Recently, the owner of Reef2Reef, Rev. David Hammontree, has taken a clear anti-LGBTQ position by not permitting LGBTQ persons equal treatment on the forums of Reef2Reef.com.
A thread posted to the forum, simply started by an LGBTQ+ person who was seeking out other LGBTQ+ people in the hobby to discuss their fish tanks, was removed the following day. Shortly thereafter the site's owner, Rev. Hammontree, posted an announcement, which was also temporarily brought to the attention of all users who subsequently visited the site as a pop-up message.
Notably, this announcement contains clear double-speak and an anti-LGBTQ sentiment. One cannot claim: "one of the reasons that R2R was even started was because we wanted to create a space that was completely family-friendly, warm, and inviting to everyone and that would unite us around our common love for reefing" and then proceed to claim: "I do want to clarify that this is not meant to say that someone may not identify their gender identity or sexual orientation. ... We're simply asking that we not have entire threads/discussions dedicated to this type of topic."
This also presents a clear double-standard, as parallel threads have long existed on the forum. Notably, a prayer thread and a Women in Reefing thread are present. This furthers the impression of an anti-LGBTQ position of the owner of Reef2Reef.
While the Terms of Service were recently updated to remove negative language against LGBTQ people, a positive first step, the clear double standard mentioned above remains and still serves as an anti-LGBTQ position. Also, refer to the update posted to this petition on 1/11/21 with a timeline of events, illustrating R2R's troubling behavior on this matter. We simply request that Reef2Reef allow non-sexual discussion threads dedicated to LGBTQ members seeking a common bond.
6 months have passed, and nothing has changed. The troubling discrimination only continues with Pride Month.
