Words can Hurt.

Dear RMI, it has been brought to our attention that some authors have used the term "a gay" to describe homosexual individuals. While they did not do so to be intentionally malicious, the use of the word with that particular phrasing has very real repercussions, which can include making an author feel unhappy or unsafe within our community, causing them to feel disenfranchised, or even leave. It also reflects badly on the site.

Calling someone “a gay” can be seen as offensive.The term can be seen to dehumanize everyone who is sexuality-variant by taking away everything that makes them a person and defining them by just their sexuality.

“A gay” is also grammatically incorrect. Gay is an adjective, not a noun so it is acceptable to say that “Riley is a gay guy” because there’s a noun attached to it. It wouldn’t be appropriate to say “Riley is a gay”.

In accordance to the rules of RMI please refrain from using this term future forward. Further use of this term to describe homosexual individuals will result in the post being deleted. If it should occur a second time the post will be deleted and there will be a 24 hour ban on posting for that author. If there is a third offence the author will have a meeting with the whole Admin team and will be banned for the rest of the term. Thank you all for your consideration in this matter and for respecting the safety of the community.

- Ryan

December Writing Month Challenge!

Well everyone, today is December 1^st and NaNoWriMo has officially ended. Many of us bravely took on the challenge, and we are happy to announce that three of our authors succeeded in completing it! Congratulations to the authors of Chord McAlbin, Lyubov Kovalchuk, and the Blackburns!

Now just because November has ended doesn’t mean that it’s time to give our keyboards a break. Term is about to end, and we all know that means Orientation will be starting soon as we welcome in the newbies with gusto. This time around, we’re asking all of you to come up with a poem about the houses, much like the Sorting Hat’s song. The Admin will select one of the poems, and it will be recited at the Opening Feast. The poem should be submitted to the Admin email (theheads@rmimagic.com) by December 15^th. That gives you two weeks!

But who will recite this poem, you ask? Allow me to introduce you to a new character, never before written at RMI: Philip the Punctilious Poet of Portsmouth. He’s a portrait. Painted in the late 16^th century by an unknown artist, Philip believes Shakespeare had him bumped off for being too brilliant. Found in an old attic, he eventually got passed down to RMI’s retired headmaster, Tobias Morgan, who then brought him to the school. Now he hangs in the auditorium, and more often than not can be heard reciting poetry and critiquing the students as they practice performances. He is honored that Headmaster Munro has listened to his incessant requests to speak at the Opening Feast.