WikiQueer:Free speech

The "right to free speech" might be cited on WikiQueer in response to blocks and bans, as well as editing restrictions imposed by WikiQueer policy or the Arbitration Committee. It's possible some contributors will believe that because The Aequalitas Project is incorporated in the United States, and because the WikiQueer servers are located in the US, that contributors retain the right to freedom of speech on WikiQueer, as protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. This is mistaken, as that Amendment only protects speech from government censorship. It does not require a private, charitable organization like The Aequalitas Project to give a soapbox to all comers. WikiQueer is dedicated to expanding access to the sum of queer knowledge - not providing a platform for human freedom of expression. WikiQueer is not your soapbox. Nor is it the soapbox of anyone else. The text of the First Amendment states that: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. The most relevant clause of that Amendment to the matter at hand is "Congress shall make no law." WikiQueer is a private website, hosted by the privately incorporated Aequalitas Project, and governed solely by the Board of Directors of The Aequalitas Project. WikiQueer, and The Aequalitas Project that sponsors and regulates it, is free to establish its own policies and practices regarding who may edit here, and is not subject to regulation by the governments of the United States or the State of Michigan in this respect. As a private website, WikiQueer has the legal right to block, ban, or otherwise restrict any individual from editing its pages, or accessing its content, with or even without reason.

This is not to say that The Aequalitas Project intends to extensively exercise that legal right, if it can be avoided. WikiQueer welcomes all constructive contributors, and is dedicated to assuming good faith with those here to contribute constructively and assist in helping expand access to the sum of human knowledge.

There are policies, like the blocking policy and the Arbitration policy that have been adopted by the WikiQueer community to govern matters related to restricting users' access, but these policies are subject to change. These policies also cannot, do not, and must not be construed by anyone as establishing any right or expectation that is legally enforcable, as The Aequalitas Project reserves the legal right to change them at any time for any reason whatsoever, whether with consensus, or without consensus, so as to further its mission, to prevent the Project or its programs from being brought into disrepute - or for any reason it sees fit - or even for the reason that it "feels like it".

In short, editing WikiQueer is a privilege granted to you by the permission of The Aequalitas Project, and can be revoked at any time for whatever reason that organization sees fit to do so. Your only legal rights on WikiQueer are your right to fork (create another encyclopaedia independent of The Aequalitas Project) and your right to leave.'''

This being said, we're not trying to be jerks. Nor do we plan on being jerks. We do hope that you stay, and help us to build a better WikiQueer. There's lots of work to be done, and everyone who's willing to contribute constructively is needed. Including you.

''Please note: Nothing on WikiQueer.org or of any program of The Aequalitas Project, Inc., should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a legal opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of law. Please see WikiQueer:Legal disclaimer.''