Taking up the space we deserve
IGLYO is deeply disturbed by recent developments at Meta, parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Recent announcements about changes to community standards mean that Meta will now allow many hateful posts targeting LGBTQI+ people be posted freely on its platforms, without any consequences.
In recent years we have seen increased levels of hate targeting LGBTQI people on social media, and Meta’s decision to normalise these posts sets a dangerous new precedent. These changes notably mean that on Meta platforms will now allow “allegations of mental illness or abnormality when based on gender or sexual orientation, given political and religious discourse about transgenderism and homosexuality and common non-serious usage of words like ‘weird’” (see Meta’s Hateful Conduct Policy Details).
It will remain prohibited to target and denigrate someone based on their mental health, however it will now be fully permissible to do so if the person is LGBTQI. This obvious double standard shows a dangerous disregard for the safety and wellbeing of queer people, in particular queer youth.
At this time we will remain on Meta’s platforms. A few months ago, we left X (formerly Twitter) due to concerns for the wellbeing of our followers. However we do not feel it is the right time to do the same with Meta. We do not support Meta’s policies, however Meta and its platforms provide a necessary space for IGLYO to reach our Members and supporters.
As it seems that all major social media companies are increasingly willing to sacrifice the wellbeing of LGBTQI people, it is important that we do not cede these platforms to those who hate us too soon. As our communities come under increased attack, it is more important than ever that we take up the space we deserve.
While we remain on these platforms for now, we will continue to monitor this decision and welcome feedback from Members and supporters on the path forward for IGLYO and our communities.
