Meta, the technology giant formerly known as Facebook, has shown support for LGBTQ rights and issues in various ways over the years. However, there have also been some concerns raised about whether Meta fully lives up to its commitments to LGBTQ users.
Meta’s stated policies on LGBTQ issues
Meta has implemented various policies and initiatives aimed at supporting LGBTQ users on its platforms:
- Meta’s Community Standards prohibit attacks against people based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
- Meta allows users to select their pronoun preferences on their profiles.
- Meta works with LGBTQ advocacy organizations and regularly meets with its Network of Support, a group of global LGBTQ organizations that provide input on Meta’s products, policies, and programs.
- Meta promotes inclusion, creating features to share LGBTQ stories during Pride Month, and posting educational information.
Based on these efforts, Meta has stated that it is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for LGBTQ users.
Support for same-sex marriage and partnerships
Meta has also demonstrated support for same-sex marriage and domestic partnerships:
- In 2008, Meta allowed users to list themselves as “in a civil union” or “in a domestic partnership.”
- In 2013, Meta began allowing users to list same-sex parents on their profiles.
- When the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide in 2015, Meta celebrated by filling users’ feeds with rainbow colors.
- Meta provides same-sex couples with the same benefits as opposite-sex couples in areas like bereavement leave and health insurance.
This indicates that Meta endorses equal treatment for same-sex couples.
Actions against anti-LGBTQ content
Meta has also taken actions to limit anti-LGBTQ content and misinformation:
- Meta removes pages, groups, and accounts that promote conversion therapy programs.
- Meta works with fact checkers to debunk anti-LGBTQ misinformation and attaches warning labels to misleading posts.
- Meta banned several extremist anti-LGBTQ figures and organizations for violating its policies against dangerous individuals and organizations.
These efforts aim to curb harassment and limit the spread of harmful anti-LGBTQ content.
Partnerships and advocacy campaigns
Meta has partnered with and supported LGBTQ organizations in various campaigns over the years:
- In India, Meta partnered with local LGBTQ groups on the “More Together” campaign supporting LGBTQ rights.
- Meta worked with the It Gets Better project in various Pride Month campaigns.
- Meta supported Equality California’s “Full Equality Now” campaign for LGBTQ rights.
- Meta India partnered with LGBTQIA+ organizations for campaigns against conversion therapy.
These partnerships demonstrate Meta’s alignment with LGBTQ advocacy groups.
Support for gender affirming healthcare
Meta has voiced support for gender affirming healthcare for transgender individuals:
- In 2021, Meta stated it would no longer allow advertisers to target ads based on users’ interests in transgender healthcare topics.
- Meta contributed $50,000 to the National Center for Transgender Equality in 2021.
- Meta signed a business statement supporting the Equality Act, which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity.
This indicates Meta’s policy is to stand with the transgender community in accessing healthcare.
Concerns and controversies
However, Meta has also faced criticism at times regarding its stance on LGBTQ issues:
- Many have called on Meta to do more to stop anti-LGBTQ hate speech and harassment on its platforms.
- Some LGBTQ users argue Meta unfairly restricts their posts and accounts.
- Meta initially refused to take down false assertions that gender affirming healthcare for minors is “child abuse.”
- Some employees criticized Meta’s policy allowing politicians like Jair Bolsonaro to make anti-LGBTQ statements.
While Meta has shown support in many ways, critics urge them to better protect LGBTQ users from harm.
Meta’s score on LGBTQ workplace equality
Meta has received high scores on benchmarks for LGBTQ workplace equality:
| Year | Score | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 100 | Corporate Equality Index |
| 2020 | 100 | Corporate Equality Index |
| 2019 | 100 | Corporate Equality Index |
| 2018 | 100 | Corporate Equality Index |
The Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index benchmarks LGBTQ equality policies and practices at major companies. Meta’s perfect score indicates it has strong LGBTQ employee protections and benefits.
Philanthropic support for LGBTQ causes
Meta and its executives have made major donations to LGBTQ causes and groups:
- In 2021, Meta donated $1 million split between GLAAD, the Trevor Project, and the LGBTQ Fund.
- CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan donated $120 million to Bay Area LGBTQ healthcare organizations in 2015.
- COO Sheryl Sandberg donated over $1 million to LGBTQ organizations like GLAAD and Human Rights Campaign.
This philanthropic support demonstrates Meta’s financial commitment to advancing LGBTQ rights.
Pride Month campaigns and features
Each June, Meta runs special campaigns in honor of Pride Month:
- Users can add special Pride Month frames and stickers to photos and videos.
- Meta profiles showcase new LGBTQ-themed avatars and backgrounds.
- Employees participate in Pride parades and Meta hosts internal LGBTQ speakers and events.
- Meta produces original LGBTQ-focused video content and works with LGBTQ creators.
These efforts aim to let LGBTQ users express pride and share their stories.
Policies on hate speech and harassment
Meta’s official policies prohibit attacks targeting people based on sexual orientation or gender identity:
- Hate speech directed at LGBTQ users is banned under Meta’s Community Standards.
- Content outing LGBTQ users without consent violates Meta’s privacy and harassment policies.
- Meta removes pages, groups, and accounts dedicated to LGBTQ hate across its apps.
Enforcing these policies consistently remains an area of concern for many LGBTQ users.
Advertising policies related to LGBTQ users
Meta has advertising policies aiming to prevent discrimination and protect LGBTQ users:
- Ads cannot single out or exclude groups based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
- Meta bans ads promoting conversion therapy or suggesting LGBTQ identities are invalid.
- Advertisers cannot use profile data to target LGBTQ users in discriminatory ways.
However, some argue these policies still allow for microtargeting that could enable anti-LGBTQ ads.
Content moderation controversies
Meta has faced criticism for its content moderation decisions on LGBTQ issues:
- Banning certain LGBTQ hashtags and images, like those related to breast cancer awareness.
- Deleting accounts of LGBTQ users unfairly flagged as fake or duplicate.
- Allowing anti-LGBTQ ads from politicians under its “newsworthiness” exemption.
These instances raise concerns that Meta’s policies are not applied equitably to protect LGBTQ users.
How Meta defines harassment and hate speech
Meta provides the following definitions around harassment and hate speech directed at LGBTQ users:
- Harassment includes: Threats of harm, privacy violations, stalking, unwanted sexual advances, malicious impersonation.
- Hate speech includes: Violent or dehumanizing statements, harmful stereotypes, statements of inferiority, calls for exclusion or segregation.
Interpreting these definitions consistently remains an ongoing challenge acknowledged by Meta.
Partnerships with LGBTQ advocacy groups
Meta consults and collaborates with various LGBTQ organizations:
- GLAAD – Provides input on policies, safety, product features.
- The Trevor Project – Partners on crisis support tools and anti-bullying campaigns.
- ILGA World – Global organization advising on LGBTQ safety and content issues.
- CenterLink – Advises on needs of LGBTQ community centers.
However, some argue Meta gives too much influence to groups condoning more censorship.
Employee resource groups for LGBTQ staff
Meta has created employee resource groups to support its LGBTQ workforce:
- PRIDE@ – Main LGBTQ employee community group with global chapters.
- Rainbows – Supports Meta families with LGBTQ members.
- Queers – Focuses on intersectional queer and trans issues.
- ProudIndians – For LGBTQ staff in India.
These groups provide internal community, mentorship, and input on Meta’s LGBTQ policies.
Oversight of LGBTQ content decisions
Meta states that multiple teams oversee decisions on LGBTQ-related content issues:
- Content policy team drafts LGBTQ content rules.
- Operations teams enforce LGBTQ policies consistently.
- Product teams implement features to support LGBTQ users.
- Civil rights team addresses LGBTQ rights considerations.
- External consultants audit enforcement of LGBTQ policies.
However, Meta lacks transparency publicly into how these teams operate and make decisions impacting LGBTQ users.
Advertising targeting options related to LGBTQ users
Meta offers advertisers several interest targeting options related to LGBTQ users:
| Interest Category | Sample Targeted Interests |
|---|---|
| LGBT culture | Same-sex marriage, Gay pride |
| LGBT community | Transgender, Non-binary gender |
| LGBT support | Human Rights Campaign, LGBT youth |
Critics argue these options still allow singled out targeting and discrimination against LGBTQ users.
Conclusion
In summary, Meta has implemented many policies and features aimed at protecting and supporting LGBTQ users. It has shown willingness to listen to LGBTQ groups and advocate for LGBTQ rights. However, Meta still faces ongoing criticism from LGBTQ users who feel harmed by hate speech, bullying, and unfair treatment on Meta’s platforms. Content moderation inconsistencies, advertising targeting capabilities, and transparency into decision-making remain areas of concern. While Meta has shown leadership in some LGBTQ areas, critics urge the company to take bolder steps to fully live up to its responsibilities to LGBTQ users worldwide.