Instagram has pledged to ban any content that promotes LGBT+ “conversion therapy.”
Earlier this year, the social media giant banned ads promoting so-called LGBT+ “cures”. But starting today (July 10), it will also ban content that advocates “therapies.”
Tara Hopkins, Instagram’s public policy director, told the BBC:
“We do not allow attacks on people because of their sexual orientation or gender identity and are updating our policies to prohibit the promotion of conversion therapy services.
“We are always reviewing our policies and will continue to consult with experts and people with personal experiences to inform our approach.
However, the company warns that it will take time to update all of its policies to reflect this blanket ban. It may take some time to remove content reported by users. But that should change over time.
Of course, policies don’t always work in practice either. Facebook owns Instagram and also bans violent LGBT+ hatred.
But as GSN discovered again last week, Facebook still allows some content advocating the killing of LGBT+ people even after users report it.
Is the tide finally turning against dangerous LGBT+ ‘cures’?
Instagram’s decision comes the same week the UN said forced “conversion therapy” amounted to torture.
Meanwhile, a new report released this week reveals that young LGBT+ people who have undergone the “healings” are more than twice as likely to attempt suicide.
All of the world’s leading health, psychiatric and psychological organizations condemn “conversion therapy” as futile and dangerous.
However, it remains legal in most of the world.
So far, only Malta, Ecuador, Brazil, Taiwan and Germany have banned ‘conversion therapy’ in law.
But there are signs lawmakers are beginning to act. Indeed, the international LGBT+ organization ILGA World has predicted that 2020 could be a groundbreaking year on the issue worldwide.
The Netherlands, UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia and Chile are among the countries considering a legal ban.
There are already bans in 20 US states: New Jersey, California, Oregon, Illinois, Vermont, New Mexico, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Nevada, Washington, Hawaii, Delaware, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts, Maine, Colorado, Utah and Virginia as well as Washington DC and Puerto Rico.
Additionally, Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential nominee, has promised to ban “therapies” if he makes it to the White House.
Also, last month, one of the largest “healing” organizations in the United States announced its closure.
help is here
If “conversion therapy” or poor mental health is affecting you, help is available. You can find a list of LGBT+ resources and helplines around the world here. Please note that some helplines may have different hours of operation during the coronavirus pandemic.
[ad_2]
0 comments