LGBT Creators Express Frustration Over Harassment and Lack of Support on YouTube

LGBT creators are voicing their concerns over persistent harassment on YouTube, highlighting a lack of support from the platform amidst ongoing discriminatory content.

Lindz Amer, the creator behind the channel Queer Kid Stuff, has faced harassment on YouTube since the channel's inception. The channel aims to educate children about LGBT and social justice issues, but it has also attracted negative attention from neo-Nazi groups and disparaging reaction videos from larger channels.

Amer noted that searching for 'Queer Kid Stuff' yields not only their content but also videos that mock and bully them. They expressed frustration, stating, "It’s been a really big problem for my channel and what I’m trying to do."

The situation resonated with other LGBT creators, particularly in light of the experiences of Vox host Carlos Maza, who has faced targeted harassment from far-right commentator Steven Crowder. Maza, who identifies as gay and Latino, has been subjected to derogatory remarks in Crowder's videos. After receiving little support through YouTube's official channels, Maza took to Twitter to express his discontent with the platform's handling of the situation.

In a viral thread, Maza stated, "After two years of harassment for being gay and Latino, @YouTube has decided not to punish Crowder." Following significant public backlash, YouTube eventually announced it would prohibit discriminatory videos, although Crowder's content remains available, and his channel has been demonetized.

Critics have pointed out the irony of YouTube's actions, especially during Pride Month when the company's logo features rainbow colors. Amer criticized the platform's stance, stating, "They have this fucking pride logo in their Twitter avatar when they’re saying it’s ok to call him a ‘lipsy gay’ and have the word ‘fag’ on a T-shirt."

Amer emphasized that Maza's experience is not unique, asserting that many LGBT creators have faced similar or even worse situations. They are not alone in their grievances; Tyler Oakley, who has 7.4 million subscribers, expressed disappointment over YouTube's policies, while Ash Hardell, a transmasculine creator with 623,000 subscribers, described reaching a breaking point with the platform.

Hardell remarked, "YouTube uses pride and LGBT creators as part of their promotion but it doesn’t feel genuine, it feels like we’re being used." They also recounted their own experiences of harassment, including a breach of privacy when their workplace was exposed online, leading to threats against their job security.

They conveyed the emotional toll of the harassment, stating, "What makes me want to leave YouTube is the harassment. It starts to beat you down. Eventually you can only take a beating for so long." Hardell called for a clearer harassment policy from YouTube that explicitly defines harassment and ensures better support for affected users.

Hardell also highlighted issues with content visibility, noting that their wife's wedding vow video was age-restricted and that many creators have had their queer or trans content hidden. Amp Somers, who runs a sex education channel called Watts the Safeword, reported a decline in engagement as viewers struggled to find his content amid anti-LGBT advertisements that were running on similar channels.

Somers criticized YouTube's response to these ads, stating it was tone-deaf to suggest that creators could simply turn off such ads in their settings. He argued, "It doesn’t really say that queer creators are important or valued."

All three creators expressed concern that YouTube seems to reward harassment, suggesting that controversy and aggressive communities, like those surrounding Crowder, drive engagement and revenue for the platform. Amer concluded by asserting that YouTube is aware of its choices, stating, "You can make the world a better place or you can manipulate it to make as much money as possible, and YouTube is staunchly in the place of making as much money as possible."

Reflecting on their experiences, Amer declared, "I can’t stand by a company that’s made that choice."