LGBTQ centers across the country are deactivating their Twitter accounts
Dozens of regional LGBTQ community centers are deactivating their Twitter accounts today, decrying recent policy changes despite the rise of hate speech and calling on the app to do more to protect its users.
The announcement came from CenterLink, an international nonprofit network of more than 325 LGBTQ organizations, many of which will also be leaving the platform.
SEE ALSO:Florida students 'Walkout 2 Learn': How to join their education revolution"Twitter has become increasingly unsafe in recent months for LGBTQ and BIPOC people with anti-LGBTQ, anti-trans, anti-Black, and antisemitic tweets on the rise. The removal of this policy was the last straw," Denise Spivak, CEO of CenterLink, told Mashable.
Earlier this month, Twitter, led by CEO Elon Musk, quietly removed a portion of its hateful conduct policythat specified protections against misgendering and deadnaming transgender users, adding to an already hostile, hate-speech filledenvironment.
In response to the conduct changes, CenterLink and its members have decided to forgo the app entirely, formally deactivating their Twitter accounts today. Some participants have already left the app, announced they will no longer be active, or pinned statements opposing the app's changes.
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
"Purposeful communication requires an honest and transparent dialogue in spaces that respect our lived experiences and honor everyone's safety," wrote CenterLink in its deactivation announcement. "With more than 430 pieces of legislation targeting healthcare, education, public places and services, and drag performers or entertainment, 2023 is on pace to be a record-setting year for state legislation targeting LGBTQ adults and youth. Now is a time to lift up the voices of those who are most vulnerable and most marginalized, and to take a stand against those whose actions are quite the opposite."
The participating centers include:
SF Center
Orlando Center
Las Vegas Center
Hudson Valley Center
Durham Center
CenterLink
Coastal Bend Pride Center
Indiana Youth Group
LGBT Life Center
Youth Outlook
Casa BruMar Foundation
LGBT Community Network
The Center Las Vegas
Our Family
Guilford Green Foundation & LGBTQ Center
Hudson Valley LGBTQ+ Community Center
CAMP Rehoboth
Queer Space Collective
Hudson Pride Center
The Frederick Center
The Pomona Pride Center
Diversity Center of Oklahoma
Compass Community Center
LGBTQ Center of Durham
Pacific Pride Foundation
The Center Orlando
Stonewall Alliance of Chico
Pacific Center
NoVA Prism Center
Twitter's quick evolution over the last year has resulted in a loss of trust from users. "Immediately reinstating the policy aimed at protecting transgender people from targeted misgendering and deadnaming would be a good place to start," Spivak said when asked what the platform could do better. "Beyond that, Twitter frankly doesn’t do a great job combating hate speech and should do more to ensure that the platform is safe for all its users. None of the major social media platforms seem to have found the exact formula to create and ensure a safe environment, but CenterLink still has active Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube accounts."
Twitter has seen an exodus of users, verified accounts, and advertisers since Musk's purchase. While many see the app's changes as the end to a fun social ecosystem, others are more worried about the implications Musk's policies have on users with disabilities, LGBTQ users and users of color, the spread of accurate information, and the ability for organizations doing important work to stay connected to communities online.
Related Stories
- Twitter removes hateful conduct protections for transgender users
- Twitter will limit reach of ‘hateful’ tweets with a label, not removal
- How to use Twitter without falling into a black hole of anxiety
- Daniel Radcliffe teams up with The Trevor Project to amplify LGBTQ youth voices
- Social media giants aren't protecting LGBTQ users enough, GLAAD says
"LGBTQ centers across the country are vital resources for our communities and provide a wide range of critical, life-saving services both online and in-person. These centers collectively serve nearly 2.7 million people annually and engage in advocacy, public policy, and civic engagement," Spivak said, noting LGBTQ community resources like these need national support, in the form of donations, volunteers, and political action, to keep their work going.
"When it comes to staying safe online, people can disengage from platforms that allow hate and anti-LGBTQ rhetoric — which now most certainly includes Twitter."
To find LGBTQ community centers in your area, and to learn how to continue following them online, visit CenterLink's online directory.
Want more Social Goodstories in your inbox? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletterstoday.
TopicsLGBTQSocial GoodTwitter
-
Campbell highlights Washington Declaration amid security concerns over Putin‘Players have been united,’ insists Spain coach‘I’m here, I’m the champion’: RichardsonSketchy dummy model could be Apple's final design for the iPhone 8Bernie Sanders’ DNC speech sounded like everyone else’s. That’s astonishing.Gauff ready to continue Serena’s legacyEasy air fryer cheeseburger recipe gets delicious results with minimal workPatreon irks users with new loan program Patreon CaptialThe local version of Project 2025 is already causing devastation.Technoblade, 'Minecraft' YouTube creator, dies aged 23, family and fans pay tribute
下一篇:[Exclusive] Samsung unsure of Suga's future as brand ambassador: source
- ·Best Home Depot Labor Day sale deals
- ·Man dies after inhaling laughing gas
- ·Drake just broke the record for the most Billboard Music Award wins in a single night
- ·AI is absolutely horrible at naming paint colors
- ·Foreign, multicultural students rise amid declining school population
- ·Moon, Danish PM hold phone talks over NK nukes, bilateral ties
- ·Sherpas show how the human body can thrive in extreme environments
- ·Make this TikTok
- ·Apple Watch 10 rumors: Everything we know so far
- ·This epic boxing KO will give you a concussion just from watching
- ·This epic boxing KO will give you a concussion just from watching
- ·Spalletti tasked with reviving Italy
- ·The Future of Tech: The Desktop PC
- ·Donald Trump melts down on Truth Social over Cassidy Hutchinson's Jan. 6 testimony
- ·Watch millions of people use Google's Quick, Draw in GIFs
- ·Moon, Danish PM hold phone talks over NK nukes, bilateral ties
- ·When Are Next
- ·Woman's $15 'costume jewelry' ring turns out to be worth $450,000
- ·为荣誉而战 夺最高荣誉
- ·U.S. politicians can now pay for sponsored content on Facebook
- ·海丰芥蓝入选全国名特优新农产品名录
- ·Moon withdraws nomination of senior aide
- ·Watch millions of people use Google's Quick, Draw in GIFs
- ·Spain crowned WWC champions
- ·We Asked GPT Some Tech Questions, Can You Tell Which Answers Are Human?
- ·Drake just broke the record for the most Billboard Music Award wins in a single night
- ·Google Search tries new tactics for limiting explicit deepfakes
- ·雨城区坚决打赢文明城市创建第一仗
- ·天然气优惠入户登记 西城片区率先完成
- ·谁更出彩?!新会陈皮系列产品包装创新设计评选启动
- ·Number Representations in Computer Hardware
- ·Patreon irks users with new loan program Patreon Captial
- ·雅安日报传媒集团团员辩论赛昨日落下帷幕
- ·谁更出彩?!新会陈皮系列产品包装创新设计评选启动
- ·24 Museums Dedicated to Black History
- ·Patreon irks users with new loan program Patreon Captial