Being a Digital Ally

This January, Greater Boston PFLAG encourages you to make a #NewYearsResolution to support LGBT+ Youth. All month we will share ways folks can make a difference in someone’s life. Today we’re looking at three ways to be an ally online!

First: learn about LGBTQ+ safety on social media! Check out @GLAAD’s 2022 Social Media Safety Index, which reports on LGBTQ+ user safety across the five major social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok. 

Learn more about anti-LGBTQ+ hate speech found on social media from the Social Science Research Council’s report on hate speech intensity and from the Dangerous Speech Project about the way hate gets spread

Second: watch PFLAG’s Something To Talk About episode “Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation, Rhetoric, and Violence: Beyond ‘Thoughts and Prayers’” which talks about how anti-LGBTQ+ speech creates the space for anti-LGBTQ+ violence

Third: share info to help combat misinformation! Follow us and PFLAG National (@pflag), and share our educational posts with your community - real information keeps anti-LGBTQ+ misinformation from thriving

Thank you to PFLAG National for pulling these steps together. A climate of anti-LGBTQ+ misinformation feels awful, but we hope these steps help you feel empowered to make a difference and support LGBTQ+ youth!