Social Media Platforms Failing to Protect LGBTQ Users According to New Safety Index

Some of the biggest social media sites on the internet are becoming more toxic for LGBTQ+ users, according to the new LGBTQ Social Media Safety Index produced by GLAAD.

Researchers from the nonprofit media advocacy organization evaluated the companies’ policies related to LGBTQ safety, privacy and expression.

Jenni Olson, senior director of GLAAD’s social media safety program, said scores on Meta, X, and YouTube hit new lows.

"The platforms are largely failing to mitigate harmful anti-LGBTQ hate and disinformation," she said.

Representatives from X, Meta, and YouTube did not respond to a request for comment.

The report also found that many platforms disproportionately suppress legitimate queer content via shadow banning, demonetization and unwarranted content removal. The survey also evaluated Threads, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. The latter had the highest score, the same as last year, at just 56 out of 100 possible points. X ranked lowest at 29.

Last year, YouTube removed gender identity from the list of protected characteristics in its hate speech policy. Olson said that change says a lot about the company’s values, especially in an era of anti-trans policies at the highest levels of government.

"Fundamentally, this signals to anyone on the platform that it's OK to express hate against trans people," she said. "LGBT people deserve to be safe on social media, just like everyone."

The report recognizes that each of the platforms has policies prohibiting hate and harassment on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and other protected characteristics.