soushiyo
patreon
Familiar's internet future
🕑 Added 2023-08-08 13:46:10 +0000 UTCHi,
OK, so this wasn't the message or project I wanted to do this month, but here we are.
First, before you TLDR: The perks and distribution of chapters/pages/content on this Patreon are not currently in any danger of changing. If you don't care about the public website or public chapters, then you don't need to keep reading. Your perks and everything will remain exactly as they are (at least into the foreseeable future).
I will also be uploading the chapters that aren't already on Patreon over the coming days so Patrons have direct access to them through their Patreon account. Sorry in advance for the notifications.
But for the rest:
The host I use for Familiar is HostGator, and they happen to be based in Texas. Texas' age verification mandate goes into effect September 1st. Essentially, this (these - there are a few that are already in effect) is a mandate that requires any website that is more than two thirds "content harmful to minors" (yes, the definition is vague and problematic, but Familiar does qualify under the definition in the bills, as do activities involving "bizarre costumes" .... ) to verify the ages of ALL VISITORS VIA GOVERNMENT-ISSUED ID.
You can read more about these bills here: https://action.freespeechcoalition.com/
Basically, they want me to card people to visit the site. For MANY REASONS, I can't do this. I can't afford to hire an age verification service and even if I could, I cannot reasonably ask people (internationally!!!) to digitize and upload their govermnent-issued IDs insecurely on the internet just to read a sex comic.
Originally I was hoping to avoid having to make any changes so soon because neither I nor the webhost are located in any states with these mandates. However ... Texas.
So, after exploring many options including censoring the comic pages on the website, going fully behind a paywall, and other avenues, I have decided to move the public-facing pages of Familiar to Drunk Duck/the Duck webcomics website, which is a free site that hosts comics of all kinds - primarily (=way more than two thirds, lol) SFW. However, they do allow erotica/adult content, and in order to view it you must create an account. The account creation process is minimal and requires miminal information (username, email address, date of birth). (I am also working with them on adding more inclusive gender options in the gender drop-down.)
This was not my vision for Familiar, but unfortunately, in order to protect myself, for right now this is how it's going to have to be. The good news is the comic will still be free to read and uncensored. I also hope to upload the first 7 plot chapters to a French site that will not require a login, so that people who want to read a bit of it without signing up on DD can.
If these mandates are overturned or dismantled, I will be glad to restore the Familiar site and public facing chapters.
I will be making a public statement and providing links and information on the Familiar website when this change occurs later this month. However, I promised transparency and wanted to let you all know ahead of these changes.
I welcome any questions and comments.
Soushiyo
Comments
Chuckv
I know this feels like “letting the bastards win”, but this isn’t a fight for a small creator unless we get someone like Institute for Justice or ACLU behind them. And even then fighting a law/regulation such as this is a hard difficult fight, not something anyone wants to do instead of just making art.. I fully support Soushio’s decision here.
Clover Sh
Thank you so much!!
Soushiyo
No, not at this time! (And not as far as I can see with these particular mandates)
Clover Sh
Will this issue also be affecting the Shop on the website as well?
Taleena Foley
I'm sorry you're dealing with all this. As someone who lives in Texas but hadn't heard of this update I'm honestly not surprised by yet another bs "law" under the guise of protecting children when really it's all about trying to control people. Texas isn't the only state out there like it but the vast majority is incredibly rural and conservative despite a large majority of the population thinking this sort of thing is backwards and asinine. Good luck navigating around this sort of BS and thank you for making a wonderful piece of art to share with all of us.
Soushiyo
I could, but more of these are coming and eventually I expect a federal attempt. Additionally, although unlikely, a suit could still be brought against me even if I and/or my host is not located in a state with a mandate.
Martti
These laws are a pain. And are suppressing free speech under the guise of protecting the children. Is adult content defined as weird costumes? So Halloween pictures are going to be interesting this year in TX.
solanthus
Can't you change the host instead? Or is it too much work/too costly?
