Tech giant Meta , led by Mark Zuckerberg , has made a decision that has generated great controversy both inside and outside the company. Recently, the company officially removed transgender and non-binary topics from its Messenger messaging app , a move that many consider a step backwards in terms of inclusion and diversity.
A change aligned with Meta’s new direction
This removal is not an isolated event, but is part of a broader change in Meta’s policies , which in recent months has begun to show greater permissiveness with certain speeches on its platforms and the dismantling of some diversity and inclusion initiatives that had been promoted in previous years.
Internally, the decision has generated strong protests among employees , especially among those who defend the rights of the LGBTQ+ community and consider that this measure represents a symbolic erasure of identities that deserve to be made visible and respected.
Why is the removal of LGBTQ+ topics on Messenger worrying?
For many activists and users, the removal of these topics from Messenger represents much more than just a customization adjustment to the app. It means the disappearance of a space for representation that allowed thousands of people to express themselves freely within the platform.
Transgender and non-binary themes on Messenger were a way to celebrate and make visible gender identities that have historically been marginalized. Their removal has been seen by critics as a sign that Meta is caving in to pressure from conservative sectors , reinforcing the idea that the company is taking a direction more aligned with less inclusive ideologies .
A change that coincides with new moderation policies
In addition to the removal of these themes, Meta has been called out for relaxing its content moderation policies , allowing hate speech and misinformation to proliferate on its platforms. In this context, the removal of visual elements that supported the LGBTQ+ community reinforces concerns about the company’s real commitment to diversity.
