Sherri reacted in a very hostile manner in response to receiving a fairly minor warning. Now, I do understand having a strong reaction to posts she was offended by. I can understand being upset about being warned too.
What is not justifiable or in any way acceptable is the way she behaved in the aftermath. Transphobia, homophobia, threatening language, harassment and slurs are never okay. Several mods provided multiple opportunities for a calm dialogue, suggested that she take a step back, disengaged to give space etc and she still continued her barrage of insults towards Rain, until she began a lengthy transphobic tirade, sent a slew of insults, threats etc.
This spilled out into Sherri's forum posts as well (not that spewing hateful rhetoric exclusively via PM would make it any better, but she made a point of posting these insults across different threads too). Based on what Rain said, she only posted a fraction of what Sherri actually wrote. The little Rain shared was already appalling, so I hate to imagine what else she received. Rain shouldn't have been subjected to any of that. No-one should be.
Snake of Eden was banned for obsessive preaching and harassing members. I cannot divulge what happened between him and other members as this would be wrong.
However, personally I was inundated with hundreds of messages about how we are both Goddesses in human form with a duty to save mankind and that I must "play my part." I was told that all of my illnesses and suffering would be alleviated if I accepted the "sacred flow." I was told that my daily suffering is caused by my "arrogance" and refusal to follow his teachings, including my illnesses.
Not only that, I was told that there was "no way around my immense suffering", that everything I endured (this individual was very aware of my history) was a price I had to pay to "prove" my worth. Not to mention that he started referring to members as cockroaches in his thread, repeatedly referred to me as "that little bitch", used my past against me and "warned" (i.e. threatened) that if I do not "play my part" I will always suffer and that not heeding his message will be my undoing. Several mods did express our concerns and try to reason with him, but he repeatedly refused to listen and reacted with anger and insults. He has also persistently tried to contact me through other people in the aftermath.
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Although the circumstances differ with these members, one common thread is that they engaged in harmful, threatening behaviour that will not be tolerated here.
I appreciate that seeing two popular members go in such a short period of time is tough for those who were familiar with them or even friends with them. I am sorry for those who feel hurt, shocked, betrayed, less comfortable here or just sad. I (along with many others here) am here to support you and to listen.
With that clarification stated and to avoid any further speculation, I am closing this thread. Please redirect any further discussion about specific members to the User Discussion Megathread. Thank you.
