Meta’s recent policy change, which allows users to make statements calling LGBTQ+ people “mentally ill” based on their sexual orientation and gender identity, has sparked a wave of backlash from the company’s LGBTQ+ employees. Several workers have reportedly taken time off to care for their mental health, expressing frustration over the decision, which they say fosters a toxic environment for marginalized communities.
On Tuesday, January 7, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced significant changes to the company’s content moderation policies, including the removal of independent fact-checkers. These changes allow users to express opinions, including harmful and discriminatory views, without the same level of moderation that was previously in place. Under the new guidelines, it’s now acceptable for users to label LGBTQ+ people as “mentally ill” or make similar claims, particularly in the context of political and religious discussions about issues like transgender rights and homosexuality.
The new policy shift, according to a statement from Meta’s updated hate speech guidelines, allows such terms to be used in what they call “common non-serious” ways. Specifically, it permits allegations of mental illness or abnormality tied to discussions about gender and sexual orientation, as long as these comments are framed within broader political or religious discourse. The updated guidelines state that terms like “weird” or “mentally ill” can be used to describe LGBTQ+ individuals due to the “political and religious discourse about transgenderism and homosexuality.”
The backlash among Meta’s LGBTQ+ employees has been swift. According to reporting from 404 Media, many employees are taking time off from work in protest of the changes, citing the emotional and psychological toll the new policy has on their mental health. One employee posted on Meta’s internal platform, Workplace, expressing their distress: “I am LGBT and mentally ill. Just to let you know that I’ll be taking time out to look after my mental health.”
The controversy has also drawn criticism from high-ranking Meta figures. Helle Thorning-Schmidt, co-chair of Meta’s Oversight Board, publicly voiced concerns about the policy change, particularly its potential impact on vulnerable groups like LGBTQ+ and transgender people. In an interview with BBC’s Today program, Thorning-Schmidt said she and others on the board were “very concerned” about the policy’s implications, especially in light of its timing ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s anticipated return to the White House.
“We’re very concerned about gender rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and trans people’s rights on the platforms because we are seeing many instances where hate speech can lead to real-life harm,” Thorning-Schmidt said. “We will be watching that space very carefully.”
Meta’s decision to drop independent fact-checkers and content moderation has raised alarms among critics, who argue that it opens the door for more harmful content and less accountability for those who spread hate speech. LGBTQ+ advocates, including current and former Meta employees, have voiced worries that the policy change could lead to a more hostile online environment, particularly for vulnerable groups already at risk of discrimination and violence.
Mark Zuckerberg, however, defended the new policies, stating that they were designed to “get back to our roots” and prioritize free expression on the platform. In a statement, he explained that the changes were part of a broader effort to reduce mistakes, simplify policies, and restore what he described as “the freedom of expression that the platforms were originally intended to uphold.”
Critics have pointed out that the timing of the policy revision is concerning, particularly as it comes just weeks before Trump’s second term in office. With the political landscape shifting, many fear that the policy change is part of a broader trend to accommodate far-right rhetoric and divisive political views.
The decision has sparked intense debate across social media platforms, with many calling on Meta to reconsider its new policy. LGBTQ+ advocates argue that the company is failing to prioritize the safety and well-being of its most vulnerable users. In contrast, supporters of the change argue that it is necessary to allow for more open discourse, even if that means tolerating controversial or offensive opinions.
As the situation continues to unfold, Meta employees, LGBTQ+ activists, and policymakers are closely watching how the company will respond to the growing backlash. For now, many employees within the company are left grappling with the impact of the policy change, both personally and professionally, and questioning whether the company can balance free expression with the need to protect its users from harm.
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