Intellectual Property and Theft: A Rant

Patron- a person chosen, named, or honored as a special guardian, protector, or supporter. 

A Patron holds a responsibility to help protect the art of creator they support.

Patreon....is a place for creators to interact with their PATRONS. It isn't just a fun name. The whole fucking name of this website is derived from the concept of patronage. Look it up. So it boggles my mind when people get on this platform, MY safe space to share my art, and steal that same art.

Again, to my true Patrons, you are my reason for sharing our creations. I deeply appreciate your support. I am happy you are here and couldn't do this without you.

For those parading as patrons on this forum, only to steal and reproduce our life’s work, ultimately I make the rules. If you don't like them, leave. I’ll keep your money. The rules are few but they're concrete. You will not speak despairingly about my children, my loved ones, myself, other femmes and thems, sex workers, marginalized people, persons with mental or physical illness or disability, different races, creeds, ethnicities, or cultures in a negative or derogatory manner. I will block you and I will keep your money.  

You will not speak inappropriately to me, ESPECIALLY after I have set such hard and clear boundaries about what is and is not acceptable. Do not message me your sexual requests, fantasies, this is not Burger King. You don’t get things “your way”. I will block you and I will keep your money. And will certainly not come into my home, steal my property, and redistribute it in real or digital spaces. It's a violation of DMCA, I've got a great lawyer, and I use him often for these types of issues. Oh! And I will block you and I will keep your money. 

This isn't a joke. This isn't something I take lightly. It takes, time, patience, and a very particular “mental instability” to make my art. Also it is often made in very dangerous circumstances. Yes, we are literally risking our lives often to bring you these images and films. We strive to create unique, meaningful, magnificent content.

My costumes are purchased either a) bespoke and take time because slow fashion is worth it or b) vintage and require research and reconstruction. Sometimes, costumes are made by my own two hands. We spend hours upon backbreaking hours to sew, hand stitch, stone a costume. Then I have to take the time to do my hair and makeup, drive, fly , swim, boat, Paddleboard to location OR prepare my studio space for the shoot, take the photographs and video, upload them, edit them, add them to my sites with Jeremy and then market them. And that's for one shoot. The other day we did a shoot and took 12 hours total, over 500 photos and only a handful of them turned out. It's exhausting work that never stops. And then to see someone has greedily stolen our hard work AND bragged about it online or to me in my private messages, again, in my digital home. 

These are photos and films of my physical body, my physical home, my harbor In this life. The amount of entitlement you have to have to come into a safe space and lay claim to someone else's physical body and body of work, is bewildering. It’s the epitome of male supremacy. It hinders trust and kills creativity.

By being here we are entering into a consensual agreement. By stealing my art and reproducing it, reselling it or showing it for free on other forums for bragging rights you are violating that consent. You are showing your character.

Know that I see you. I have you by name. Yup, you. Where you live and your number. I realize it the only way for you to gain my attention but it’s not the type of attention you were looking for. Nor will it ever be.

I’m watching and waiting for the universe to catch up with you, and it will. I promise. I’ll make sure of it.

For those loyal patrons, I’m sending you my love. Thank you for enduring this rant once again. You, true patrons are my heart and soul. I look forward to checking my messages, posting content for you, our sweet conversations, your unique perspectives that take such care to convey. You are the folks who inspire me daily. Thank you for respecting and protecting my safe space, intellectual property and my heart.

I appreciate you!