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So this has been weighing on a lot of players lately. Recently, Neopets staff made the decision not to take any direct action to protect LGBTQ+ users from bias and discrimination on their platforms (forums, site events, etc.). When concerns were raised, the response was either vague or dismissive, no clear plan, no policy update, nothing to show genuine support for queer users.
This lack of accountability has already led to a visible backlash. A number of longtime players have either canceled their premium memberships or are in the process of stepping away from the community entirely. Some are voicing their concerns publicly; others are quietly removing themselves from a space they no longer feel safe or respected in.
And here’s the thing, it’s not about forcing a brand to be political. It’s about ensuring a basic level of protection and respect for all users, especially those who face regular targeted harassment. For a game that thrives off nostalgia, community, and inclusivity, this feels like a major misstep.
Whether you’re a current player, an old-school fan watching from the sidelines, or someone who’s supported the game financially—it’s worth asking:
What kind of community do we want Neopets to be? And what kind of message does silence send?
Curious to hear how others feel about this. Have you noticed more users leaving? Are you sticking around or stepping back? And if you’re queer or marginalized—how safe do you really feel on the site these days?
This has led to many users canceling their premium subscriptions and potentially leaving the Neopets community.
The incident was recently discussed on the Neopets subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/neopets/s/d4RNm1R7vW
“So, uh, anyone see the drama going on in Gendisc atm?
General Neopets Discussion
General discussion about Neopets topics ONLY.
Apparently, transphobic users were dogpiling on trans users. The mods weren’t deleting the transphobic threads, but they were deleting the positive trans threads. People wrote into support and submitted tickets, and this is what TNT came up with, lol???
Here’s an Imgur link with some screenshots of the transphobic comments. Thanks, /u/CytricAcid.”*
Multiple users from the LGBT community have since responded to Neopets staff’s
members decision:
“Just canceled my membership. Get some average freebies from me if you cancel yours too!
Comment with a picture of your cancellation and ‘trans rights’ in the feedback, and let me know what you want.
Mine specifically stated that I am no longer passively allowing the website to mooch off its trans player base while simultaneously throwing them under the bus with zero protection against asinine and harassing remarks on the forums.
I’ll be spending my NP soon after, so link your shops or auctions if you want!
Do better, TNT.”
Additional context from Gendisc news:
• Users have expressed joy at being trans but have been met with troll threads about celebrating cis people. They’ve also faced harassment from other users.
• Last night, things escalated when TNT deleted multiple threads on the topic. People asking for clarity on moderation were silenced. This continued into today, with threads on the same issue being deleted. In an unusual move, TNT locked a thread this afternoon.
• Multiple users have been warned today and had all their threads deleted.
• At one point today, TNT suggested people submit a ticket, but then also encouraged them to use the report button, adding to the confusion about the moderation team. Who is in charge? Why are policies being applied inconsistently?
• Notably, TNT has told users in tickets that they “do not have time” to address harassment against trans users in threads. Some have been told the term “transphobic” is not allowed on the boards at all. These “shadow rules” are confusing and inappropriate.
• Allegedly, TNT has suggested that calling out harassment actually makes people the harassers. This part of the story remains unconfirmed, and the situation is still developing.
“transphobic users have been getting very comfortable the last year and we have been begging and pleading with TNT to do something about it.
TNT has also had a real good time deleting wholesome boards praising trans people and silencing them while boards go on for hours harassing and belittling us without any repercussions.
their answer to us writing in about it today begging for better moderation was to just sweep it all under the rug and make it so no offsite topics can be made.
thank you TNT! your neutrality on this speaks volumes!
“
What gets me, is that last week ON gendisc, a Premium Ambassador was sent to ask people why they weren't paying for Premium. There were a great many thoughtful responses, most of which had to do with the poor moderation, the way trans users are treated, and way the site is run.
And then they pull this.
Hmm, TNT, I wonder why no one wants to pay to use this website while trans people are being harassed/bullied, and you silence and censor the ones being harassed instead of communicating or trying to resolve the problem. And when responses ARE given, they're contantly conflicting with what other staff members have said and/or site rules and it leaves people lost and confused. I cancelled my subscription today--I've been fed up for a while but this passive aggressive response is the last straw for me. No perk is worth giving them my money.”

Here is a screenshot of a convo between the mods and another user who contacted them about the lack of punishing transphobic user.
A youtube video has also been released discussing Neopets transphobia situation.
It's been alleged that "People are being banned over fighting back against transphobia, but the transphobes aren't and everything is being swept under the rug.
A message to our Community and Players:
Hello Neopians,
First and foremost, we want you to know the Neopets Team stands proudly with our LGBTQIA+ community. You are an important part of our Neopian family, and we have zero tolerance for transphobia and any form of hate. We’re deeply sorry that our recent actions have caused hurt or made you feel unsupported. They were not intended to suppress or silence our trans community in any way. We're dedicated to fostering a space where the trans community feels valued and supported, and that includes updating long-standing policies and rules. You have our commitment.
We acknowledge that our communications around these topics have been unclear, and we totally get it. We're working on clearing things up and updating our chat rules to make them easier to follow. For now, it's best to refer to this FAQ as a guide, as we've shared some existing rules here for better visibility. We’ll keep updating and clarifying things over the next month as we gather more of your feedback and work it into our plans.
Please note that when a user is warned or silenced, all associated boards and posts are removed, which may lead to some confusion regarding non-offensive threads being taken down. If you see something offensive or hateful on the Neoboards, or elsewhere on Neopets.com, please use the report function instead of replying. This will best allow us to investigate the issue. We know our moderation policy needs work, and recent actions were a result of outdated rules that we haven’t reviewed since the takeover. It’s a big task, but we’re making it a priority to ensure all players feel safe, respected, and heard.
Here's our plan:
• Reviewing and updating our moderation policies
• Providing clearer chat guidelines
• Retraining our moderation team
• Ensuring consistent enforcement
• Gathering community feedback on potential rule updates
All your suggestions and concerns are being shared internally as we work toward real, meaningful change. Thank you again for speaking up! We hear you and we're here for you.
In full support and love for our community of dedicated and passionate players,
The Neopets Team
This lack of accountability has already led to a visible backlash. A number of longtime players have either canceled their premium memberships or are in the process of stepping away from the community entirely. Some are voicing their concerns publicly; others are quietly removing themselves from a space they no longer feel safe or respected in.
And here’s the thing, it’s not about forcing a brand to be political. It’s about ensuring a basic level of protection and respect for all users, especially those who face regular targeted harassment. For a game that thrives off nostalgia, community, and inclusivity, this feels like a major misstep.
Whether you’re a current player, an old-school fan watching from the sidelines, or someone who’s supported the game financially—it’s worth asking:
What kind of community do we want Neopets to be? And what kind of message does silence send?
Curious to hear how others feel about this. Have you noticed more users leaving? Are you sticking around or stepping back? And if you’re queer or marginalized—how safe do you really feel on the site these days?
This has led to many users canceling their premium subscriptions and potentially leaving the Neopets community.
The incident was recently discussed on the Neopets subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/neopets/s/d4RNm1R7vW
“So, uh, anyone see the drama going on in Gendisc atm?
General Neopets Discussion
General discussion about Neopets topics ONLY.
Apparently, transphobic users were dogpiling on trans users. The mods weren’t deleting the transphobic threads, but they were deleting the positive trans threads. People wrote into support and submitted tickets, and this is what TNT came up with, lol???
Here’s an Imgur link with some screenshots of the transphobic comments. Thanks, /u/CytricAcid.”*
Multiple users from the LGBT community have since responded to Neopets staff’s
members decision:
“Just canceled my membership. Get some average freebies from me if you cancel yours too!
Comment with a picture of your cancellation and ‘trans rights’ in the feedback, and let me know what you want.
Mine specifically stated that I am no longer passively allowing the website to mooch off its trans player base while simultaneously throwing them under the bus with zero protection against asinine and harassing remarks on the forums.
I’ll be spending my NP soon after, so link your shops or auctions if you want!
Do better, TNT.”
Additional context from Gendisc news:
• Users have expressed joy at being trans but have been met with troll threads about celebrating cis people. They’ve also faced harassment from other users.
• Last night, things escalated when TNT deleted multiple threads on the topic. People asking for clarity on moderation were silenced. This continued into today, with threads on the same issue being deleted. In an unusual move, TNT locked a thread this afternoon.
• Multiple users have been warned today and had all their threads deleted.
• At one point today, TNT suggested people submit a ticket, but then also encouraged them to use the report button, adding to the confusion about the moderation team. Who is in charge? Why are policies being applied inconsistently?
• Notably, TNT has told users in tickets that they “do not have time” to address harassment against trans users in threads. Some have been told the term “transphobic” is not allowed on the boards at all. These “shadow rules” are confusing and inappropriate.
• Allegedly, TNT has suggested that calling out harassment actually makes people the harassers. This part of the story remains unconfirmed, and the situation is still developing.
“transphobic users have been getting very comfortable the last year and we have been begging and pleading with TNT to do something about it.
TNT has also had a real good time deleting wholesome boards praising trans people and silencing them while boards go on for hours harassing and belittling us without any repercussions.
their answer to us writing in about it today begging for better moderation was to just sweep it all under the rug and make it so no offsite topics can be made.
thank you TNT! your neutrality on this speaks volumes!
“
What gets me, is that last week ON gendisc, a Premium Ambassador was sent to ask people why they weren't paying for Premium. There were a great many thoughtful responses, most of which had to do with the poor moderation, the way trans users are treated, and way the site is run.
And then they pull this.
Hmm, TNT, I wonder why no one wants to pay to use this website while trans people are being harassed/bullied, and you silence and censor the ones being harassed instead of communicating or trying to resolve the problem. And when responses ARE given, they're contantly conflicting with what other staff members have said and/or site rules and it leaves people lost and confused. I cancelled my subscription today--I've been fed up for a while but this passive aggressive response is the last straw for me. No perk is worth giving them my money.”

Here is a screenshot of a convo between the mods and another user who contacted them about the lack of punishing transphobic user.
A youtube video has also been released discussing Neopets transphobia situation.
It's been alleged that "People are being banned over fighting back against transphobia, but the transphobes aren't and everything is being swept under the rug.
An Announcement From The Neopets Team Regarding Recent Community Concerns has been released:
A message to our Community and Players:
Hello Neopians, First and foremost, we want you to know the Neopets Team stands proudly with our LGBTQIA+ community. You are an important part of our Neopian family, and we have zero tolerance for transphobia and any form of hate. We’re deeply sorry that our recent actions have caused hurt or made you feel unsupported. They were not intended to suppress or silence our trans community in any way. We're dedicated to fostering a space where the trans community feels valued and supported, and that includes updating long-standing policies and rules. You have our commitment.
We acknowledge that our communications around these topics have been unclear, and we totally get it. We're working on clearing things up and updating our chat rules to make them easier to follow. For now, it's best to refer to this FAQ as a guide, as we've shared some existing rules here for better visibility. We’ll keep updating and clarifying things over the next month as we gather more of your feedback and work it into our plans.
Please note that when a user is warned or silenced, all associated boards and posts are removed, which may lead to some confusion regarding non-offensive threads being taken down. If you see something offensive or hateful on the Neoboards, or elsewhere on Neopets.com, please use the report function instead of replying. This will best allow us to investigate the issue. We know our moderation policy needs work, and recent actions were a result of outdated rules that we haven’t reviewed since the takeover. It’s a big task, but we’re making it a priority to ensure all players feel safe, respected, and heard.
Here's our plan:
• Reviewing and updating our moderation policies
• Providing clearer chat guidelines
• Retraining our moderation team
• Ensuring consistent enforcement
• Gathering community feedback on potential rule updates
All your suggestions and concerns are being shared internally as we work toward real, meaningful change. Thank you again for speaking up! We hear you and we're here for you.
In full support and love for our community of dedicated and passionate players,
The Neopets Team
