Substack has continued to hang out their “Nazis welcome” sign. (If you haven’t followed the story, the Verge will get you up to speed) Like a lot of people, I got mad about it and ended all my paid subscriptions.

Yes, they take a teeny cut, barely anything. But I wouldn’t pay to get into a club where the door guy had a Nazi flag on his shirt. I wouldn’t rent an event space if they had a big “Nazis welcome!” sign outside.

Substack’s initial response when shit hit the fan was “but free speeeeech.” Their response since has been pretty fucking tepid. They’ve already made it clear they’re willing to censor speech on their site. They are just happy to censor trans people and sex workers, and refusing to censor Nazis and other far-right assholes.

There are writers saying, “but you’re not just giving money to Substack, you’re giving money to me!” And I want to support writers! Give me a way to give you money that doesn’t involve also sending money to a pro-Nazi organization and I’m there.

Here’s a bit about why I don’t think we have to tolerate Nazis and their ilk.

A few other options for a newsletter as of 1/2025:

• Beehiiv
• Buttondown
• Buy Me A Coffee
• Ghost

Further reading:

• Substack Has a Nazi Opportunity (Ken White of Popehat)
• substack f***’d up and now we have to talk about it (Jeanna Kadlec of Astrology for Writers, includes musing on ethical consumption in general)
• Boo, Covid. Also, Nazis. (Sari Botton, keep reading through the covid and holiday musings, they’re worth it and what she has to say about the situation is eloquent as hell.)
• You Can’t Fight for Democracy from a Nazi Bar
• Substack is at it again
• Here’s why Substack’s Scam Worked So Well