Wikipedia:Sexual content

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This essay contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. Essays may represent widespread norms or minority viewpoints. Consider these views with discretion.

Wikipedia is not censored, which in practice means that we permit sexual content in many areas. Any material which serves an encyclopedic purpose should be preserved.

(This page was originally a policy proposal which was rejected.)

[edit] Applicable policies

Sexual content is subject to all policies and guidelines of Wikipedia:

[edit] Wikipedia is not censored

Wikipedia contains content which is likely to offend others. Sexual content cannot be removed from Wikipedia just because it is sexually charged.

[edit] Wikipedia image use policy

Sexual images, as with all images, must be labeled for copyright status and from where they originally came. In order for an image to be used on Wikipedia, it must either be under a copyleft license, in the public domain, or usable per the fair use (non-free content) doctrine. Of course, the images must be used in the appropriate context.

[edit] Other things to consider

Were this image used in vandalism, it is unlikely that anyone would end up traumatized as a result.

[edit] Personality rights

As sexual photographs could depict private individuals, it is necessary to ensure that any depicted individuals who are identifiable have given permission for their likeness to be used on Wikipedia.

[edit] Bad image list

Since the use of sexual content in vandalism is more likely to offend than a more innocuous image, a bad image list was created to restrict the usage of certain images. This way, certain shocking images can be used in context in the appropriate article(s), but not spontaneously as an act of vandalism.

[edit] See also

• Wikipedia:WikiProject Sexology and sexuality/WIP-image-guidelines
• Wikipedia:Options to not see an image – an alternative and form of self-regulation.