Not Safe For Work = A Measured Approach

Blog + Vintage Photos

LONG STORY SHORT(ER)

My work DOES include visual depictions
of male nudity for artistic purposes.

My work DOES NOT include visual depictions
of sexual acts for the sole purpose of sexual gratification.

In practical terms, I’m drawing the line at full frontal nudity.
No engagement or stimulation. Erections optional.

MY GOAL IS TO SPOTLIGHT THE BEAUTY, DIVERSITY,
AND HUMANITY OF MEN, PAST AND PRESENT.

NSFW (“Not Safe For Work”) is one of those abbreviations most of us use, but most of us don’t realize how much its meaning can shift, depending on who you ask, when you ask, and where you ask.

For me, NSFW doesn’t have to be explicit, vulgar, or even sexual.
For me, NSFW is more about context and intent than content.

Let’s be real: Not as many folks are as worried about someone peeking over their shoulders at work anymore. The world has changed a lot in a relatively short time. We’re living in an era where many of us are our own bosses. Whether we’re still working or retired, most of us “work” from home in t-shirts and shorts. If that.

The last time I worked in an office, I was more worried about the digital spyware the tech team warned me the company was using.

HOW I DEFINE “NSFW”

When I think of NSFW, I consider it content that requires some level of discretion based on its audience. It’s not necessarily X-rated but might make some people uncomfortable due to cultural standards, personal values, or workplace policies.

For me, NSFW is more about content that challenges norms, embraces authenticity, and/or explores topics that aren’t necessarily advertiser- or family-friendly.

In my work, especially when dealing with LGBTQ themes, the line between SFW and NSFW is arbitrary and subjective. Tasteful nudes in a museum collection are often flagged as inappropriate by algorithms and bot police. But sexy photos of underwear models usually make the cut. Emphasis on “usually.”

On social media platforms like Threads, even text-based conversations about queer identity, no matter how thoughtful, regularly get flagged as “sensitive” purely based on the subject matter.

But here's the truth: There’s nothing intrinsically wrong with NSFW content.

Unless someone decides there’s something wrong with it, NSFW can represent any kind of art, activism, or expression “mainstream” society doesn’t agree with or like.

And when it comes to NSFW, platforms like YouTube and Substack treat content—and creators—very, very, very differently. Like night and day differently.

YOUTUBE = BIG ALGORITHM IS (ALWAYS) WATCHING

YouTube’s litany of Community Guidelines can be interpreted any which way their army of bots and bureaucrats decide to on any given day. Based on my experience, double standards and exceptions abound. Especially for those of us making content that challenges “The Male Gaze” (by focusing our gaze on men instead of women).

YOUTUBE’S NUDITY & SEXUAL CONTENT GUIDELINES

Don’t post content on YouTube if it shows:

• The depiction of clothed or unclothed genitals, breasts, or buttocks that are meant for sexual gratification.

• Pornography, the depiction of sexual acts, or fetishes that are meant for sexual gratification.

Other types of content that violate this policy:

• Masturbation

• Fondling or groping of genitals, breasts, or buttocks

• Using sex toys to give viewers sexual gratification

• Nudity or partial nudity that’s meant for sexual gratification

• Non-consensual sex acts or the promotion or glorification of non-consensual sex acts, such as sexual assault, incest, bestiality, or zoophilia

• Unwanted sexualization such as non-consensually shared imagery or voyeurism

• Wardrobe accidents or nude photo leaks

• Non-consensual zooming in or prolonged focused or emphasis on the breasts, buttocks or genital area for the purpose of sexual gratification

• Violent, graphic, or humiliating fetish content where the purpose is sexual gratification

• Aggregating content that’s meant for sexual gratification

• Any sexual content involving minors — see our Child Safety on YouTube page for more information

Note: The above list isn't complete.

YouTube claims its views on NSFW content is to protect advertisers and audiences. But if any corporate tool that thinks they’re protecting anyone from NSFW content hasn’t used a search engine (including Google) in their life.

Also, for the record, most advertisers don’t give a rat’s ass about nudity and/or sex. As long as it sells—and nudity and sex do—they’re happy. And YouTube is more than happy to take money to run ads their own policies won’t allow on the platform. Fact.

Original content Google considers too edgy (not “advertiser-friendly” in corporate speak) is penalized, through community guideline strikes or demonetization.

I’ve received multiple strikes and “Ad Suitability” penalties. For some of the dumbest, most random reasons. The platform seems to be run by a bot army that doesn’t care or understand anything about context or nuance.

A video discussing art history might be flagged as unsuitable for all audiences, and even a harmless link to public domain images can result in a strike…or, in my case, two strikes in less than two months. And a total of three weeks of forced “breaks” from the platform.

YouTube's obsession with policing what they deem NSFW frustrates and infuriates me. They claim to be protecting children and upholding “community standards,” but don’t seem to mind sponsoring violent content or mindless clickbait.

Drawing lines about even censored human bodies and sexuality, YouTube likes to play the role of moral guardian, but ends up looking more like the overzealous gatekeeper of human history.

SUBSTACK = A PLATFORM FOR ADULTS

Substack, on the other hand, takes a much more mature and nuanced approach about NSFW content. For one thing, the platform respects the intelligence of its audiences and creators alike.

Instead of filtering content based on complex “community guidelines” like YouTube, Substack has a clear, concise set of Content Guidelines.

Here’s what it has to say about NSFW content (emphasis mine):

SUBSTACK’S NUDITY, PORN, EROTICA POLICY

We don’t allow porn or sexually exploitative content on Substack, including any visual depictions of sexual acts for the sole purpose of sexual gratification. We do allow depictions of nudity for artistic, journalistic, or related purposes, as well as erotic literature, however, we have a strict no nudity policy for profile images. We may hide or remove explicit content from Substack’s discovery features, including search and on Substack.com.

Seems reasonable to me. Clear too. Common sense is so rare these days, so appreciate Substack’s simple, thoughtful approach.

Substack also isn’t governed by the whims of advertisers.

While there are still rules—obviously illegal or truly harmful content isn’t tolerated—the platform doesn’t go out of its way to censor creators or slap “sensitive content” labels on everything remotely controversial.

Substack facilitates real conversations about real things, which is why I consider it the silver lining to my dark days as a YouTube nightmares. Substack is where I can share my thoughts on art, history, and sexuality without constantly worrying about whether I’ve violated some arbitrary guideline that’s being applied as subjectively as possible against me and other LGBTQ creators.

What I love most is that Substack trusts its community. Readers decide they want to engage with (and support), and creators have the freedom to explore more nuanced, personal, or controversial subjects without fear of being buried by an algorithm or losing their platform altogether.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Ultimately, my work—whether it’s a blog post, a video, or a photo—will always toe the line between what some consider NSFW and what I consider necessary. Whether it’s showcasing the male form in a way that’s both artistic and bold or discussing LGBTQ+ identity and history, I refuse to shy away from topics just because they make someone uncomfortable. The world doesn’t need more sanitized content. It needs more honest, thoughtful conversations.

Substack allows that. YouTube? Not so much. The platform’s fixation on keeping everything “safe” waters down the conversation, and creators like me end up having to tiptoe around the truth.

So, the truth about NSFW (for me) is this: it’s often just content that makes people pause and think. And in today’s world, where algorithms rule and advertisers dictate what’s considered acceptable, finding a space where you can be real is more important than ever.

And that’s why Substack is my NSFW-friendly platform of choice. It respects the messy, complicated, beautiful world we live in—and the fact that not everything worth saying is safe for work.

Thanks for reading and subscribing!
Clint

---

VINTAGE PHOTOS

MORE FROM COLLIDE PRESS
Ko-Fi + Linktree + Shop + Storefront + YouTube