Sarah Kate Ellis, the chief executive of the LGBTQ+ advocacy organization GLAAD, suggested that there is a need for government intervention in the prevention of online “hate speech” against the LGBTQ+ community.
In an appearance on “CBS Mornings,” Ellis was asked who and what should be cracking down on hate speech against LGBTQ+ people on online platforms.
“We do need government intervention here and we need the right policies,” Ellis responded.
“This has been going on for over a decade and congress has been really ineffective to say the best,” she added.
Ellis argued that online hate speech against the LGBTQ+ community is to blame for the increase in anti-LGBTQ legislation at the state level.
During the interview, Ellis cited a report by her organization that found that 84% of LGBTQ+ individuals aged 18 and above feel there are “not enough” protections in the online world against harassment and discrimination. The report singled out Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok as not having the essential protections needed to protect the LGBTQ+ community.
“The environment out there is really tough for LGBTQ people, especially our youth,” Ellis said. “Also, what’s happened over this past year is we’ve seen over 300 anti-LGBTQ bills at the state level proposed.”
“This is all driven from online. That’s where people get together. That’s where this hate and discrimination festers,” she added. She further suggested that advocacy groups, parents, and kids should report incidents of hate speech to platforms to force them to take action.”
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