On Tuesday 7 January, Meta updated its policy on Hateful Content, which previously prohibited specific hateful statements about protected groups.

The changes made by Meta will permit users to target LGBT+ people, women, immigrants and other marginalised groups on Instagram and Facebook.

It is dangerous for Meta to normalise and essentially endorse anti-LGBT+ speech, allowing for LGBT+ people to be called “mentally ill” or an “abnormality” based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, and to deny LGBT+ people’s existence.

With this move, platforms that were previously places of freedom and connection for LGBT+ people will become unsafe environments for our community, where hate speech, misinformation and harassment will be rife.

LGBT+ people deserve to live freely as our authentic selves, both online and offline. Contrary to Meta’s stance, we believe hate speech policies and fact-checking are important safeguarding tools, giving people freedom from abuse, and stopping the spread of misinformation.

The Online Safety Act, which came into law last year, requires services like Facebook and Instagram to proactively offer users optional tools to help them reduce the likelihood that they will encounter certain types of legal content, including “abusive or hate content including where such content is racist, antisemitic, homophobic, or misogynist”. The Act states that “the tools must be effective and easy to access.”

We’re calling on Ofcom to prioritise implementing the Online Safety Act’s content controls, and to take action against Meta’s removal of these tools as soon as possible.

Hate speech that targets a person’s core identity has a profound and enduring effect, and we understand that this news is likely to impact our community’s sense of safety and cause fear. If you’re struggling with this news, we’re here for you.

You can call the National LGBT+ Abuse and Violence Helpline on 0800 999 5428, email help@galop.org.uk or chat to us via webchat at galop.org.uk. We’re run by LGBT+ people, for LGBT+ people, so you’ll be speaking to someone who understands.