A Polish Wikipedia editor earlier this year complained about religious discrimination to a committee that enforces the “code of conduct” imposed by the Wikimedia Foundation that owns Wikipedia. The editor expressed opposition to LGBT ideology, citing Bible verses condemning it in his profile on a Discord Wikipedia chat group, prompting mockery and insults from others. Members of the committee rejected his claims and suggested instead the Bible verses were a violation.
Committee members further initiated discussions to delete Wikipedia pages the editor created expressing his Biblical views and opposition to policies and practices prohibiting the voicing of opposition to same-sex marriage. Months after the pages were deleted and his complaint rejected, the editor was banned from Wikipedia partly citing his complaint to the Committee.
The Universal Code of Conduct imposed by the Foundation applies to sites owned by the Foundation, including Wikipedia, along with related events and Foundation staff themselves. Plans for the code of conduct were first announced in 2020, prompting significant concern about intervention in the normally self-governing community. A year earlier, the Foundation’s unprecedented one-year ban of an administrator sparked an editor revolt leading to the ban being referred to a community body, which overturned the decision. While the community objected to the proposed code of conduct for these reasons, as well as perceived left-wing bias and free speech implications, it was ultimately approved by the Foundation.
Following approval of the code of conduct, further discussions followed on enforcement. While generally left to local communities, the Foundation sought to create a body that could handle complaints when it was determined local communities were failing to enforce the code’s provisions. Subsequent community votes regarding proposed enforcement guidelines and revisions based off comments provided during the process, were followed by a committee developing a charter for the proposed top-level enforcement body, which received voter approval early last year. The enforcement body, called the Universal Code of Conduct Coordinating Committee (U4C) began its work following a community election for members last year. Foundation lawyers also serve on the Committee as non-voting members.
Code of Conduct Case
In June of this year, Polish Wikipedia editor “BZPN” posted a case request for the U4C regarding his ban from the Wikimedia Community Discord group where people from various sites owned by the Foundation can discuss Wikipedia and its affiliated sites. The request included a transcript of a conversation BZPN had with others after seeing an LGBT Pride flag being used for the Discord group’s logo during Pride Month. He questioned whether there had been a vote on the matter, but was told bluntly by a group moderator that there hadn’t and wouldn’t be one.
After someone pointed out his Discord profile included a Bible verse and other messages opposing homosexuality, another moderator banned him stating the Discord group was “an inclusive space and behaviour that causes others to feel unwelcome will not be tolerated.” He was told that his comments and profile were “incompatible” with remaining in the group and he was banned. BZPN stated that others in the Discord group had “posted mocking comments and memes, including references to LGBT militias (TQILA, IRPGF), anti-Christian sarcasm, and laughing emojis.” One referenced a “No Queerphobia” essay on Wikipedia, which some admins have invoked when banning editors expressing conservative views.
BZPN complained that prior to the ban he received no warning and was not told of any rule violation with his profile nor did any rule in the group mention profile requirements. He argued the actions violated the code of conduct as he was “mocked and publicly attacked for my religious expression” and “treated differently solely because I expressed a Christian viewpoint, which was equated with hate without any justification.” Further claiming moderators abused their power and acted without civility or collegiality, BZPN argued this warranted committee action as the Discord group was promoted on Wikipedia and functioned as a community space.
Committee member “Ghilt” declined taking the request, stating his citing of the Bible verse was a violation of the code of conduct’s rules on discrimination and complained: “There has been no reflection on that by the filer BZPN.” Another committee member declined stating there is no “right to religious expression on a private platform” where “that expression denies or otherwise objects to the rights of others.” Several more committee members similarly suggested BZPN had violated the code of conduct. One argued another part of BZPN’s profile including an “x” symbol next to gay and transgender flags was a concern.
Hellbound and Down 