Transformers Fandom Support

We at TFFS believe in happy, healthy fandoms where people can express their love for a ship (whether it's fanart, fanfiction, RPing, etc), headcanons and interpretations without fear of being bullied, harassed or otherwise antagonized and written off as horrible people. Unfortunately it has gotten to this point in the Transformers fandom. Time and time again we have seen outrageous accusations being thrown at fans for what kind of ships they like, their interpretation of a scene, character, and so on. A lot of it goes quiet. People get scared. People stop sharing within the community out of fear. People are afraid of speaking out about the bullying they see right before their eyes, especially if their friends are the ones doing it. People are antagonized to the point where they leave RP, leave tumblr, or leave the fandom altogether. The moderators of this blog have been doing a lot of thinking and came to the decision to take it upon ourselves to offer a safe place for fans to talk about the abuse they've suffered from bullies within the fandom. Or even reasons why they stayed quiet about the abuse, or stopped sharing their fanwork. We want to offer support and love. No one deserves to be accused of being an abuser, rapist or anything because of who they ship or what they think of fictional characters. Transformers Fandom Support is a place where you can go on anon (or not, if you're comfortable with it) and share your experiences with TF fandom bullying. Where you can share your pain and your struggles, and where we will offer you a virtual hand to hold. **IMPORTANT:** This is not a place to perpetuate community conflict or drama, so we ask that you refrain from using names/URLs in your confessions. (Unless of course it is a positive story of support, we encourage you to share those as well! Please! Spread the love!) If asks or submissions contain names/URLs we will edit them out. Please try to stick to the guidelines, but we understand if you have to have someone be made aware of a particular offender...Just know that we will edit it out because we do not want to create more trouble for anyone. **ANOTHER NOTE:** This is also not just some confession blog where you come and say how you don't like so-and-so's RP style or you hate that this artist only draws the ship you hate, etc etc etc. We just want a happy fandom again. Part of that is speaking out openly about the kinds of fan behaviors that are unacceptable so that when we see it happening we can be strong and put our foot down. Another part is offering each other support. Safe places where we can talk about this. And reassurances and as many e-hugs as we can dish out. You are loved and supported.

[tfpositive]

                                      Till all are ONE.

       >> Hello! This is Sib speaking. It’s come to my attention that the transformers fandom is in a sort of….delicate state. Recently I witnessed a fellow fan ask for simple positive messages and receive quite the opposite of that. There is a desire to prove that our ships are the right one and our headcanons/ideas are the true canon ideas that everyone should follow - or risk being cast out for having otherwise different opinions. 

It is wrong and cruel to put down others for simply liking a different aspect of the series than others. We are so much better than that. And to allow the work of a fictional series govern our actions against others? This shouldn’t be how our fandom functions. Let us instead embrace the different ideas of one another and think about the GOOD that transformers has brought us. As well as the wonderful things our fandom has brought into the world. 

                             Let’s bring back positivity to Transformers once again. 

        This blog will serve the following (will update list later if needed): -Shoutouts to fans/RPers/Fanartists/Fanfiction writers -Daily positive reminders (Some of which will be queued) -Answer questions or concerns that other users have to the best of our ability -Only SFW postings for now (trying to keep it safe for underage members as well)

Thank you all and I hope you have a lovely day/night!

-Sib

[transformersfandomsupport]

Followers, for a more active positive TF blog look here. :)

[transformersfandomsupport]

Things have been difficult for us the past several months. We apologize for not being around as much. We’re still here and we still support you.

TFFS

[transformersfandomsupport]

Positive post- Because of the support I've had from the people in this fandom I haven't self harmed or wanted to for over a year now! There are a lot of lovely people on this site regardless of all the hate, you guys included x

[harveyjames-deactivated20190122]

'Steven Universe' fandom is melting down after bullied fanartist attempts suicide

Controversy surrounding a 'Steven Universe' fanartist has spread to the creative team that supported her.

PSA: Bullying someone to the point of suicide is morally no different to murder. No art could ever be as “problematic” as the actions of that community against this young woman. If you participated in this, and her suicide attempt had been successful, then her blood would have been on your hands. Shame on you.  I usually stay out of this sort of thing, but I felt compelled to comment on this because it hit close to home. See, I’ve made my fair share of sick, gross art that some people hated. But I love it, my friends love it, and I made it for us, so I’m fine with other people not liking it. Same goes for Rebecca Sugar’s pervy Ed, Edd and Eddy fanart she did when she was 16. It’s for her, not you. Really, there are two ways to respond to a piece of art you don’t like: 1.) Stop looking at it 2.) Make a better piece of art. That’s it. Those are the ONLY TWO responses. It’s not your job to police other artists. Let other people do their thing. Think more, make more, react less.  In comics and animation, I’ve noticed something I call the “Dolores Umbridge Paradox”. That is, the people who’re obsessed with sick, gross, dark humour tend to be the biggest sweethearts in real life. The people who only want to see cute, innocent characters getting up to cute, innocent stuff usually turn out to be the nastiest, most vindictive shitheads. Maybe your experience has been different, but it’s something I’ve found to be generally true.  Having been both the caller-outer and the called-out in situations like this, I think I can reflect on this with some experience. If you are truly an ethical person, and you believe yourself to be on the right side of history, think about what you’re doing before you start a campaign of harrassment against an artist like Zamii. I’d like the people involved in this recent shitshow (and any future shitshow) to ask themselves the following questions: -Do you believe yourself to be affecting positive change, or are you just getting caught up in the thrill of taking someone down? -Is this Steven Universe fanartist (or whoever) really the worst person you could be going after right now, or just the easiest? -And what’s worse- their art, or being complicit in the act of ruining another person’s life? Again: No art could ever be as problematic as a thousand people bullying someone to the point of suicide. 

[aprillikesthings]

Oh hey, some of this sounds eerily familiar!

[vulgarweed]

Indeed. The “Dolores Umbridge Paradox,” that’s brilliant. It’s so real. You know who else tends to be really nice, in my experience? Horror writers and death metal musicians. People who have a creative outlet for the darkest, bloodiest, most sadistic and aggressive side of inner lives - and therefore don’t have to carry it around with them all the time. They have a safe place to put it. That is one of the things that art and fiction is FOR.

[luckydecay]

I’m not in the SU fandom, but this is important and relatable in EVERY fandom, because it happens again and again. Take note.

Don’t police art.

Don’t police fiction.

However, if you have a real, legitimate concern, if you want a discussion about content, handle it with poise. Do not play into a sick and twisted game of taking someone down while enjoying every minute of it, all the while masquerading as a kind and gentle hero.

Don’t be a Dolores Umbridge.

[transformersfandomsupport]

Does anyone have any positive or funny stories about being in the TF fandom? Please share them with us!

(And specify if you would like it to be anonymous names taken out!)

-TFFS

[transformersfandomsupport]

We have two new mods though we can’t always guarantee a fast response as we like to queue and space things out to avoid spamming followers with stressful things.

But this is still a good place to spread self care tips after dealing with bullying and a safe place to seek advice.

Remember to specify if you would like to be anonymous or if you would like us to only answer privately. Most of the time we will post things as anonymous in order to protect you.

Last year around this time we had someone blackmailing one of our own into doing something that really hurt someone who was already being manipulated by their peers in the RP community, so we’re incredibly vigilant about keeping that from happening again because someone innocent got hurt. We had to block several people who we thought we could trust when the truth came to light. 

Let’s keep working towards healing this fandom. Together. 

-TFFS

[transformersfandomsupport]

Hello! I wanted to let all of you know that [redacted] deleted their tumblr account [redacted]. I still recommend that we be careful though because [redacted] is known for deleting tumblr accounts and making new ones when they get caught being a bully by a lot of people after a while. Stay safe!

Redacted because naming names often leads to more bullying but here is a heads up to be aware that the same bullies will often change their names.

-TFFS

[transformersfandomsupport]

You know what! BIG HUGS FOR THE WHOLE FANDOM! And for the people behind this blog. Hugs and love, because that is what we need. -nods-

Agreed. Hugs all around. 

-TFFS

[transformersfandomsupport]

There's someone I follow who I enjoy seeing art and other things Transformers from, but their reblogs dealing with politics and the like are rather wearing mentally. I'm too nervous to send an anon asking for them to tag their posts for various reasons. I'm unsure of what to do.

We’ve had experiences like this. Especially with a lot of the younger fandom who tend to get extremely invested in politics even if their only understanding of a topic is what they learned by reading posts that paint people as good or bad based on their labels or what they don’t know or understand. 

Sometimes, a tough decision has to be made and an artist you really like might need to be unfollowed for your own mental health. 

-TFFS

[transformersfandomsupport]

(1) I just started up recently, I was doing good and everything was rolling smoothly; but, now I'm not sure. This other account followed me, but I felt as if we didn't click very well so I didn't follow back. Well, they ignored my rules of being mutuals only and sent something in anyway. I decided they weren't that bad, I suppose, and decided to go ahead and follow them back and started to roleplay with them. Well, then they started to try to force ship and I wasn't down for it.

(2) I tried to stay nice, letting them down easy; but, they kept pushing. they also became really pushy over posting, so I couldn’t take it any more and blocked them. Though they seemed to have a lot of friends, and now I’m fearing all the anon hate I’m going to get over this. I feel awful for having blocked them; but, I just can’t deal with that. I was doing so well, and now it’s like this one person has single handedly ruined my blog…

Something that has helped us feel freer in RP is to realize that no one is in control but us. 

Bad experiences are bad experiences. Some people won’t listen or take hints, or even respond well to a direct OOC message about the unwanted behavior. Some people might need to be blocked. Some people might try to start drama.

But your RP blog is your RP blog and no one else’s. You are free.

-TFFS

[transformersfandomsupport]

Love you guys!

<3

-TFFS

[transformersfandomsupport]

I'm not new to the transformers fandom,but I am new to roleplaying on Tumblr.I got it all set up, and tried to get everything right.I waited a bit, because I know nothing happens right away...but, after having the blog for almost a year,no one seem interested.I even went the route of using a canon character because I know OC's aren't treated very well.I had to delete it,and it hurts.Everyone seemed so nice,but they also all seemed to know each other and it's like you have to know someone.

It might seem intimidating, but the only way to get to know people in the community is to reach out. Chat with their characters a little and see what happens. If you’re too forward and launch your character into their space for a face to face RP without seeing if this is okay first, it could be a turn off. Ease into things. And most importantly, remember to have fun.

-TFFS

[transformersfandomsupport]

We’re still listening.

TFFS

[roseofpyrewood-blog]

Cease and Desist

Normally I try to stay out of the drama on tumblr but I can’t. Not anymore. There is so much of it going on right now, and it’s not just drama. It’s straight up cyber bullying.

Let me tell you a little something.

Cyber bullying kills.

Not in all cases, thank goodness, otherwise half the population would be dead because guess what? There’s a stupid amount of bullies here.

The anon function is not to be used to hide behind and send slanderous messages, to send hate mail and cower behind. That person you’re bullying when you do that? They’re a human being. With real feelings. You may not be able to see the damage you are doing but rest assured, you are doing damage. That human being on the other side of the screen that you’re breaking into a thousand pieces, calling them lowsome names and trying to say they are childish? They are ten times the person you will EVER be. They are not cowering behind the safety net of not having words come back to them. They are not belittling and harming a person’s self esteem which may or may not already be battered down.

And that’s just one example of cyber bullying, but it’s the most reoccurring thing I have seen here.

Look below. Look at these faces. 

Rehtaeh Parsons

Ryan Halligan

Amanda Todd

Tyler Clementi

Megan Meier

Jessica Logan

These beautiful souls all have two things in common.

They are victims of cyber bullying, and they are no longer with us due to suicide influenced by cyber bullying.

They are just a small handful of the lives we have lost to cyber bullying and bullying in general. 

Cease and desist your cruel acts, because you are just short of a murderer when you cause a person to think so lowly of themselves and their life, and to think that things will never be better to the point they are so miserable to take their life.

REMEMBER! The person on the other side of the screen is a human being and you do not know what their life is like off of the screen. You do not have the right to bully them and remember that your cruel, venomous actions could cause another misery.

That being said, if you are a victim of cyber bullying… Please, remember there are plenty of people who would care and miss you. Friends. Family. People you have yet to meet. Remember that no matter how low you are, things can always get better and improve. Remember that there are people who are ready and willing to speak to you. There are plenty of hotlines, and plenty of people such as myself who are always willing to open an ear and lend a shoulder to those who need it– Regardless on if we’ve spoken before or not.

[transformersfandomsupport]

You guys are the shining star of this darkening fandom. Thank you, and thank everyone else who's been holding on through this whole ordeal. You've all been so strong and we're all proud of you.

Thank you for standing by us.

-TFFS

[transformersfandomsupport]

A few years ago the tumblr Tf rp community seemed so open. I took a break for a few years for RL reasons and recently came back and it's like everyone is afraid to rp with me. Just wondering what happened? -outtatheloop

Call-out culture and romanticizing abuse through actual abuse in the name of saving people happened.

-TFFS

[transformersfandomsupport]

Hey, thanks for doing such a great job helping those who are in need of a safe place to vent. I hope someday, this fandom can go back to the way it was when I first joined it.

We hope so too.

-TFFS