Talk:Traci Lords

Refers to incorrect school

This article mentions Lords' mother attended Ohio University, which is incorrect. Ohio University is about 170 miles southwest of Steubenville. Lords' mother attended the local school, the College of Steubenville (now the Franciscan University of Steubenville). The error appears to stem from Lords' autobiography itself; Lords likely misidentified the school. GenealogyFan70 (talk) 16:38, 8 August 2025 (UTC)

A Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion

The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion:

• Lords 12.png

Participate in the deletion discussion at the nomination page. —Community Tech bot (talk) 03:21, 21 August 2025 (UTC)

Traci Lords' Chapter in Wednesday's Children

I'm not sure why my edit to include Lords' chapter was immediately removed? It's cited and topical.

Lords authored a chapter for Suzanne Somer’s 1992 book, Wednesday’s Children – Adult Survivors of Abuse Speak Out. In it, “[c]elebrity survivors of childhood abuse reveal their traumatic family experiences and how they found the courage to heal in testimonies whose honesty will help readers acknowledge their own problems and take the first steps toward recovery.” In her chapter, Lords did not claim to have suffered physical abuse and/or sexual assault by anyone. She described verbal and emotional abuse by her father. She wrote, “From the time I was ten, I was told I was a slut. After you’ve heard it so many times, you start thinking, ‘Well, I’m being accused of these things; how come I don’t just go and do it? What’s the difference?’” Lords attributed her involvement in pornography to this abuse and her father’s “head trip” about sex: “To me, sex was always my punishment, so it was only natural that I punish myself with it. I think that the whole reason I stumbled upon X-rated films and that entire way of life was a direct result of my childhood.” GenealogyFan70 (talk) 18:44, 19 April 2026 (UTC)

First of all, it had an external link which didn't add anything to the article. Secondly, it has Wikipedia:Too much detail and I believe it can be shortened Realtent (talk) 18:46, 19 April 2026 (UTC)

The external link was to cite the source. The URL can be removed but I assumed it was helpful for anyone who wanted to check the source. Also, how much detail would be appropriate? The page is about a entire person and her career, which included her chapter in this self help book. GenealogyFan70 (talk) 18:53, 19 April 2026 (UTC)

I would summarize the description of the book and her quotation:

Lords authored a chapter for Suzanne Somer’s 1992 book Wednesday’s Children, which focuses on celebrity childhood abuse. In her chapter, Lords described verbal and emotional abuse by her father and attributed her involvement in pornography to this abuse and her father’s actions. [citation here]

If that's to your liking, I can add it back in with the citation. Realtent (talk) 19:00, 19 April 2026 (UTC)

I'm not sure what you mean by "her father's actions". That's why I quoted Lords herself: so that readers don't read into my summary (or yours). Let Lords speak for herself. GenealogyFan70 (talk) 19:02, 19 April 2026 (UTC)

How about this then?:

Lords authored a chapter for Suzanne Somer’s 1992 book Wednesday’s Children, which focuses on celebrity childhood abuse. In her chapter, Lords described verbal and emotional abuse by her father and attributed her involvement in pornography to this abuse and her father’s “head trip” about sex. [citation here]

Same wording as previous. Realtent (talk) 19:04, 19 April 2026 (UTC)

Better, but I'm not sure why it has to be whittled down this much. The Traci Lords story is as much (if not more) about her overcoming her past. Why do you get to decide that her quote is too much detail? GenealogyFan70 (talk) 19:08, 19 April 2026 (UTC)

I believe that it's Wikipedia:Too much detail, but you can seek out others opinions with Wikipedia:SEEKINPUT, which includes places like the Wikipedia:Teahouse. Realtent (talk) 19:13, 19 April 2026 (UTC)

Why don't you seek out other opinions in the interim and let me publish my edit as is? GenealogyFan70 (talk) 19:16, 19 April 2026 (UTC)

I read the "Too much detail" page and I don't think my edit is in violation of Excessive detail, Irrelevant content that is better placed in a different article, or Trivial content. GenealogyFan70 (talk) 19:33, 19 April 2026 (UTC)

I think it is entirely acceptable to let Lords speak for herself with these quotes. GenealogyFan70 (talk) 19:34, 19 April 2026 (UTC)

I have asked at Wikipedia:Third opinion for another user to look at this Realtent (talk) 19:40, 19 April 2026 (UTC)

Thanks. GenealogyFan70 (talk) 19:47, 19 April 2026 (UTC)

I'm curious why you haven't flagged any of the other quotes on this page as "Too much detail." For example, in the section "2007 - 2009: Motherhood and Zack and Miri Make a Porno," there is a multi-sentence quote about Lords' pregnancy-engorged breasts and husband-approved curves. "I just want you to know, these 36-Ds are mine. I haven't had a boob job, she laughed! I am 5 1/2 months pregnant! But now I am starting to show. And my husband is happy with the changes in my figure." Why is my quote about Lords' abuse considered TMI but this quote about breasts isn't? GenealogyFan70 (talk) 22:49, 19 April 2026 (UTC)

It seems like both would be, but I haven't looked at the article properly and will once I have time. Realtent (talk) 22:51, 19 April 2026 (UTC)

Howdy doody y'all,

Friendly neighbourhood Third Opinion editor dropping in after seeing the request. I agree with @Realtent that the article doesn't need the quote to be improved and I quite like the second suggestion that they put forward. As for this question Why don't you seek out other opinions in the interim and let me publish my edit as is? @GenealogyFan70. The answer is WP:ONUS. And especially since this is a BLP (biography of a living person) people take the rules more seriously. Overall I am quite happy with your WP:BOLD re-write of the article, but I think it might be useful to put at the beginning of the career section that she was underage, I had to scroll up and do math before I got to the end where it was plainly stated. Moritoriko (talk) 07:24, 20 April 2026 (UTC)

Thanks. GenealogyFan70 (talk) 19:56, 22 April 2026 (UTC)