I honestly don't like the premise of this thread. First and foremost, there are rules for the entire site, and the rules for the site apply to chat, though not at the same level as the forums. Is there a clique in chat? Of course there is, but it is an ever growing group. There have been some who have not be accepted. Having said that, some have offended chat regulars, and others are quick to attack the offender from all sides. It's a natural response to a certain degree, but it has caused problems. I think we forget that chat was closed for over a year for a multitude of reasons. In the last few months, it seems that there has been a great deal of disharmony in chat, and we really need to find a way to resolve this problem, whether it be for stricter enforcement of rules in chat, people learning to behave more maturely, or chat being taken out all together. I would hate to see the latter happen, and I'm sure that most wouldn't like it either, but there comes a point when the administration has to make unpopular decisions.
We don't have to go out of our ways to fight. If you want chat where you get into fights freely, as far as I know there are still "fight rooms" on Yahoo! Chat. Feel free to go there if that's what you want. GA is supposed to be a community of people with a common interest, one focused on sharing gay-oriented stories. GA Chat should be a place, both new and old, to come together to have fun. It should be a place of respect. Perfection is not to be expected, but we can do a better job than we have been doing. It's actually not difficult to solve any problems that do arise ourselves. We can ignore anyone who has been problematic, but fighting isn't the answer. Yeah, I'll admit that I've had a few skirmishes in chat, but I was used to that more in-your-face style from back in my own days on Yahoo! Chat, and I'm more adjusted now and more in control of my emotions. If I can be better in that regard, surely everyone else can as well.