I can understand why all the other things would be listed here, and I would understand if sexuality in general was considered inappropriate for children, but why homosexuality in particular? This is strange to me.

<content_rating type="oars-1.1">
  <content_attribute id="violence-cartoon">none</content_attribute>
  <content_attribute id="violence-fantasy">none</content_attribute>
  <content_attribute id="violence-realistic">none</content_attribute>
  <content_attribute id="violence-bloodshed">none</content_attribute>
  <content_attribute id="violence-sexual">none</content_attribute>
  <content_attribute id="violence-desecration">none</content_attribute>
  <content_attribute id="violence-slavery">none</content_attribute>
  <content_attribute id="violence-worship">none</content_attribute>
  <content_attribute id="drugs-alcohol">none</content_attribute>
  <content_attribute id="drugs-narcotics">none</content_attribute>
  <content_attribute id="drugs-tobacco">none</content_attribute>
  <content_attribute id="sex-nudity">none</content_attribute>
  <content_attribute id="sex-themes">none</content_attribute>

  <!-- this line here -->
  <content_attribute id="sex-homosexuality">none</content_attribute>

  <content_attribute id="sex-prostitution">none</content_attribute>
  <content_attribute id="sex-adultery">none</content_attribute>
  <content_attribute id="sex-appearance">none</content_attribute>
  <content_attribute id="language-profanity">none</content_attribute>
  <content_attribute id="language-humor">none</content_attribute>
  <content_attribute id="language-discrimination">none</content_attribute>
  <content_attribute id="social-chat">none</content_attribute>
  <content_attribute id="social-info">none</content_attribute>
  <content_attribute id="social-audio">none</content_attribute>
  <content_attribute id="social-location">none</content_attribute>
  <content_attribute id="social-contacts">none</content_attribute>
  <content_attribute id="money-purchasing">none</content_attribute>
  <content_attribute id="money-gambling">none</content_attribute>
</content_rating>

EDIT: as one commenter pointed out, an explanation can be found in a commit on the git repo and the tag has been removed.

Rationale
---

Certain attributes in the specification require some explanation as to why they
are present. This list is not exhaustive and may be added to in future.

 * `sex-homosexuality`: As of 2020,
   [various countries](https://www.humandignitytrust.org/lgbt-the-law/map-of-criminalisation/)
   have laws which criminalise lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT)
   people. In order for software and content to be distributed in those
   countries without breaking the law, and possible reprisal, it is necessary to
   be able to tag software and content which contains LGBT references, so that
   it can be hidden in those countries.
   However, in other countries (for example, the EU), discrimination laws
   explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender or sexuality. So
   while LGBT tagging may be available in OARS data, consumers of that data must
   only apply it in countries where the law requires that.

It is still strange to me that anyone would add this tag to an age ratings service, if it is a legal issue and not related to age appropriacy. Anyway, thanks for all the answers (except for those who failed to stay civil and/or brought up american politics for no reason).

  • AnAnonymous@lemm.ee
    1330·
    2 months ago

    Cos there are people who are not interested in homosexual stuff cos they are not homosexual?

    • Hanrahan@slrpnk.netEnglish
      151·
      2 months ago

      Tha makes no sense unliss there was also a hetero tag for homosexuals to use.

    • pingveno@lemmy.ml
      164·
      2 months ago

      Nah, let’s be honest, this is so that parents can make sure precious little Bobby doesn’t catch The Gay. LGBT themed cinema is going to let you know, this is for making sure there isn’t a trace of homosexuality to darken Bobby’s pure little heart.

        • Deckweiss@lemmy.world
          21·
          2 months ago

          Homosexuality is documented in about 10% of species across the animal kingdom. The percentage of homosexuality in a given animal species varies a lot from 0% to above 30% of the population and factors like overpopulation increase it.

          It’s as natural as it can get.

        • CapillaryUpgrade@lemmy.sdf.org
          18·
          2 months ago

          That argument is obviously wrong.
          Homosexuality (and other sexualities) exist in nature. This is not uncommon knowledge.

          Also, the whole “they don’t make babies so they’re unnatural” thing. How long have you thought this argument through?
          Humans and animals are born sterile, they grow too old and become infertile. All of that happens in nature.

          That fantasy world of yours is verifiably not how nature works, and it wouldn’t take you more than 5 minutes to disprove the bullsh*t.
          It makes it hard to believe you are arguing in good faith.

    • llamajester421@kbin.social
      132·
      2 months ago

      This is outright false. If there aren’t graphical or explicit illustrations that are deemed pornographic, then homosexuality and heterosexuality should enjoy the same status as encyclopedic knowledge. This is some “Don’t say gay” stuff.