Meta Workers Left In “Shock And Disbelief” Amid Mark Zuckerberg’s Controversial LGBTQ+ Changes
Meta employees have been expressing outrage over recent content moderation changes allowing users to claim LGBTQ+ identities are “mental illnesses.” CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently announced the controversial move as part of a broader shift toward “free expression.” LGBTQ+ employees have been reportedly feeling particularly unsupported and demoralized.
- Meta's policy change allows claims that LGBTQ+ identities are "mental illnesses."
- LGBTQ+ employees at Meta consequently feel unsupported and demoralized by the policy change.
- Meta workers have expressed disbelief and embarrassment at the controversial policy update.
On January 7, Meta, the company that owns and operates social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp, announced a series of major updates to its content moderation policies.
Alongside the announcement, Meta updated its Community Guidelines, which set rules for content allowed across its platforms.
Notable changes were made to the “Hateful Conduct” policy, particularly on topics like immigration and gender.
Meta employees have been expressing outrage
Image credits: Mark Zuckerberg
Meta now says it allows “allegations of mental illness or abnormality when based on gender or sexual orientation, given political and religious discourse about transgenderism and homosexuality and common non-serious usage of words like ‘weird,’” Wired reported earlier this month.
As a result, Meta employees have been reportedly left furious. “I am LGBT and Mentally Ill,” one post by an employee on an internal Meta platform called Workplace read, 404 Media reported on January 9.
“Just to let you know that I’ll be taking time out to look after my mental health,” the post further outlined.
Image credits: zuck
Another thread on Meta’s internal Workplace site that has several hundred comments and more than a thousand reactions read: “[feedback] Sexual Orientation and Gender as a mental illness … I’d appreciate some more detail on:
“How the decision was made to update the policy, particularly given this does not reflect any mainstream scientific consensus; How the policy reflects our values and perspectives as a company, and whether these are different to the values we’ve expressed in the past; Who (if any) LGBT groups [internal or external] were consulted as part of this change.”
Ben Good, the head of Americas for the Core Policy Team at Meta, told employees in the thread that “our core values have not changed,” 404 Media reported.
Recent content moderation changes allowing users to claim LGBTQ+ identities are “mental illnesses” sparked fury
View this post on Instagram
He further wrote: “The changes to our Hateful Conduct policy seek to undo the mission creep that has made our rules too restrictive and too prone to over enforcement.
“Reaffirming our core value of free expression means that we might see content on our platforms that people find offensive … yesterday’s changes not only open up conversation about these subjects, but allow for counterspeech on what matters to users.”
Current Meta employees reportedly revealed that many fellow workers were angered about the policy changes.
Image credits: Julio Lopez/Pexels
“It’s total chaos internally at Meta right now,” one current employee told 404 Media.
They added: “The entire thread of comments shared is dissent toward the new policy, save for one leader repeating Zuckerberg’s talking points.
“I’d call the mood shock and disbelief. It’s embarrassment and shame that feels self-inflicted, different than mistakes the company has made in the past.”
LGBTQ+ employees have been reportedly feeling particularly unsupported and demoralized
Image credits: Mark Zuckerberg
Another employee said: “No one is excited or happy about these changes.
“And obviously the employees who identify as being part of the LGBTQ+ community are especially unhappy and feel the most unsupported in this.
“A small number of people are taking time off and are sharing that they are considering leaving the company due to this change.”
A separate worker told 404 Media: “Morale of fellow queer employees is in the absolute sh*tter, surprising no one.”
In the thread obtained by 404 Media, Meta workers reportedly said they could not find information about how the policy was created and who was consulted, as a person asked: “Did we miss a Policy Forum where we could hear the results of any research supporting this change and opinions of all?”
To which a person replied, “I looked for one and couldn’t find it either.”
Image credits: stock.adobe
Another employee wrote: “Can the policy team also address why the company did not have a response prepared for something that would clearly have such a significant impact internally and externally on employees/users who fall into these categories?”
A worker reportedly expressed: “Changes to Meta’s policy should be done thoughtfully, with considerable consultation from policy analysts, lawyers, and other subject matter experts.
“Those changes should have documented rationale, preferably available publicly.
“At the very least, Meta should be able to tell company employees why it is now acceptable to call a large number of them mentally ill or to refer to them as ‘property’ or to refer to them as ‘it.’”
CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently announced the controversial move as part of a broader shift toward “free expression“
Image credits: PowerfulJRE
Other comments shared by Meta employees that were obtained by 404 Media include: “I wish I could resign in protest, but I’ve already resigned.”
“I find it very hard to understand how explicitly carving out which groups of marginalized people can have what we otherwise classify hate speech directed at them will be beneficial for the communities we hope to build on our platforms.”
“This change is unacceptable on all levels.”
“Someone went into this policy and not only removed protection, they actually *doubled down* and made it explicitly okay. Absolutely wild.”
Image credits: Thought Catalog/Pexels
“I had to reread the policy language many times to believe what I was seeing—a very clear statement that we’re okay with people attacking others based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
“I cannot begin to fathom why we think this is acceptable or helpful to our community and our company’s mission.
“I’ve never felt so strongly that we’re on the wrong side of history. This is going to cause so much harm. Please reconsider this change.”
“When I first joined this company, people would criticize me for working here all the time. I defended y’all time and time again, always anchoring that in the end, we do try our best even if it doesn’t work out sometimes – but this? Appalling.”
Mark linked his perspective on masculinity to personal experiences with martial arts
Image credits: Lex Fridman
“I think it’s clear that the policy team is not open to any feedback here and is committed to an ideological project that sacrifices some of our communities in order to achieve their goal.
“Just call me a tr*nny and close the discussion here. At least it would be honest.”
Labeling LGBTQ+ identities as “mental illnesses” is scientifically inaccurate and perpetuates harmful stigma.
The American Psychological Association declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder in 1973, recognizing that diverse sexual orientations are normal variations of human sexuality.
Similarly, the World Health Organization removed transgender identities from its list of mental disorders in 2019, acknowledging that being transgender is not a mental health condition.
Image credits: zuck
These decisions are based on extensive research demonstrating no inherent link between LGBTQ+ identities and psychopathology.
Allowing statements that contradict this scientific consensus, as per Meta’s recent policy change, can reinforce prejudice and discrimination, adversely affecting the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals, according to the Mental Health Foundation.
The controversial policy change comes as Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg defended “masculine energy” and criticized the cultural rejection of masculinity in a recent interview with Joe Rogan.
During his interview, coinciding with Meta’s decision to end its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, Mark linked his perspective to personal experiences with martial arts, which he said fostered positive aggression and camaraderie among men.
Mark said that he wanted women to succeed but didn’t think masculinity needed to be categorized as “toxic” for that to happen
Image credits: Mark Zuckerberg
“It’s one thing to say we want to be kind of like welcoming and make a good environment for everyone, and I think it’s another to basically say that ‘masculinity is bad,’ and I just think we kind of swung culturally to that part of the – the kind of – the spectrum,” Mark told Joe, Fox Business reported on Saturday (January 11).
The billionaire, who reportedly grew up with only sisters and now has only daughters, told Joe that he wanted women to succeed but didn’t think masculinity needed to be categorized as “toxic” for that to happen.
The 40-year-old reportedly credited martial arts for his change of heart when it came to masculinity, telling the podcast that having something to do with his male friends where they can “beat each other” has been a “positive experience” for him.
Mark revealed: “I think having a culture that celebrates the aggression a bit more has its own merits that are really positive.”
“Time to revive MySpace,” a reader commented
Poll Question
Thanks! Check out the results:
Well he did donate $1,000,000 to the inauguration. I wonder what they're all getting for their donations.
Load More Replies...Sociopath Zuckerberg started Faecesbook in college to rate women students on "doability". What do you expect from such a knuckle-dragging troglodyte?
Can we refer to religion as mental illness on Facebook? That's freedom of speech too.
If it benefits FB financially, then yes. If it hurts their bottom line, then no. This decision, like all other decisions by FB, is based solely on its own financial interests.
Load More Replies...I don't have Facebook but I am gay myself so I feel as though I can comment on this. Obviously I don't agree that being gay is a mental illness. But when I see protests or parades, I can't help but think a lot of the behaviour I witness is mental illness. It's become cult-like. Gone are the days of let us live in peace like everyone else.
This is only my perception, and I could be wrong, but it seems there are more voices speaking out from (and for) the LGBTQ community because there has been a great deal more attacks against them since, oh, 2016. I feel like it's a natural response against the renewed wave of conservative fear and hatred. It's ironic, really, because I feel the backlash wouldn't have happened if the far right could have just kept their mouths shut.
Load More Replies...Haven't had Facebook in years, always disliked it. Such a toxic platform. I don't have any social media. I wish it didn't exist anymore!
I'm the same way. I think social media is toxic too. I only used Facebook to talk with distant relatives. I quit using it 3 years ago
Load More Replies...The policy change also specifically says it's now okay to refer to women as "household objects." Zuck claims this is in line with "mainstream discourse." I left Facebook 6 years ago when their board was spouting c**p about "paid protestors funded by George Soros" but now I'm also ditching Instagram.
This is what concerns me. The whole article is about lgbt+ but nothing about womens rights.
Load More Replies...Don't insult mentally ill people. His actions are results of informed choices and therefore, may qualify as stupid, as evil, as dumb - but he's responsible for it fully, not to a limited extent like somebody who obeyed the voices in his head and ate his Grandma's shoes. Suckerberg knows what he's doing, and seems to seek Trump's friendship, knowing what and why he's doing.
Load More Replies...As a Gay man, when people don't care about my sexuality.. I don't talk about it. But when people protest or slag us off, I feel the need to shut it from the roof tops.. Life lesson.. Just shut up and get on with your life and more gays just might do the same.
So, in the name of social progress and making America great again, the good folks on the conservative right will float the idea that people of different races and ethnicities should have access to their own public facilities. They will call it "Separate But Equal" and it will be lauded as wonderful. They might even coin a word to describe it, that being "Apartheid" and cheer its name. Hell, some of the older folks might even remember when marrying someone of a different race was illegal in some states in their own lifetimes. Those 1950s that they remember so well were great for some, but not so wonderful for others. Nostalgic yearnings mixed with Schvtzst@ffel enforcement. Remember, the N@zis went after minority populations first too.
You see it too ? So many people say that people will be upset with what happens but the " media" will pump out the " see isnt it great ?" . I put media in quotes because i want to include social media as well as traditional media. We have seen X, meta, networks and newspapers
Load More Replies...I wish it would, too. But did X suffer from its toxic policy changes? Are the restaurants and community gardens in your neighborhood going to stop using it? Are your neighbors going to stop buying and selling on Marketplace? Let's see if even GLAAD or The Trevor Project stop posting on FB and redirect all visitors to another site. I think we both know the answer to that.
Load More Replies...His wife is about to leave him and he's clearly trying to look like less of a little b*tchboy to his new MAGA overlords. He didn't just bend the knee, he bent over and grabbed his ankles.
"Mark linked his perspective on masculinity to personal experiences with martial arts". Most real martial artists are respectful, humble, accepting, and understanding of other groups of people. If he's speaking the way he is as a "martial artist", then his coach/sensei has failed in teaching him the right lessons. What he says about "masculinity" does not reflect what most real martial artists believe.
I mean it couldn't possibly be that all the people like Zuck and Space Nazi are in each other's pockets /s
I wonder, of all the negative comments, just how many still use Facebook?
I'd add my true thoughts on Mark and his homoerotic buddies beating up on each other, but I suspect my comment might get deleted.
I prefer (?) to think of them as beating *off* one another. I'm surprised any of them can talk at all given how far the orange c**k has gone down their collective throats.
Load More Replies...It’s pretty on-brand for a guy like this to think that calling out toxic masculinity is the same thing as calling all masculinity toxic. Also, I’m sure he’s all for free expression until it hits home or he experiences consequences; just like Trump and Elon and the whole lot of them, they only want free expression and speech to run one way.
How about, people just stop using Facebook. It is actually really easy to do. I abandoned my account almost 7 years ago and I am better for it. When I want to talk to someone I know I call or message them. I am more involved in what is going on locally and have more time for the things that are enriching to my life.
And here is yet another opportunity for the public to put their actions where their values are. Let's see if this results in any measurable reduction in FB users or daily visits. If GLAAD, HRC and Pride Nation stop posting on FB and redirect all visitors to another site or platform. I sadly expect that all this justifiable outrage will, once again, change nothing.
Just signed out of Instagram, signed out of FB last week. Guess I'll need to find something more productive and interesting to do with my time! I don't think I'll miss either. Hey, schumk, your parents' are hopefully ashamed of you.
So we can start saying Zuckerberg is likely a pedophile who drinks the blood of children on Facebook? Since we're just making stuff up now?
"He wanted women to succeed but didn’t think masculinity needed to be categorized as “toxic” for that to happen", - golly gosh, Zucky has NOT been paying attention, at all
He doesn't give c**p one about women or anything else that isn't him. It's a shame he's reproduced.
Load More Replies...I'm intersex and I'm biologically male/female but because I looked too female in the first part of my life, they made me dress female and go by a female name. It wasn't until I was in my thirties I realized my anatomy and identity behind the mask people stuck on me. I took on a new name to match my authentic self. Facebook refused to let me go by my male name. To this day it has a female name. F**k facebook.
I'm intersex and I'm biologically male but because I looked to female in the first part of my life, they made me dress female and go by a female name. It wasn't until I was in my thirties I realized my anatomy and that I was hiding who I was. Facebook refused to let me go by my male name. To this day it has a female name. F**k facebook.
Unfortunately My car club uses Facebutt and their marketplace is the only way to buy and sell stuff in my town.
did queer meta employees really feel like their workplace was a queer-friendly/supportive place beforehand? That's not an assumption I'd be likely to make in any workplace unless it had been made explicitely clear, but even less knowing my employer was Elon Musk
Surprise! The big companies and especially the huge corporations that started using inclusivity programs, spending considerable time and money to do so, during the past several years: They were not doing it to be fair or benevolent, they were doing it because it was fashionable and thus to better sell you something.
why is there a poll and why did 20% say that they support the changes wtf Screenshot...8f-png.jpg
It’s called freedom of speech, dumbass. You don’t have to agree with it! Duh. 🤦♂️ Read the Constitution for once.
Why would I read, or even care, about the constitution of a foreign country? means jack shït to me.
Load More Replies...A few hundred years ago, the majority considered to be a fact of the existence of exactly four elements. Some extremists pushed the cause too far, not "just" but straight to the point where nobody believes there are only four elements anymore. Over half a century ago, the scientific community declared that LGBT+ people are normal variations. BTW, nobody portrays straight as wrong on its own. If you know any, feel free to cite/reference that. I mean being straight being portrayed as inherently wrong, not having a straight character that happens to be the bad guy.
Load More Replies...I can't speak for everyone, but I am not mad. I find you hilarious in a pathetic way. To get so upset over something you don't understand (free speech) is hilariously sad.
Load More Replies...Well he did donate $1,000,000 to the inauguration. I wonder what they're all getting for their donations.
Load More Replies...Sociopath Zuckerberg started Faecesbook in college to rate women students on "doability". What do you expect from such a knuckle-dragging troglodyte?
Can we refer to religion as mental illness on Facebook? That's freedom of speech too.
If it benefits FB financially, then yes. If it hurts their bottom line, then no. This decision, like all other decisions by FB, is based solely on its own financial interests.
Load More Replies...I don't have Facebook but I am gay myself so I feel as though I can comment on this. Obviously I don't agree that being gay is a mental illness. But when I see protests or parades, I can't help but think a lot of the behaviour I witness is mental illness. It's become cult-like. Gone are the days of let us live in peace like everyone else.
This is only my perception, and I could be wrong, but it seems there are more voices speaking out from (and for) the LGBTQ community because there has been a great deal more attacks against them since, oh, 2016. I feel like it's a natural response against the renewed wave of conservative fear and hatred. It's ironic, really, because I feel the backlash wouldn't have happened if the far right could have just kept their mouths shut.
Load More Replies...Haven't had Facebook in years, always disliked it. Such a toxic platform. I don't have any social media. I wish it didn't exist anymore!
I'm the same way. I think social media is toxic too. I only used Facebook to talk with distant relatives. I quit using it 3 years ago
Load More Replies...The policy change also specifically says it's now okay to refer to women as "household objects." Zuck claims this is in line with "mainstream discourse." I left Facebook 6 years ago when their board was spouting c**p about "paid protestors funded by George Soros" but now I'm also ditching Instagram.
This is what concerns me. The whole article is about lgbt+ but nothing about womens rights.
Load More Replies...Don't insult mentally ill people. His actions are results of informed choices and therefore, may qualify as stupid, as evil, as dumb - but he's responsible for it fully, not to a limited extent like somebody who obeyed the voices in his head and ate his Grandma's shoes. Suckerberg knows what he's doing, and seems to seek Trump's friendship, knowing what and why he's doing.
Load More Replies...As a Gay man, when people don't care about my sexuality.. I don't talk about it. But when people protest or slag us off, I feel the need to shut it from the roof tops.. Life lesson.. Just shut up and get on with your life and more gays just might do the same.
So, in the name of social progress and making America great again, the good folks on the conservative right will float the idea that people of different races and ethnicities should have access to their own public facilities. They will call it "Separate But Equal" and it will be lauded as wonderful. They might even coin a word to describe it, that being "Apartheid" and cheer its name. Hell, some of the older folks might even remember when marrying someone of a different race was illegal in some states in their own lifetimes. Those 1950s that they remember so well were great for some, but not so wonderful for others. Nostalgic yearnings mixed with Schvtzst@ffel enforcement. Remember, the N@zis went after minority populations first too.
You see it too ? So many people say that people will be upset with what happens but the " media" will pump out the " see isnt it great ?" . I put media in quotes because i want to include social media as well as traditional media. We have seen X, meta, networks and newspapers
Load More Replies...I wish it would, too. But did X suffer from its toxic policy changes? Are the restaurants and community gardens in your neighborhood going to stop using it? Are your neighbors going to stop buying and selling on Marketplace? Let's see if even GLAAD or The Trevor Project stop posting on FB and redirect all visitors to another site. I think we both know the answer to that.
Load More Replies...His wife is about to leave him and he's clearly trying to look like less of a little b*tchboy to his new MAGA overlords. He didn't just bend the knee, he bent over and grabbed his ankles.
"Mark linked his perspective on masculinity to personal experiences with martial arts". Most real martial artists are respectful, humble, accepting, and understanding of other groups of people. If he's speaking the way he is as a "martial artist", then his coach/sensei has failed in teaching him the right lessons. What he says about "masculinity" does not reflect what most real martial artists believe.
I mean it couldn't possibly be that all the people like Zuck and Space Nazi are in each other's pockets /s
I wonder, of all the negative comments, just how many still use Facebook?
I'd add my true thoughts on Mark and his homoerotic buddies beating up on each other, but I suspect my comment might get deleted.
I prefer (?) to think of them as beating *off* one another. I'm surprised any of them can talk at all given how far the orange c**k has gone down their collective throats.
Load More Replies...It’s pretty on-brand for a guy like this to think that calling out toxic masculinity is the same thing as calling all masculinity toxic. Also, I’m sure he’s all for free expression until it hits home or he experiences consequences; just like Trump and Elon and the whole lot of them, they only want free expression and speech to run one way.
How about, people just stop using Facebook. It is actually really easy to do. I abandoned my account almost 7 years ago and I am better for it. When I want to talk to someone I know I call or message them. I am more involved in what is going on locally and have more time for the things that are enriching to my life.
And here is yet another opportunity for the public to put their actions where their values are. Let's see if this results in any measurable reduction in FB users or daily visits. If GLAAD, HRC and Pride Nation stop posting on FB and redirect all visitors to another site or platform. I sadly expect that all this justifiable outrage will, once again, change nothing.
Just signed out of Instagram, signed out of FB last week. Guess I'll need to find something more productive and interesting to do with my time! I don't think I'll miss either. Hey, schumk, your parents' are hopefully ashamed of you.
So we can start saying Zuckerberg is likely a pedophile who drinks the blood of children on Facebook? Since we're just making stuff up now?
"He wanted women to succeed but didn’t think masculinity needed to be categorized as “toxic” for that to happen", - golly gosh, Zucky has NOT been paying attention, at all
He doesn't give c**p one about women or anything else that isn't him. It's a shame he's reproduced.
Load More Replies...I'm intersex and I'm biologically male/female but because I looked too female in the first part of my life, they made me dress female and go by a female name. It wasn't until I was in my thirties I realized my anatomy and identity behind the mask people stuck on me. I took on a new name to match my authentic self. Facebook refused to let me go by my male name. To this day it has a female name. F**k facebook.
I'm intersex and I'm biologically male but because I looked to female in the first part of my life, they made me dress female and go by a female name. It wasn't until I was in my thirties I realized my anatomy and that I was hiding who I was. Facebook refused to let me go by my male name. To this day it has a female name. F**k facebook.
Unfortunately My car club uses Facebutt and their marketplace is the only way to buy and sell stuff in my town.
did queer meta employees really feel like their workplace was a queer-friendly/supportive place beforehand? That's not an assumption I'd be likely to make in any workplace unless it had been made explicitely clear, but even less knowing my employer was Elon Musk
Surprise! The big companies and especially the huge corporations that started using inclusivity programs, spending considerable time and money to do so, during the past several years: They were not doing it to be fair or benevolent, they were doing it because it was fashionable and thus to better sell you something.
why is there a poll and why did 20% say that they support the changes wtf Screenshot...8f-png.jpg
It’s called freedom of speech, dumbass. You don’t have to agree with it! Duh. 🤦♂️ Read the Constitution for once.
Why would I read, or even care, about the constitution of a foreign country? means jack shït to me.
Load More Replies...A few hundred years ago, the majority considered to be a fact of the existence of exactly four elements. Some extremists pushed the cause too far, not "just" but straight to the point where nobody believes there are only four elements anymore. Over half a century ago, the scientific community declared that LGBT+ people are normal variations. BTW, nobody portrays straight as wrong on its own. If you know any, feel free to cite/reference that. I mean being straight being portrayed as inherently wrong, not having a straight character that happens to be the bad guy.
Load More Replies...I can't speak for everyone, but I am not mad. I find you hilarious in a pathetic way. To get so upset over something you don't understand (free speech) is hilariously sad.
Load More Replies...
19
130