Calling all cultures? Not any more

Remember "Calling all cultures to the Second Life 5th Birthday Celebration"? Remember "Celebrating the cultural diversity of Second Life"? How about "This is a Resident-created, Linden Lab-sponsored event, which means that Linden Lab has donated the land and various basic resources, but the rest comes from you, the community. And there is room for many people to get involved"?

Well, not any more. Linden Lab feels their hand (and presumably the attached eye) has been forced. Linden Lab is taking "a more active role in the event."

This means at least one of the groups of communities that has been the mainstay of the previous four anniversary events is being refused participation this year.

The SL Children communities in Second Life (adults who role-play children in a family-friendly, G-rated, wholesome, decent and fun way) had once again prepared one of their grand and enjoyable showcases -- indeed, at the third anniversary, the SL Children's displays and events were among the most popular -- but are being refused the right to participate for the first time in five years, apparently due to Linden Lab's fear of Mark Kirk and his ill-informed and unfounded assertions.

Far from being at risk, it's apparently even harder to find real children using Second Life than it is to find Jihadists -- who are apparently very thin on the ground indeed.

At this point it is not even clear as to whether juvenile avatars of adult users will even be permitted entry to the anniversary site, making this the first year that Linden Lab has not sponsored this community (actively or tacitly). Word is that the resident organizer of the anniversary celebration, SignpostMarv Martin has stood down from participation as a result.

Linden Lab (according to staff) is apparently afraid of the whole of Second Life being shut down at a legal level if it should show any implicit support of -- well, an activity that mental health professionals tell us we should be trying to find ways to do more of. Childlike play, and reliving our respective youths in positive and nourishing ways.

So, it looks like Linden Lab's support is going to have to go to the BDSM and sex communities instead this year. Because, heaven knows, those seem to meet with everyone's approval.

Update: Gor and BDSM communities are apparently not welcome anymore either. Any more that you might have expected to be a part that you now expect to be excluded?

Update: Organizer Ariel Otafuku has also stepped aside.

Update: We take a look at the reason that Linden Lab gave for their decision.