Talk:Rachel Lloyd

BLP censorship edits and deletion of reference

I manually reverted the censored edits and deletion of references by User:MeditationSpace.

1. MeditationSpace is a professional affiliate of Rachel Lloyd apparent through inclusion of her name, along with original research in the edits that were made. This presents a conflict of interest. While there are times that edits can be made by an individual with a conflict of interest, this conflict must, nevertheless, be declared. Additionally, edits must be accompanied by reliable secondary and third-party publications and sources appropriate for BLP.

While I understand that MeditationSpace is concerned about inclusion of information that she considers insensitive, according to policy, WP is not censored. Inclusions of this nature would not be appropriate without citing reliable references. However, these citations have been included. Lloyd has shared her background in international and national media outlets, which have been properly sourced within the article. Exclusion of this information is inappropriate and diminishes the thoroughness of this biography.

Additionally, Lloyd is the founder of a national human trafficking organization, with a background speaking before national and international organizations sharing her story. These organizations include the United Nations, major colleges and universities, national news media, and the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on the Judiciary pertaining to Human Rights and the Law. She has received international honors and awards for her social advocacy, based on her personal background, "war story," and advocacy work.

2. I removed "crystal ball" content regarding Lifetime movie and autobiography. When the film is broadcast and the book is published, those items should be re-added to this article.

3. I removed undue content regarding the programs and services of the organization founded by Lloyd. This information is best appropriate for the organization's article. I also diffused general content of the organization, not appropriate for BLP. Cindamuse (talk) 01:24, 11 July 2010 (UTC)

Response to Rachel Lloyd Facebook message

Today I received an email on my personal Facebook account identified as coming from Rachel Lloyd. The author disclosed that she has been making edits to the article. She expressed her concerns over her article being edited by others and reverted to poorly sourced and inaccurate material. The essence of the message is the following:

As a survivor of commercial sexual exploitation, I have had to overcome a lot of stigma and prejudice, and now 16 years out of the life find it disturbing to be framed in an online encyclopedia as a former prostitute and have judgmental commentary pulled from a couple of poorly written, inaccurate articles.

As you well know, many people use Wikipedia as a primary source and view it as the gospel. Your version of my life, (which is wildly inaccurate and derogatory) has now made its way to several other sites as my official bio.

I hope that as an abolitionist you can understand the importance of using accurate and sensitive language and in not perpetually re-victimizing those of us who happen to be honest about our prior exploitation. I also hope as a person you can recognize that I'm a real person who has to live with people's judgments every day. I don't need a Wikipedia page to make it worse.

I've chosen to respond here rather than perpetuate conversation on Facebook regarding edits on Wikipedia. Additionally, edits on Wikipedia involve more than just one editor. This is a group effort. Any number of editors can and will add content to any article.

Regarding this article, while I understand the concerns, editors on Wikipedia are compelled to offer the truth. Unfortunately, presenting the truth may not always display us in the best possible light. It is not acceptable to remove sources or sourced material simply because the subject objects to it. If an incident or part of the subject's life is notable, relevant, and well-documented, it belongs in the article—even if it is negative and the subject dislikes all mention of it. Such is the case with the personal background included in the Rachel Lloyd article.

I have revised the lede to introduce Lloyd as a survivor rather than simply a prostitute. However, Wikipedia requires articles to present lede information indicating why the subject is notable for inclusion in the encyclopedia. Thorough biographies include a summary of the subject's background or life prior to the reference of notability. The childhood and "war story" is applicable to the article and notability of Lloyd. The background forms the basis for the current life and measure of notability.

Wikipedia is an encyclopedia that offers articles based on reliable secondary and third-party sources. Contentious material about a living person can be removed if unsourced or poorly sourced. Sources provided for the Rachel Lloyd article are reliable. There is no validity to questioning the integrity of The Queens Courier, The Daily Telegraph, The Washington Times, or any of the other sources used.

We cannot include content that is based on primary sources. This includes information received from either the official website, or the representative or subject of the article. Information offered in this manner must be backed up by and attributed to reliable secondary and third party sources. Additionally, we cannot include original research, that is, information that is not already published by reliable sources.

Please know that the information included in the article is not "my" version of the life of Rachel Lloyd, but rather the information compiled from reliable sources. I have not included personal commentary or opinions in the article. That said, I have removed:

• the date of birth. (Wikipedia requires the inclusion of year and place of birth. Omissions are flagged by Wikipedia.)
• references made in the Queens Courier article using the term "wild child".

I have added content regarding accomplishments, as well as additional sources throughout the article to ensure continuity and verifiability.

Additional reading:

• Wikipedia is not censored
• Public figures on Wikipedia
• An article about yourself
• No original research
• Law of Unintended Consequences

When you find inaccurate information, please post a message here on this talk page. If accurate information can be attributed to reliable sources, an editor will be able to make the appropriate change. Honestly, most editors here are on Wikipedia in order to help, rather than harm. That is certainly my goal. If I knew of something on any article that I knew was wrong, I would probably be the first to delete it. As far as Facebook, I have no problem with people contacting me there. However, if someone wants to discuss issues regarding Wikipedia, it is best to maintain the flow of information and include all interested Wikipedians in the conversation. I wouldn't want to leave anyone out. Respect and regards, Cindamuse (talk) 01:41, 20 July 2010 (UTC)

Edits

Dear Cindamuse

We see that you reverted back the changes we made the introduction paragraph to Rachel Lloyd's bio. We changed it to the below and have added sources. There are no original reliable sources that use the phrase British Business Executive and memoirist and abolitionist.

Rachel Lloyd (born 1975) is the Founder and CEO http://www.gems-girls.org/about/our-team/our-founder, author and anti human-trafficking advocate http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ij_6iMi9gA She is known for her work advocating for commercially sexually exploited and domestically trafficked girls and young women.http://www.nywf.org/cwb2013-honoree-bios/ She immigrated to the US in 1997 and began working to end domestic sex trafficking, primarily focusing on addressing the commercial sexual exploitation of children and young women.

Additionally here are some other sources that refer to her has Founder and CEO http://ncfy.acf.hhs.gov/media-center/podcasts/voices-field-rachel-lloyd

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/beautycom-launches-gems-for-gems-an-exclusive-line-of-erickson-beamon-hair-accessories-for-charity-226011371.html

We understand your desire that Wikipedia pages contain truthful and accurate information, so please accept these changes to correct current descriptors that are not accurate or sourced correctly. 71.249.196.29 (talk) 18:40, 26 February 2014 (UTC) Bindu Balan Development and Communications Director - Girls Educational and Mentoring Services