In the wake of deadly mass shootings in the United States, a surge of online disinformation is targeting transgender people. Analysts say that Twitter has seen a sharp increase in anti-LGBTQ rhetoric since Elon Musk purchased the company, and the trend shows no sign of abating. This article explores how disinformation is spreading, the impact on the LGBTQ+ community, and what can be done to address the problem.
Speculation on 4chan Forum
Before police identified the gunman who killed five people at a bank in Louisville, Kentucky, users on the fringe internet forum 4chan speculated that the shooter was transgender. Once Connor Sturgeon was named, right-wing commentators shared screenshots of the suspect’s LinkedIn page, pointing out that it included his pronouns. The narrative is the latest to fuel anti-LGBTQ disinformation on platforms such as Twitter.
Transgender activist targeted
In the wake of deadly mass shootings in the United States, a surge in online disinformation has targeted an unlikely group: transgender people. After the recent shooting at a bank in Louisville, Kentucky, users on the fringe internet forum 4chan speculated that the shooter was transgender. This narrative is the latest to fuel anti-LGBTQ disinformation on platforms such as Twitter, which analysts say has increased sharply since Elon Musk bought the company.Over the course of two days, Peppermint faced a barrage of harassment and even death threats.
Falsehoods fuel Anti-LGBTQ backlash
Growing concerns about the impact of anti-LGBTQ disinformation come amid a broader trend of legislative efforts aimed at curtailing the rights of transgender individuals in the United States. According to the Human Rights Campaign, more than 100 anti-transgender bills have been introduced in state legislatures across the country in 2021 alone.
These bills target a range of issues, from prohibiting transgender girls and women from competing in school sports to restricting access to gender-affirming healthcare for minors. The passage of these bills could have significant consequences for the well-being and safety of transgender individuals, who already face high rates of discrimination, harassment, and violence. “It is awful that anti-trans extremists are hijacking this moment to baselessly lie, spread disinformation, and attack trans people, including Peppermint,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, president, and CEO of GLAAD, an LGBTQ advocacy organization.
Twitter’s prioritization of conflict
Anti-LGBTQ disinformation thrives on Twitter because “the platform prioritizes conflict,” according to Heron Greenesmith, a senior research analyst at Political Research Associates. Twitter has seen a spike in anti-LGBTQ rhetoric since Musk’s takeover of the company, according to a report from the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH). Posts mentioning the narrative that LGBTQ people are “grooming” children jumped 119% between October 2022 and March 2023, the group found. Five accounts promoting the claims generate up to $6.4 million per year in ad revenue, according to CCDH’s estimates.
Twitter’s verification policy
Exacerbating the spread of disinformation is Twitter’s updated verification policy, which no longer distinguishes between public figures and users who subscribe to Twitter Blue. “Verification was a piece of content moderation. Another piece that seems to be falling by the wayside,” Greenesmith said. Twitter Blue allows users to pay $8 per month to display a blue checkmark on their profile. But some have taken advantage of the new system to impersonate celebrities – including Peppermint.
What can be done?
To address the problem of anti-LGBTQ disinformation, experts say that Twitter must do more to moderate content and remove hate speech. They also recommend that social media companies prioritize user safety and protect vulnerable groups. LGBTQ+ advocates are calling on Twitter to take more aggressive steps to remove harmful content and ban accounts that spread disinformation. Ultimately, it will require a concerted effort by multiple stakeholders, including government officials, tech companies, and civil society organizations, to combat this growing threat.
Concerns for the future
Activists say they worry about more fallout from such falsehoods, which come as more US states pass bills limiting gender-affirming health care and LGBTQ rights. Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of GLAAD, an LGBTQ advocacy organization, said, “It is awful that anti-trans extremists are hijacking this moment to baselessly lie, spread disinformation and attack trans people, including Peppermint.”
The fear is that this disinformation will fuel more hatred, discrimination, and violence against the LGBTQ+ community. The situation on Twitter highlights the need for better moderation and content policies on social media platforms. The lack of regulation and oversight has allowed hate speech and disinformation to flourish. The LGBTQ+ community, in particular, is vulnerable to these attacks and needs better protections.
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The surge in anti-LGBTQ disinformation on Twitter is a cause for concern. The lack of moderation, prioritization of conflict, and updated verification policy have allowed right-wing influencers to spread disinformation and hate speech with impunity. The impact of this disinformation is felt by the LGBTQ+ community, who are facing harassment, threats, and violence as a result. The situation highlights the need for better moderation and content policies on social media platforms. It is time for Twitter and other social media companies to take responsibility for the harm caused by the spread of disinformation and hate speech.
