Over 250 celebrities and influential figures have joined forces with the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) to urge major tech companies to address the growing issue of anti-LGBTQ+ hate speech online. In an open letter published on GLAAD's Instagram account, the organization called on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitter to take concrete action against the proliferation of harmful content targeting the LGBTQ+ community, particularly transgender individuals.

The letter specifically points to the rise of high-follower accounts that spread anti-LGBTQ+ hate and disinformation, often violating the platforms' own policies. Signatories of the letter, including prominent names like Elliot Page, Ariana Grande, and Jameela Jamil, echo GLAAD's concerns about the real-world consequences of this online hate, citing threats against healthcare providers and violence against LGBTQ+ individuals.

GLAAD, in partnership with the Human Rights Campaign, outlined four key areas where social media platforms need to improve their efforts: curbing the spread of misinformation about healthcare for transgender youth; addressing accounts that promote extremist hate and disinformation; protecting prominent transgender figures from dehumanizing attacks; and combating hate speech, including targeted misgendering and deadnaming.

The organization argues that while these platforms have policies against hate speech, they are not being adequately enforced. GLAAD highlights loopholes that allow anti-LGBTQ+ accounts to engage in harassment and bullying, particularly on Facebook and Instagram. The letter concludes with a long list of celebrity signatories, including Haley Bieber, Camila Cabello, Zooey Deschanel, and Patrick Stewart, demonstrating widespread support for GLAAD's initiative. This call to action follows previous advocacy efforts by GLAAD, including CEO Sarah Kate Ellis's statements on the need for government intervention to address online anti-LGBTQ+ hate speech.