GLAAD Criticizes Social Media Platforms for Inadequate LGBTQ Safety Measures

When it comes to ensuring the safety of LGBTQ individuals, social media companies are failing.

GLAAD, the largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, has released its fourth annual Social Media Safety Index, giving failing grades to five out of the six major social media platforms.

YouTube, X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Threads all received an F for their efforts in LGBTQ safety, privacy, and expression. This marked the third consecutive year that these platforms received a failing grade, with TikTok earning a D+.

The report calls on companies to prioritize LGBTQ safety and address issues such as anti-trans hate, harassment, and disinformation on their platforms. All companies were found to lack basic standards in areas including data privacy, moderation transparency, training of content moderators, and workforce diversity.

GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis stated, “Leaders of social media companies are failing in their responsibility to create safe products. The industry is severely lacking in enforcing policies against anti-LGBTQ hate and disinformation, which directly contributes to online harms and real-world violence against LGBTQ individuals. Urgent action is needed to address these issues.”

The SMSI Platform Scorecard evaluates the six major platforms based on 12 LGBTQ-specific indicators.

The report highlights inadequate content moderation, harmful algorithms, and a lack of transparency on social media platforms.

It also notes that anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and disinformation online can lead to real-world harm, and platforms are not effectively mitigating the spread of dangerous anti-LGBTQ content.

GLAAD recommends that social media platforms strengthen and enforce existing policies to protect LGBTQ individuals, improve moderation, increase transparency, respect data privacy, and promote civil discourse.