A new online community platform is set to launch in Vermont as the Vermont Stands Up organization prepares to debut what it calls “Vermont’s Back Porch.”
The group says the forthcoming site is designed as an alternative to Front Porch Forum (FPF), offering members a place to connect, share information, and communicate without what it describes as censorship or harassment.
FPF, a Vermont for-profit community news sharing platform, had been known to censor statements, links and organizations due to messages that don’t meet its community standards. For example, in recent years VDC news stories may not be shared on FPF.
According to an announcement shared with supporters, the platform will serve as a digital gathering space “with room for members to connect with each other, build networks and help us meet our mission.” VSU said the service will prioritize open conversation among “real, human neighbors.”
The group expects to transition to the new platform over the next week and plans to issue updates every few days.
VSU advocates for several controversial health-related policies, including opposition to mandatory masking, mandatory vaccination, and 5G cell phone tower projects.