Arts & Entertainment
YouTube apologizes to LGBT content creators for demonetization, anti-LGBT ads
Words such as ‘transgender’ prevent YouTubers from making money
![YouTube, gay news, Washington Blade](https://www.washingtonblade.com/content/files/2013/05/YouTube_logo_insert_via_Wikimedia.jpg)
(Image via Wikimedia Commons)
YouTube has apologized to the LGBT community for allowing anti-LGBT ads to run on videos with LGBT content and for monetization policies that prevented LGBT content creators from having ads at all on their videos.
LGBT content creators have complained that their videos have become age or content restricted, weren’t showing up in search results or were becoming demonetized because of their content, among other issues.
Hey @TeamYouTube do you mind explaining why Iām receiving LITERAL ANTI-LGBT organization advertisements now? (Yep, with a donation link)
I thought the whole point was to keep the site ānon-politicalā & the videos āadvertised friendlyā.
What even is this garbage? pic.twitter.com/uJLoOjaxrw
ā Shannon Taylor (@HeyThereImShan) May 29, 2018
YouTuber Chase Ross uploaded a video discussing his transition from female to male. After uplaoding the video numerous times without issue, Ross uploaded the video using the word “transgender.” Ross showed that the video became demonitized.
DO NOT LET YOUTUBE GET AWAY WITH THIS.
I uploaded my video TWICE to see if the word “transgender” would trigger the algorithm… and every step of the way was fine UNTIL I added the word Transgender. RIGHT away, the video was demonetized.
Literally. RIGHT. AWAY. pic.twitter.com/mvCucFPyZP
ā Chase Ross ? (@ChaseRoss) May 30, 2018
YouTube issued an apology for the issues in a lengthy statement on Twitter.
“Itās the last day of Pride Month and we wanted to reach out to the LGBTQ community. Weāre proud of the incredible LGBTQ voices on our platform and the important role you play in the lives of young people.,” the statement reads. “But weāve also had issues where we let the LGBTQ community downāinappropriate ads and concerns about how weāre enforcing our monetization policy. We’re sorry and we want to do better.”
The statement continues, “Weāve taken action on the ads that violate our policies, and we are tightening our enforcement. And when we hear concerns about how weāre implementing our monetization policy, we take them seriously and make improvements if needed.Ā It’s critical to us that the LGBTQ community feels safe, welcome, equal, and supported on YouTube. Your work is incredibly powerful and we are committed to working with you to get this right.”
Itās the last day of Pride Month and we wanted to reach out to the LGBTQ community. Weāre proud of the incredible LGBTQ voices on our platform and the important role you play in the lives of young people. 1/4
ā YouTube (@YouTube) June 30, 2018
But weāve also had issues where we let the LGBTQ community downāinappropriate ads and concerns about how weāre enforcing our monetization policy. We’re sorry and we want to do better. 2/4
ā YouTube (@YouTube) June 30, 2018
Weāve taken action on the ads that violate our policies, and we are tightening our enforcement. And when we hear concerns about how weāre implementing our monetization policy, we take them seriously and make improvements if needed. 3/4
ā YouTube (@YouTube) June 30, 2018
It’s critical to us that the LGBTQ community feels safe, welcome, equal, and supported on YouTube. Your work is incredibly powerful and we are committed to working with you to get this right.4/4
ā YouTube (@YouTube) June 30, 2018
While the video platform did apologize, no specific plans of action were addressed.
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The 2024 New York City Pride Parade wound through the streets of Manhattan and past the historic Stonewall Inn on Sunday, June 30.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
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The fourth annual Fredericksburg Pride march and festival was held at Riverfront Park in Fredericksburg, Va. on Saturday, June 29. The event began with a march around downtown Fredericksburg beginning and ending in the park.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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Covering Fredericksburg Pride for @WashBlade . City Council member @WillMackintosh speaking: pic.twitter.com/tDdVD2IVsM
— Michael Patrick Key (@MichaelKeyWB) June 29, 2024
Photos
PHOTOS: Goodwin Living Pride
Senior living and healthcare organization holds fourth annual march at Falls Church campus
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The senior living and healthcare organization Goodwin Living held its fourth annual community Pride march around its Bailey’s Crossroads campus in Falls Church, Va. with residents, friends and supporters on Tuesday, June 25. Following the march, a drag brunch was held with performances by drag artists of SADBrunch: Crimsyn, Sapphire Dupree and Evon Dior Michelle.
(Photos courtesy of Goodwin Living)
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