New focus for PaperDemon and Red Curtain

Both PaperDemon and the Red Curtain have a renewed focus. The homepage for both sites has been updated with new mission statements that reflect my long term vision for the site. Starting with PaperDemon:

PaperDemon.com is an art and writing community focused on self improvement and freedom of expression. We learn, share, and motivate one another to become more awesome.

My vision is for PaperDemon to not just continue as a community, but to be a place for artists to improve. I have plans to provide a unique and fun experience for learning to draw/paint, etc. My vision is for this to become a place where everyone encourages one another and helps each other achieve their creative aspirations. Expect more improvements to PaperDemon to come that are inline with this new focus.

We also have a change for the Red Curtain, our adult section. Henceforth, the Red Curtain will no longer be referred to as PaperDemon's "dirty little secret". The old mission statement suggested that there is shame or taboo in sexuality. And it really shouldn't be that way. The Red Curtain is a place to celebrate sexuality, not shame it. The new mission statement is below.

The Red Curtain is one of the oldest online adult art communities where eroticism and sexuality are celebrated through art, comics, and short stories. We foster an LGBTQ+ friendly place to explore a variety of art from vanilla sex to various forms of kink.

This change is personal for me. I've been on a journey the last few years which has completely changed my views on love and sexuality. While I wont divulge the details here, I will say that I feel the old statement on Red Curtain's homepage no longer reflected my values. Americans grow up with a lot of negativity, taboo, and shame around sex and our old mission statement reflected that shame. Sexuality is part of who we are. It's not to be shamed. On a personal level I will no allow myself to be embarrassed for owning an adult erotic art site. I will instead be proud to have started a community that pushes for sex positivity, embracing expression of non-mainstream sexuality, and embracing our humanity.

But placing these statements atop our site isn't enough. I need your help. It will take all of us together to make these mission statements into reality. It's up to all of us to help each other grow as artists and to be kind to one another. And it's up to us to continue celebrating each other and the wonderfully creative work we're all doing.