Mark Zuckerberg’s Pride Purge: Meta Removes LGBTQ+ Themes from Messenger Amid Hate Speech Rule Controversy
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In a move that has sparked widespread controversy, Meta, the tech giant led by billionaire Mark Zuckerberg, has removed LGBTQ+ themes, including transgender and non-binary options, from its Facebook Messenger platform. These themes, which had been introduced as part of Meta’s Pride Month celebrations in 2021 and 2022, featured color schemes that reflected the pride flags of the respective gender identities.
The removal of these Pride and LGBTQ+ themed options comes on the heels of Meta’s decision to alter its hate speech policies. The new rules will allow users to refer to queer people as “mentally ill,” a move that has drawn sharp criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates and employees alike. The decision has caused significant internal unrest, with reports of employees taking sick leave due to the emotional toll, with some saying they are “LGBTQ+ and mentally ill.”
The controversy has intensified after the company made headlines for another highly contentious decision: the removal of independent fact-checkers from its platforms, including Instagram, Threads, and Facebook. These fact-checkers were replaced by a more controversial community-driven approach dubbed “community notes,” a system already in use on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). This move has raised concerns about the spread of misinformation and the safety of marginalized communities on the platform.
Meta’s decision to remove the Pride themes from Messenger follows what has been described as a shift in the company’s stance on inclusivity. While the company previously positioned itself as a space for LGBTQ+ users to feel safe and celebrated, the new policies appear to undermine that commitment. A Meta spokesperson, when announcing the non-binary theme in 2022, stated that Messenger was “committed to building the safest private messaging experience,” aiming to provide LGBTQ+ individuals and allies with “a trusted space to open up with confidence.”
However, in light of these recent changes, employees have expressed their dismay. Internal conversations leaked by 404 Media reveal that some employees are struggling to reconcile the company’s actions with its supposed core values. In an internal thread on Meta’s workplace platform, some employees demanded an explanation from the board of directors on why these changes were made, especially given that they contradict widely accepted scientific consensus.
A member of Meta’s policy team responded, clarifying that the company’s “core values have not changed.” The response emphasized that the changes to the hate speech policy were designed to address “mission creep,” referring to the idea that the platform’s rules had become overly restrictive and prone to excessive enforcement. The company maintains that these updates aim to reaffirm the value of free expression, which might mean allowing content that some users may find offensive.
As Meta navigates this growing backlash, its decision to strip away LGBTQ+ themes and alter its hate speech policy has left many questioning its commitment to inclusivity and safety. Critics argue that by embracing policies that allow harmful language targeting marginalized communities, Meta is betraying its previous efforts to create a welcoming environment for all users.
While Meta has yet to respond to a request for comment from PinkNews, the situation continues to evolve, and pressure is mounting on the company to address the concerns of both employees and users. With the removal of LGBTQ+ themes and the controversial changes to hate speech rules, it remains to be seen how Meta will navigate the increasing scrutiny surrounding its approach to inclusivity and free expression.