not something that someone should be proud of. (Proud of in the sense of having been the attacker). Great job Etsy listening to your buyers, sellers & just the public that spoke out in general.

Well done & well said, Etsy! Respect for others is at the core of good business practices.

How exactly will you police this? Letting the users do the policing (based on their interpretation of the rules and their own strict sensibilities) will only cause further censorship. Are boobs and nudes next? Etsy- Sanitized For Your Protection.

Very happy to hear this. I will once again support Etsy shops on my blog! Thank you Etsy for listening to your shop owners, buys and public in general as you decided to make policy changes.

THANKS for doing the right thing. I have NEVER bought from your sight but will now be a customer. WELL DONE ETSY.

@ candhy1: (un)fortunately, despite its name "common sense" is the least "common" thing of all. What may offend you, doesn't have to offend me. Such as the given example of rape victims cards. They didn't offend me. I wouldn't buy them, but I didn't feel offended in any way. So the question stands: who is to decide?!

Thank you Etsy! You keep it nice and neat and "on the top".

Thank goodness!!!

Very ambiguous and who now gets to decide what is permitted or not? Or is it going to be more like ebay where their web crawlers pick out certain words automatically, cancel a listing and you get a form letter stating so after the fact? I left ebay for that reason, because even though I never sold anything offensive, my wording sometimes was picked up anyway and I lost money and business. I hope that things are more carefully determined here.

Thank you , proud to be an etsy member

Adam is traveling at the moment, and he doesn't have a continuous internet connection. Despite that, he is keeping tabs on the comments and reactions, and he asked me to share this: ---- I want to thank everyone for the thoughtful comments. Many of you seem to think we made the right call here. I want to respond the the folks who are concerned about a slippery slope. We are concerned about a slippery slope too. It is why we took the time we did in trying to craft these policies. There are no perfect answers in this debate. There is no pristinely clear policy anyone can write. We care deeply about artistic expression. Most of us at Etsy are artists or artisans of one kind or another. We also care about about our marketplace being an environment that values tolerance and respect. We are trying to find that balance in these policy changes. We will have to make judgment calls with this policy. Please know that we will take every decision around this seriously and with care. Very few items are affected by this policy and for those that are, we will do our best to make the right call and to work with artists and artisans who have concerns or questions. Thank you again, Adam

The rule number 1 should be RESPECT!

I think I've missed these items in question but I am happy to know they're not allowed any longer! Good work Etsy!

I don't agree with degrading anyone in any form. but the "attack" that set forth on the shop in question was down right brutal. It's one thing for them to put up questionable items but for the community to attack them in the manner that they did is totally uncalled for. I hope that in the future when folks don't agree with what's being sold/said/presented that they deal with it in a more tactful manner. Thank you Etsy for dealing with the situation accordingly :)

oh good! I hope the shop I saw with this problem is one of the ones brought to your attention and being stopped (I did report it). thanks Etsy

I applaud you Etsy. If someone wants to make things filled with hatred and biggotry than they can do it in their own private place. Noone should make money or make fun off offending people. Let's not ruin a good thing we've got going here. Thanks for always being considerate

Thanks, Etsy! I am surprised it took so long to do this but, am glad to see these changes. To see it on Fox news... not good advertising for Etsy at all!

I come to Etsy to feel the love (and there is a lot of love) not hate. If I want hate I know where that is-everywhere! So thanks for caring about caring. I am feeling the love!

thank you. I have been thinking long and hard about whether or not I wanted to continue my relationship with Etsy, due to reasons of this exact nature. It's just pretty sad that policies like this even have to exist. I agree with Etsy for taking a stand against these types of shops/people.

So the right thing! Thank you!

And there's a differnce between artful, beautiful nudity and disgusting obscene nudity. That's what I believe anyways

I hope that zombies aren't prohibited, they bring so much joy and fun to this fantastic community :)

Thank you for being the voice for so many.

This is both a good thing and a bad thing. Is it wrong to be hateful? Yes. But what one person considers hateful and what someone else considers to be an off-color joke can be the same thing from two different perspectives. I haven't seen any of these shops anyone is vaguely referencing, but...if you are offended, don't buy from them. I don't see how the fact that Shop A sells items making fun of the handicapped means that Shop B will somehow be impacted. But people should be allowed to buy the things they find appealing, and if someone decides they really want a painting that puts a group of people down...shouldn't they have that right? I don't have to agree with someone's opinions, but...it's still their right to have them and it's still their right to express those feelings. And honestly...I like having clear indications of who to avoid on a day-to-day basis. Someone who buys offensive items would be high on my list of people to not associate with. But overall...I don't care. I don't buy anything I wouldn't be comfortable with my family seeing and I don't make things to be offensive. So...I don't know. This isn't going to make Etsy a magical Utopia. It'll just make a bunch of people angry and other people feel smug and vindicated as "nice people" who are unaffected because they're not "one of those offensive types." And then the rest of us won't really care because we never noticed the mean/nasty items to begin with. Soooo, good luck.

I personally have never seen items that fall into these categories but I am glad that I won't have to now!! The whole slippery slope thing is stupid to me. Etsy isn't saying you can't express yourself artistically just that if you choose to to in a certain way that you can't sell those items on their website!! Go ETSY!! Good changes!! Keep up the good work!!

I personally have never seen items that fall into these categories but I am glad that I won't have to now!! The whole slippery slope thing is stupid to me. Etsy isn't saying you can't express yourself artistically just that if you choose to to in a certain way that you can't sell those items on their website!! Go ETSY!! Good changes!! Keep up the good work!!

Wow. The buzz must have died down. Probably not as much free advertising (good or bad) coming in so it was time to finally put this to rest and correct this one of many MAJOR Etsy blunders. Of course, I'm sure this move will be whispered into the ears of media too, possibly in hopes of gaining even more free advertisement for Etsy. Just another way to pad the pockets of the admin. Yup. Always thinking of themselves, and never caring nor paying any mind to what they're putting the sellers through. Shameful.

Thank you for doing what is right!

This is a fabulous new policy change! I'm totally all for keeping Etsy a professional website.

Thank you Etsy! This is not the venue for these kind of items, thank you for taking this step.

Very well put. Thank you.

good news

Wonderful! Very thoughtfully written post.

I was not offended by the shop or their products, not my cup of tea but not my business. They WERE working within the rules. What was and still is offensive, is the PUBLIC treatment of the seller. They did nothing wrong and they got trampled by This Community In Public. WRONG on so many levels.

I am about tired of the term "slippery slope" But good job etsy

In light of the recent violence in AZ i think this is a wise policy. Maybe we can all give peace a chance and be nice for a change! Thank you

You made the right choice! Thank you Etsy!

I think this will be a positive change for Etsy and we can focus on all of the wonderful things that are happening. Kudos admin!

Not real fond of the term "slippery slope," but if it walks like a duck...

Thank you for the changes!

Thank you Adam, that is all we (parents/caretakers) of special needs children and adults ever wanted. No matter their special needs they are people too. They deserve to be respected and loved.Some of the post could have been edited,I am not making excuses because being a mother of a 5 month old precious gift with DS, my instincts to protect her at all cost came out. Never in my mind did I think I was going to be a mother again at 40,but she is here and I thank God every day I have her. Again Thank you so much for this change. And remember everyone CHANGE IS GOOD.

THANK YOU.

Thank you, Etsy

Applause!!

Cheers!

I hope you will consider banning fur items. IMO that supports violence.

Thank you Etsy!

Do what you gotta do Etsy; blessed are the decision makers.

Censorship is never positive. I worry what won't be allowed next because someone gets offended.

THANK YOU ETSY!!! YAY!!

Beautifully appropriate. Thank you!

Although I agree that a policy needs to be in place for the obviously hateful items that are for sale on Etsy, there must also be some restraint not to censor so much that we as artists are looking over our shoulders to see if what we're creating is going to offend someone - because it probably will. Artists have traditionally been at the forefront of social commentary through their art. I think of Picasso and his piece on Guernica. That being said - who decides what is art and what is not? This age old question has been debated over the centuries. For every period in history there has been art that was banned. This same art we now consider masterpieces. So who decides?

Excellent. Now what about the resellers?

Excellent. Now what about the resellers?

Thank you Etsy :)))

I think it's great! EVERYTHING in the world does NOT have to be politicized!!!!! I'm a veteran and have defended every American's rights. Now, I make glass beads in my spare time - it is NOT to make a political, moral or social statement of any sort. They are just pretty! I love Etsy and I love the work of other talented crafters that I have met here. I'm glad that some standards have been set! Those wanting to make their politics heard can find another forum!!

Awesome!

It is sad that such a policy is necessary, but I agree with the decision.

"support or glorify acts of violence or harm towards self or others"........I sell crosses on my site like the one Jesus died on. Am I in trouble? Slippery slope indeed.

Etsy has every right to pick and choose what they want to allow to be sold from their 'store'. If this was a typical store front shop, the owner would decide what could or could not be sold in their shop; making a statement what they going to allow is perfectly appropriate! If somebody doesn't like it, I'm sure there are other places you can sell! Good for you Etsy.

thank you. I was initially very disappointed in Etsy's response to the cards (I wrote about them on Care2.com) and am heartened to see this policy change. Kristina Chew

The term slippery slope is being tossed about here as though it was a compelling term of debate. But if you want your argument to be taken seriously, you need to make a much stronger case for allowing the etsy marketplace to remain one in which certain classes are protected due to their race or religion, while women, non-heterosexuals, and the disabled are not. Do you seriously believe, for example, that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is some sort of step towards a totalitarian world in which the government mandates that stairs be outlawed and everyone has to sign while they speak? Or do you accept that some regulation, some recognition that minority interests should be considered and even protected, is in the best interest of the entire community? Setting boundaries of ANY kind can be said to be a "slippery slope" towards boundaries that are highly restrictive, discriminatory, censorious, etc. But generally, we recognize that human commerce - most human activity, in fact - works best when regulated to some degree, with care given for the equal protection of the disenfranchised or minority interest. Certainly a private business gets to set the rules it feels are most in keeping with its mission and philosophy. The rules etsy has adopted are indicative of a culture I'm proud to be associated with.

Great decision Etsy! Thank you!

You are definitely doing the right thing.

Thank you Etsy for taking a difficult stand and keeping this a compassionate and supportive community. The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. - Edmund Burke

Thank you!!!

excellent.

YES!! Wonderful!

as a mother of a profoundly handicapped son i thank you!

This just makes me even more proud to be an Etsy junkie!

"...we want to recognize that tolerance and respect have to be part of the norms of our community." That says it all and should be what we strive for in all communities in general. Thanks, Etsy. MUCH appreciated!

we do not need negativity in this wonderful community! Yay etsy. you are the bomb.

Thank you so much Etsy! I, for one have had tears in my eyes when I have been told about, heard, witnessed and experienced racism and prejudice. I am mixed race - half black and half white so I really am pleased, thanks again! Yes, there are some people that disagree, maybe they have never experienced hatred before or maybe it has not been strong enough around them to make them think.

etsy, thank you for looking into the issues surrounding misogony - it should never be tolerated and always always addressed! would The Gap allow it? No would most large retailers allow it? No i still need to read all of the wording, i was about to add a shop to my circle and saw a racist portrayal of a person of color and i was extremely turned off. I do have a question; in the 'Keeping it Weird' section of Etsy's blog will there be any changes? Shock value and the portrayal of dead babies/beheaded humans, etc. is so horrid, these images really bring the whole site down a bunch of notches imho...weird is one thing, shocking for the sake of shock is another... this is a retail site, not a gallery...or maybe it's both, but seems to be more retail... not sure if anyone else feels as i do about the keeping it weird section? (and i'm sure there a many times in this section where the images are not SO graphic, i just don't want to go there anymore because it's a big debbie-downer turn off)

Bravo!!!

not sure how I feel about this. I respect the person who spurred on this controversy for their first amendment right to free speech, but I also know Etsy is a private company that can set its own standards for usage. I would like to see how this plays out in the long run, feels like it will effect the Art category most directly.

<3

Thanks for being responsible to an ever changing world. I appreciate this move.

A conclusion to this nasty situation, at last! I'm glad the concerns of many Etsy sellers and buyers were considered. Thank you so much for this change.

Thank you.

Thank you!!! Agree 100%, excellent.

Good job, Etsy!

Very good!

Thank you! Good riddance to that creep and glad I can still support your site.

I'm glad to see that Etsy is taking a stand on this serious subject. It makes me proud to be a seller here!

This is great! We should be spreading love and understanding, not hate.

I was investigating other sites to pursue because of the negative press around Etsy. I figured since I'm just starting out maybe another site would be more suited to my desired image. Frankly I didn't want to be associated or compared to anyone that would think those items which caused the controversy were funny or ok to even produce. I am all about free speech but those listings weren't promoting an opinion or any kind of discourse. They were simply promoting hate in a snarky-trying-to-be-funny way. It was not in an artistic way. Thanks for taking this step and I hope this does not become a trend that one bad apple ruins a great site's reputation.

I am so impressed with Etsy for taking this stand. Although I fight for everyone's right to free speech (even when I don't agree with you) I can't get it out of my mind that "words have consequences" - or in this case "t-shirts have consequences".

To those upset by this new policy: its one thing to be "artistic" its a WHOLE DIFFERENT THING to mock. Which is what that seller was doing. Thats not artistic, its hateful. There's your difference.

Thanks so much for listening to your users and doing what is right. I had every confidence that you would!

as far as the first amendment, i believe that it doesnt apply here, as Etsy is a company, and managed as such. we may list on here, but ultimately it is the companies choice what to allow. every company does it. slippery slope, no. because the ultimate worst case scenario is that we get censored, which any company in their right mind WOULD do, with their reputation, sacrafice, and hard work on the line.

as far as the first amendment, i believe that it doesnt apply here, as Etsy is a company, and managed as such. we may list on here, but ultimately it is the companies choice what to allow. every company does it. slippery slope, no. because the ultimate worst case scenario is that we get censored, which any company in their right mind WOULD do, with their reputation, sacrafice, and hard work on the line.

Just another reason I am Proud to promote Etsy and be a part of the community on this site!!!

I support this policy change while realizing the dangers. With vision you can manage this.

Hi Adam, This is wonderful! Kudos to you for listening, hearing and doing something about it. Liza:)

Thank you for listening to your community and the wider community of designers, makers and artists. I closed my shop in protest and removed the Etsy button from my website and twitter. They shall now be reinstated. I couldn't, in all conscience sell in a market place that supported such offensive and upsetting material, in the name of Art.

What I find troubling is that Esty had to tell us this. I am aware of the store that was the start of this focus and in my opinion they were tacky & thoughtless in what they chose to promote. I totally get that's my opinion so it mostly counts on my planet but still... It is perfectly fine that everyone has a different level of tolerance and no, you will never be able to please everyone. But I think its safe to say that the majority of folks were offended by this sense of "humor". Etsy has the right to determine what gets sold through their brand and for those who liked that type of thing, I am sure in this day and age on the internet that store will find a home somewhere out there. I am proud, as an artist, and even understanding that censoring can be a dangerously gray area, that Etsy has made the decision they have. Just as you can't please everyone, neither can you be everything to everyone. The message I get from this is that Etsy does have standards and that makes me happy to be a part of this community once again. Kudos to you Etsy!!!

Hmmm . . don't know if this is good or bad. Usually when you try to restrict and censor, it gets into an overly politically P.C. environment that could actually be more detrimental sometimes than a few silly arts and crafts that truly are just superficially mean. However, if these artworks are being done as a refuge or to intentionally and seriously promote some sort of harm to a part of society, then it's what needs to be done. I have a feeling that this plot will thicken in the upcoming months and years.

I am concerned that the word "demean" is a huge umbrella word and I fear this might hoist you by your own petard in the end... But Etsy can certainly make their own policies as they see fit. It is in the interpretation and the application that might open whole cans of worms everywhere. Also, what is next in line? Whatever next makes it onto CNN? Allowing the appearance that public negative attention can influence the Etsy TOU is maybe not such a good precedent to set...

I'm not sure how I feel. I don't purchase items that promote hate and violence but I feel that censorship is never good.

With words we create worlds. Bit late (as in, if it would have come earlier it would have been easier to think it was sincere), but still...thank you. As a person from outside US I noticed that someone was at the same time saying "illegal or demeaning according to the laws of which country, which culture? As Etsy is international!" and "but the 1st emendament, the freedom of speech"...mixed up ideas, anyone? I come from a country and live in another, I have been religious, agnostic and religious again, I have been thin and chubby, beautiful and ugly, able to speak one language, two, three, four, brilliant in school, terrible in school, a good worker, a lazy worker, etc...I have gone trough many transformations in my life, as I am sure most of you. Hatred and lack of compassion where never in my books, trough all this changes and these years, this cultures and this situations. I hope everyone can say the same and haters not to be tolerated.

Thank you so much! Smiles♥

I love Etsy so much I want to marry it. Thank you for fostering a genuinely open creative community. :)

Thank you, and yes, Etsy has absolutely done the right thing.

Thank you for finally changing your policies on this. I just wish it hadn't taken petitions and CNN blasting you guys for it to happen.

I am happy to see that this difficult area has been tackled and some positive decisions were made. Thank you!

Standing on my chair applauding like a mad-mad woman!!!!!! I could actually cry....thank you for the revise. Mickey

Thank you, I am a strong supporter of tolerance and respect to others. We promote different arts, crafts, cultures, ideas, and much, much more here; that's what I like best about Etsy.

YAY!

Thank you!

I have read many of the comments here. And here is my not asked for 2 cents. 1.It is a first amendment issue. Freedom of speech and expression are sacred in the USA. I would like to point out however that Etsy seems to be a private institution. It is not government run. So just like a private school can issue a dress code or some sick twisted hate filled airline can refuse to fly people from the middle east, Etsy has every right to dictate certain terms as it sees fit. Because Etsy is not a government run public run website. 2. Art is absolutely about expressing one's self and one's perspective. But i think as an artist, art is about more than just self expression. It is a sword for truth and a shield for those in need. Wouldn't it be wonderful if rather than swords for intolerance if etsy were a shield for those in the most need? I think i personally would be proud to belong to a place that uses art in such a way rather than using it to damage others. 3. I also don't like being associated with hatred and intolerance. I am happy to have a debate about things. That is what good art does. It causes debate. What it doesn't seek to do is to slander whole groups of people. 4. I don't have a problem with a shop that wants to say "Yay white people!" while taking no position on black people and vice versa. I also have no problem with a shop saying YAY christians and making no mention of muslims or any other religion. And i don't mind gay people who have a shop saying YAY gayness while not mentioning straight folks at all. None of that bothers me. What DOES bother me is the shop that says YAY white people BOO black people! Or vice versa etc... There are ways to have an agenda as a sick twisted individual and as an artist that do not require hatred being deliberately aimed at another group of people. I don't see why some folks are acting as if insisting that such semi decency be required is such a "slippery slope." 5. I am dyslexic. Completely and totally dyslexic. As a dyslexic person i really don't apreciate seeing people being intolerant towards those with any mental or learning disabilities. If you want to say "Yay normal people!" and ignore completely the issue of those with mental disabilities that is fine by me too. You don't have to actually use art as a sword of hatred to use art to be hateful. You see? There are still ways you hate filled folks can hate without making the rest of us here on Etsy look like we are hate filled to. 6. As i have dyslexia, I just wanted to say to anyone that puts up nasty stuff about the mentally disabled.... I hate what you are doing. It is trashy and vile. But i still love you. No matter how horrid you might think me. I think so much of you that i am with Etsy in their demand to hold yourself and your arts and crafts to a higher standard. Because, after all, that shouldn't be difficult for someone as normal as you are that you can hate people and make products that denigrate people with mental disabilities. Peace.

I'm happy etsy has the courage to take a stand. Being a privately held company basically gives them the freedom to do what they like. I support their position. There are plenty of other marketplaces out there that allow anything to be sold. I choose to be affiliated with a site that more closely represents what I happen to stand for. I applause etsy for taking a stand basically against hatred.

Long overdue and much needed. Policies & revisions are always needed in business in an ever changing world and Etsy is no exception and needs to step up and do this more often. These sound very fair and well thought out. Thank you!

I'm bored with the term "slippery slope". How 'bout "greasy incline"?

Interesting.

thank you I appreciate this change

I have come across some items that made me raise an eye brow. I am a bibliophile so I tend to err on the side of less censorship. However, your changes seem wise and logical. I agree with your changes. I have always felt this was a community of caring and sharing.

Thank You!!

As a private company, you had the right to do what you thought was in your best interest. I'm thrilled to see this is the direction in which you're going. The items that recently sparked debate were unbelievably hurtful and I really didn't want to be a part of a community that supported their sale. I'm so glad that's not the case. Well done, and thank you.

Thank you for making a bold and brave decision to honor all people. To continue to sell hate would have met Etsy would have given up it's integrity. I proudly support Etsy - you are so much more than the items for sale. The following is a quote from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

I think this is a very smart, respectable change. I was offended by the items in that store ... I don't know how you couldn't be, even if not for yourself. Some talk about freedom of speech ... Etsy isn't taking away people's freedom of speech, they just can't speak it on Etsy's website. Find somewhere else to go ...

Thank you for this, my family has been asking about my Etsy store and I hated telling them they had to be careful how they looked up items. I was lucky enough to not see many offensive things, but those that I found were disturbing.

yay for taking a stand, especially against people who think it's perfectly ok to denigrate people with intellectual disabilities.

Fantastic!

Thanks for reducing the meanness in this world. I'm confident everything will work out.

I appreciate the sentiment, but these terms are SO broad. Already on this thread someone is complaining about how offensive they find the "Keeping it Weird" blog. It's my favorite! I don't find it offensive at all, even though most times I wouldn't consider buying any of the items. I live in a city were everyone is so concerned about not offending anyone that we can't even have a neighborhood Christmas tree anymore. It's not the least bit conducive to community. This makes me extremely nervous. Almost anything that can be created could potentially offend someone. Please be careful!

Respect the change. Going to be interesting to see how it's implemented and enforced. What's demeaning to one person may not be to others.

Hooray for Etsy! Thank you. Thank you. THANK YOU for taking this brave stand. As one othe respondent said -- hate speech is legal. But that doesn't mean that Etsy has to support or give it a stage. My faith has been restored in Etsy. Bravo! Hooray! I'm shouting from the rooftops!

Bravo... well done!

I think most sellers on Etsy already promote good things and not hateful ideas, however some art is riske and some people like it. Are we censoring artists now based on imagery some people may not like? I agree with the spirit of the new policy but am also concerned that it may limit some forms of expression, much as I may not personally like those forms either ;-).

adam, are you andy from the BRAVO channel's brother?

what a great decision. thanks for promoting positivity.

A positive change. Well done.

great call Etsy!

You are awesome!

And this is what a stellar company does when the bottom line is not what drives them to be the BEST!

Bravo.

The gut feeling behind this decision is right. However, please remember that satire and commentary have a long history in art.

This is a wonderful change. Maybe world peace can spread with the creativity and love from etsy sellers and buyers.

Slippery slope? In mountaineering we use common sense and caution when traversing such terrain. Satire and commentary are one thing vulgar attacks another. Using your common sense will go far in keeping policies aptly applied.

Adam, you're a rock star!!!

Two thumbs up!!

sloop, slop... y'all are having a hard time spelling slope here. Regardless, making fun of someone with down syndrome is never okay. As someone with a disability, I feel great about this.

Good call! Feel you'll make good decisions surrounding these new TOU's

Thank You Etsy for taking this stand. Bottom line is Etsy is a privately owned company and with in there rights to decide what is good for the company or not and like with anything else in life if you don't agree then move on to where you feel comfortable. There have been shops here that are just over the line with being decent and I don't think that is what Etsy wants to be know for. I applaud this change.

I, for one, am very glad Etsy finally took a stand. For me however, the stand came much too late. That terrible site was left up for much too long. Myself and many friends are already leaving the Etsy site. For those 'wondering' about other unsure items, you must have been out of the loop regarding the site in question. The site clearly harassed certain groups of people, which was already in the terms. Still wondering why it took so long to remove. My only regrets is no longer selling or shopping here. Funny thing is one of the Etsy designers purchased from the shop and thought the demeaning and harassing cards were funny. Go figure! Good luck to all...

I applaud Etsy's stance in keeping a moral responsibility to the people that embody this community, and yes - it's also a 'slippery slope' in what many people will deem a 'Freedom of Speech' (1st Amendment, Charter of Rights etc). A few things I've seen have been tongue-in-cheek, and a few things I've seen I can't believe are allowed to be on such a site. The argument of freedom of expression will always be a double-edged sword, but as a seller and a businessperson, I'd rather be associated with a global community that supports and welcomes everyone. Etsy is a business, and as a business, it is allowed to make guidelines on who will represent them. We have to remember, as well, that these guidelines are rather new, so vagueness is to be expected at first. That's where the grey area troubles me ... satire has always been a part of art. Will this suddenly open the flood gates to unnecessary censorship?

Etsy can do whatever Etsy wants-it is a privately owned company. Just as they have said that items that aren't handmade, supplies or vintage can't be on the site, they can determine what they consider to be offensive. I am totaly against censorship but I don't feel Etsy is censoring anyone. They aren't saying that those items can no longer be created, only that they can't be sold here.

well done.

Etsy is a private company and can make any policy they want. That said, I think this is a very bad, broad policy. If there is a shop or an item that bothers me, I wont buy it or visit the shop. wow, that is simple. No need to label a piece of art as "hateful" because I dont like it. There are a lot of different ideas on what is offensive, who decides? I guaranty that what I find offensive will be different than what someone else does. A needless waste of time. lets all grow up a little and deal with the fact that we look at the world in different ways.

Respect for self and others is not a slippery slope. Thank you Etsy for finally showing that all members of society are valued.

I am aware that this most have been a difficult decision, but I am very please with the decision you have make. Thank you

mentalembellisher says: Religion and vegetarianism are things that people have chosen...disabilities and sexual orientation are not. ^ YES. I think this is so important. I think Etsy made the right choice, and I have faith that this policy will be enforced as fairly and reasonably as possible, without leading to bans on anything and everything. There's a difference between "controversial" and "hateful" that I hope will be observed.

mentalembellisher says: Religion and vegetarianism are things that people have chosen...disabilities and sexual orientation are not. ^ YES. I think this is so important. I think Etsy made the right choice, and I have faith that this policy will be enforced as fairly and reasonably as possible, without leading to bans on anything and everything. There's a difference between "controversial" and "hateful" that I hope will be observed.

This is wonderful news. It is also the right thing to do for Etsy. Good work. Thank you.

Thank you Etsy!

This takes some guts--glad to see Etsy stepping up to the plate! There will definitely be some disgruntled sellers, and a lot will take their work elsewhere, to be sure. But Etsy does have the right to say yea or nay, and do what they think is best for the community. Good luck! X-D

"The revised policy now prohibits items or listings that promote or support illegal activity or instruct others to engage in illegal activity and items or listings that promote, support or glorify acts of violence or harm towards self or o...thers." Many different acts are considered illegal in different states. What dictates "harm" or "violence" towards another? In some eyes what might be thought of as harmful or violent is consensual, promotes growth and love. Everyone's ideas on love/hate, religion/spirituality, art/"pornography" vary so widely. It seems a shame to start censoring basic human creativity. I may not find many of the things on etsy to be in my liking, and I'm sure lots of people wouldn't see eye to eye on what I think is enjoyable or artistic. So as adults the proper thing to do is not engage in these things with which we do not agree, not to start screaming "NO, BAD, WRONG!" Coming from a long line of artists, one of which painted many well known New York street scenes, theater scenes and (Oh Nos!) naked women, the idea of drawing a right and wrong line in the art world is terrifying.

It's about time! Pretty bad that it took so much negative publicity in order for you to realise that YES, that shop WAS hurting people and should not be here.

Good way to handle these issues; thanks for the clarifications.

I'm relieved to hear this news... slippery slope or not, hatred and degrading others should not be tolerated. Just because something is not easy to enforce doesn't mean it shouldn't be! Thanks Etsy, for promoting a community that tolerates each other.

I don't see what this has to do with first ammendment rights. Its a private site and they can make their own rules. One has the right to open up their own website for selling items if one so chooses. I, for one, am glad that my items won't be associated with such hateful material. I saw some of greeting cards people were talking about and they were gross. I'm glad ETSY has taken this stand!

Ewwww - I think I just stepped in a can of worms. Hope you have enough full time employees to handle all the complaints from people who are offended by "something". Glad you took the stand though. As a business, Etsy can change whatever policies they want and we can go along or get along.

Etsy is an online environment, so some people take that to mean "anything goes." Yea, art is subjective and can be raw (think Judy Chicago, Jeff Koons, etc.). But making money by mocking and exploiting the pain of vulnerable beings is never alright. Kudos to Etsy for making a stab at guidelines to limit the blight. As someone else said: "this is our workplace." Too right.

wow, well. ok. I hate hate, honest I do, and I personally wouldn't create that sort of thing. But as an American it is hard to swallow any kind of censorship. I do recognize that it is an international site and not a public or governmental agency and so perhaps necessary to censor. Still, it leaves a bad taste. I'm concerned though, about vintage propaganda? Some of that is truly hateful but also historical and of intellectual interest and value.

Thank you SO MUCH for doing this! I am an extremely broadminded person (really), but I was very bothered by this issue and was starting to feel like some folks had totally lost their ability to discern right from wrong!

This is great news! Proactive and non-judgemental

I actually missed all the drama with the seller who was mentioned on CNN and I went to look it up. I'd just like to point out that whether one likes it or not, one is judged by the company they keep. As a seller (I have another shop on here) I think the policy change was a good idea. I don't want my items promoted along with the types of items that I saw in the CNN clip. Search filters or not, it would turn off buyers and they would take thier money to another site. How many of the people here attacking the policy want to lose money? Show of hands? Don't we go into business to make money? Those worried about the "slippery slope" would do well to remember that Etsy is in the business of making money too. I doubt they would put so many restrictions into place that it would jeopardize thier bottom line. Those more concerned with thier freedom to sell whatever they want would do better in politics than business. It might be fun to create diseased vagina sculptures with offensive slogans on them and pictures depicting ritual torture but you probably wont make a living off that.

Thank you for having the courage to just say 'enough!'. I am glad to hear it. I've seen some of the "art" here. Really? Art,huh? mmmk. I think men shown in the act of decapitating women, (as ART, of course!), surely must have it's place in a healthy society...you choose the place because I have NO idea where it belongs... but since this is where I work, I'm glad it's not Etsy anymore.

Thank you, Etsy, for finally taking much needed action on this issue. It will help ensure that the positive, community-focused culture you've worked so hard to develop and which has until now been part of your brand recognition is not longer associated with the hate behind the items in question. For those who are concerned about this being a slippery slope and how it fits in with freedome of speach, I would encourage them to do their research a bit. Hate speach has never been covered by the US freedoms granted under the 1st Amendment.

Excellent!

Thank you, Etsy! God bless, Adrienne Kinsella

I am very pleased that the administration took a long and thoughtful approach to this prior to acting. I am pleased they didn't react immediately to those who found a few sites offensive. The way it is written leads me to be less concerned that this could lead to any sellers who are "different" being removed because the majority believe that being different is offensive. Censorship has it's place (e.g. child porn); I just pray it is used judiciously.

Good decision. I support it.

This is fantastic news! I was really hoping something would be done about this, slippery slope or not - these actions came about from something that any one would refuse to tolerate. Well Done

love it

Thank you, Etsy! This is great news. I, along with several of my friends, had decided not to buy anything else on Etsy because of the recent issues. Now I'm back.

Thank you Etsy! I support it.

This is common sense- great job etsy with the change! The function of etsy is NOT to provide an open arena that is free for all- they are creating a COMMUNITY. These are boundaries that promote the kind of community etsy wants. If you don't like the boundaries- there are plenty more communities on the web that will fit your standards. I personally like the etsy community :)

thank you !! LOVE IT <3

Here here! Very welcome. Well thought out and great implementation!

SOUNDS GOOD!!! We don't need any haters here!!

Thank you! I am proud once again!!! :)

Thank you! I am proud once again!!! :)

Thank you for your new policy. I hope you will continue to fine tune it so that it isn't so vague and generic.

I am so happy these changes were made, thank you etsy!

I must have missed the offensive items too, but I think that is a great stance to take! If people were just a little kinder to one another, the world would be a much better place. Yay for ETSY!!!

@gypsypearls: 'Gypsy' is considered derogatory by many members of the Roma community because of negative and stereotypical associations with the term. Denigrating, as it were.

Thank you for these changes!

ShadesofAwareness says: Thank you! I am proud once again!!! :) -- Exactly!

Thats fantastic, people who actually listen to others concerns. :)

I'm incredibly disappointed in Etsy for this decision. It IS a slippery slope. What is derogatory? I'm an atheist, just expressing that I don't believe in god is considered offensive to many people who are religious. Evolution is offensive to many fundamentalists so are items which say Intelligent Design is a myth now prohibited?

It is a good speech...in theory. But there is still discrimination here that no one will address I'm sure. Who is to say what is discrimination? I really hope to truly see these changes....but I'm not so sure. Guess we will see if Etsy will banish 500+ years of discrimination or just pretend it doesn't happen here.

This decision has restored my comfort with being an Etsy seller. As a pediatric occupational therapist who treats children with special needs, I found the content to be mean spirited and harmful. Thank you for doing the right thing in this situation.

This decision has restored my comfort with being an Etsy seller. As a pediatric occupational therapist who treats children with special needs, I found the content to be mean spirited and harmful. Thank you for doing the right thing in this situation.

@JustHEY - You are EXTREMELY wrong. Hate speech Is protected under the 1st ammendment and this has been upheld numerous times by the Supreme Court. Look up the Westboro Baptist Church if you don't think it's protected speech (I think they are one of the vilest groups in the United States but what they say isn't illegal). The only "hate speech" prohibited by the 1st amendment are direct threats of harm and incitement of violence. Anything else is protected by law in the United States.

So, if I see something that I feel offended by, I stir up all my forum buddies, team mates & my entire social network to complain & make a fuss... then, if we can make enough noise between us, Etsy will ban the offending item & all will be well in Etsyland? If you don't like it then don't buy it, ignore it, laugh derisively at it. Etsy should be tackling resellers (who always have been against their TOU) instead of changing their TOU to fit in with the users who shout the loudest. Does nobody realise that a witch hunt is ALWAYS an enraged mob attacking an individual seen to be different, & even when that "difference" is perceived by most of the mob as something they disapprove of that does not necessarily make it wrong? Also, the question of legality poses the question someone else asked... illegal where exactly? Storm in a teacup, mountains out of molehills, created by folks with too thin skins & no sense of humour or their own worth. "You can only be made to feel inferior with your permission." Eleanor Roosevelt. If I screamed foul every time someone attacked my religious views, my political views, my thoughts on female emancipation, gay liberation or animal rights then I wouldn't have time for my life.

Thank you.

While I can't say that I'm sorry the items in question are gone, I do find it odd that you left them up long enough for the seller to start capitalizing on all of the publicity. Not only that, but the seller's very first feedback came from an Etsy employee which suggested that Etsy endorsed these items. I don't normally agree with censorship, but even more, I don't agree with selling items that promote violence and hatred. I'm glad that Etsy is taking steps to ensure that this won't happen again. I truly hope, too, that the censorship won't become out of control (i.e., not allowing "mature" items that have been here for years). Thank you for addressing the issue, though, and letting us all know:-)

Good news. Thanks, Etsy.

Thank you Etsy for this change!!!

By the way, the way your policies are now written no one can sell anything supporting Amnesty International (opposes female circumcision a religious practice). For that matter since pretty much all religions think other religions are false and their followers will go to hell that would make all religious themed items also against the new rules. DO YOU SEE THE PROBLEM YET? Under the rules as written almost anything that references race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, disability, or sexual orientation would need to be prohibited because it would go against someone else's beliefs. Can't have pro-gay items because many Christians think they're evil and trying to recruit children.

thanks! I am so glad this debate is ending.