Statement On Gilson B. Pontes' Failed Attempt To Kill My Platform (Patreon)

It was a nice try, but better idiots haven't killed me yet. Gilson B. Pontes, the terrible developer, attempted this week to have my channel removed by issuing three different copyright strikes over three consecutive days. One day he hit a video, the next he hit three, and today he attempted the final one. 

This plan exhibited more thoughtfulness and structure than any one of his terrible videogames.

As of now, however, YouTube has reinstated the videos. The one he tried to claim today was not honored by YouTube for lacking evidence. Initially, YouTube attempted to wash its hands of this situation by saying it was "unclear" if Gilson had been issuing fraudulent claims. In a counter-counter-dispute, I let YouTube and Gilson know that if my videos were not reinstated by the end of today, I was more than prepared to take this to court and even set precedent for the way things should be done IF it came down to it. 

I am not sure what spurred YouTube to reverse course, but it was pressure without a doubt that did it. Could have been me or the support my platform has received. Either way, one thing is clear - my channel was going to be killed today because one oversensitive little boy got upset at criticism, and the only reason it's still here is because I had perks others did not. 

I had the incredible privilege of resources and the right people at my back. I had lawyers to throw at them, and a history of dealing with this kind of thing.  Many others who don't have that, or the platform to apply pressure, are wiped out.

Yesterday was meant to be my day off after an incredibly busy week and a long period of my chronic pain flaring up. What's more, I do not dedicate my life to my job anymore, and certainly not to a platform that has been nothing but hassle on a channel subscribers fled from en masse after I came out as trans. I just wanna have some fun with my platform as I hurtle toward The Void, continue providing content for patrons, and scream at the games industry and media both as I go down clawing at peoples' eyes! I have so much going on, so much of a new life to be getting on with, and I don't have time for boys like Gilson B. Pontes. I have time for *other* boys. Hot men who want it, basically. And also, let's face it, any adult human of any gender or my level of personal attraction. It's been a long lockdown.

The point is, as I've said in the past, YouTube and other platforms will be seen as part of a future problem of mental health issues facing content creators. The sheer stress of dealing with an obtuse, unfriendly corporation like Google is bad enough, but with it comes arbitrarily enforced rules, community standards that have no standard, and a clear protection of certain kinds of content over others. Many of you may have seen the stories of the 20-somethings who are burned out from the pressures of constant content, terrible community management, and endless harassment. Meanwhile, the platforms that benefit most from their efforts do nothing to help them, and actively worsen their situation by creating an unstable and risk-laden work environment. 

There will be a reckoning for that one day. I'll gladly back any efforts to pressure platforms into taking their poisonous atmosphere seriously, and I am currently considering the best option to mount it myself if need be. Furthermore, smaller channels need some manner of protection from these fraudulent attempts to screw with their lives and livelihoods. There at least needs to be SOME downside to lying like this, some risk in waving your legislative genitals about.

As for Gilson, I have asked my lawyer to let him know that this scenario is literally the best thing that could have happened... for him. We have all seen what becomes of developers who pull this clownish nonsense, and despite being too tired for this shit, I'm still considering pursuing this further. It'll come down to what's worth doing, ultimately, but I am continuing to investigate LGS Studios and weighing the options.

These developers do not know how much sheer mercy is afforded them by my not being bothered to waste more money and time on their sorry little lives. It's the fact they throw that in my face, like when Scar tried to fuck Simba over at the end and was ate by Cheech Marin and Whoopi Goldberg.

Huge thanks to everyone for being so supportive over the past 24 hours. You kept my mood up to a shockingly high degree, we had a great stream last night which made me nearly do a cry, and spreading the word about what Gilson tried no doubt helped tremendously.

Thanks and see you on Monday. Because Monday is coming.

Love from the Gender Dumpster,
James Stephanie Sterling (The One From That Show You Saw Linked On Reddit Before The Mods Took It Down)