Meta revises hate speech guidelines, permits labeling LGBTQ individuals as ‘mentally ill’
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, has made changes that permit users to describe LGBTQ individuals as mentally ill based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
This decision has sparked considerable controversy and criticism from various advocacy groups.
The new guidelines state that allegations of mental illness or abnormality can be made when they are based on gender or sexual orientation. This is justified by Meta as a response to what they describe as “political and religious discourse about transgenderism and homosexuality,” along with the common non-serious usage of terms like “weird.”
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The implications of this change are profound, as it effectively allows users to label LGBTQ individuals in ways considered by some asderogatory without facing moderation from Meta’s platforms.
Context and rationale
Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg indicated that these changes were part of a shift in how the company moderates online speech.
He mentioned that recent elections have influenced this decision, suggesting a desire to align more closely with what he perceives as mainstream discourse.
This includes removing restrictions on topics such as immigration and gender identity that were previously considered sensitive.
The rationale provided by Meta for allowing these types of statements hinges on the idea that they reflect ongoing societal debates about gender and sexuality.
However, this perspective has been met with backlash from advocacy groups who argue that such allowances normalize harmful stereotypes and could lead to increased discrimination against marginalized communities.
Advocacy groups reactions
GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), a prominent LGBTQ media advocacy organization, has strongly condemned Meta’s revised guidelines.
GLAAD’s president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis, stated that these changes give a “green light” for targeting LGBTQ individuals with hate speech and violence. She emphasized that effective hate speech policies are essential for protecting free expression while also safeguarding vulnerable populations from dehumanizing narratives.
The removal of protections against insults related to appearance based on various identities—including race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity—further exacerbates concerns about the potential for increased harassment on Meta’s platforms.
Meta’s decision to allow users to label LGBTQ individuals as mentally ill represents marks a major shift in its content moderation policies.
By framing this change within the context of political discourse and societal norms, Meta risks undermining protections for marginalized groups while potentially fostering an environment where hate speech can proliferate unchecked.
