If you wanted to have a very gay website, well you're in luck. Beginning this month, you can put it right in the URL.
Beginning this week, the public will be able to pre-order a .gay domain extension. So instead of trying to grab a .com, .org, or .net, you can live out loud and proud on your very own corner of the internet, square on Gay street. How about that?
A release says this has been a"near decade-long application process," and represents "a historic step forward that signals support of LGBTQ people, causes, and businesses."
"We believe that .gay is something special - our mission is to provide a distinctive digital space devoted to connecting and celebrating LGBTQ communities," Ray King, CEO of Top Level Design, said in a release. "We're already seeing great uptake, from Fortune 100 to LGBTQ-specific brands and public figures, secure domain names during our Sunrise period and look forward to continuing to build momentum with upcoming launch phases."
In tandem with the launch, the company is committing a portion of sales revenue to GLAAD and CenterLink. While GLAAD is a media watchdog that works to eliminate discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation, CenterLink is a global community of LGBT centers that help in educating the public, engage community leaders, and organize for social change. 20% of all new registration revenue will go towards these organizations in an industry first. Some domain registrars like Namecheap are adding a little extra -- Namecheap has committed to an additional 3% of their revenue for each registration, with a total commitment of up to $10,000. These beneficiaries are expected to change after the first year but earlier this year in a phase of the launch restricted to registered trademark holders, Top Level Design was able to donate $34,400.
All registrars selling .gay sites are expected to "respond to reported instances of hate or harassment on .gay sites."
.gay will officially launch to the world on September 16. It will launch alongside a new webseries titled The Library available on a .gay domain.
Logan Lynn, a musician, director and all around creative was instrumental in the launch. In a blog post he wrote that this year's launch was set to commemorate the first Pride parade, which occured 50 years ago.
"With the same spirit as the original disruptive and passionate voices who marched 50 years ago. .gay is open to all - it's a virtual Pride flag that honors decades of history and progress, while inspiring an inclusive, welcoming future for everyone," he wrote.
"We know that we will not be able to single-handedly turn the internet into a hate-free zone, but .gay is committed to doing our part, and we absolutely reject the status quo -- which is to do nothing without a court order," he continued. "While we are optimistic that our revenue donations, proud branding and sheer existence of .gay will keep hate away, we are prepared for when the haters arrive."
Grindr, George Takei, Billy Jean King, and more already have domains registered.
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