The social media platform X, known formerly as Twitter, was engaged in another round of controversy after users were made aware that it would be implementing a policy that reduces the visibility of posts “misgendering” or “deadnaming” transgender-identifying individuals.
According to the updated policy, X will suppress posts that intentionally misgender or deadname individuals who identify as transgender. The platform claims this action is necessary to combat targeted harassment, but critics argue that it infringes upon free speech and forces users to adhere to the left-wing view on gender ideology.
“We will reduce the visibility of posts that purposefully use different pronouns to address someone other than what that person uses for themselves, or that use a previous name that someone no longer goes by as part of their transition,” the policy reads. “Given the complexity of determining whether such a violation has occurred, we must always hear from the target to determine if a violation has occurred.”
Once news broke that the platform was reintroducing this policy, many political voices from the right expressed outrage and questioned why X owner Elon Musk would allow the policy to be implemented.
Libs of TikTok owner Chaya Raichik called out Musk in a post on X, seeking clarification on the policy reintroduction. Musk defended the decision, stating that the policy targets “repeated, targeted harassment of a particular person.” However, Raichik and others questioned the definition of harassment and expressed concerns over the selective enforcement of such policies.
“Using the correct sex based pronouns for someone is ‘harassment?’” Raichik further questioned. “We’re being forced to lie? What about harassment in general? There are accounts who repeatedly target and harass specific individuals in an obsessive way. What constitutes ‘repeated’ and ‘targeted’ and why do only one group of people get this special treatment?”
Podcaster Tim Pool also took a stance against this policy, announcing his termination of all advertisement spending commitments and verified accounts on the platform.
Musk then gave more clarification on the policy following Pool’s announcement, explaining that it was due to a “court judgment in Brazil,” and should not apply in other countries.
Musk’s lack of transparency and multiple statements on the new policy have left users confused about what X’s current stance is on the so-called use of “improper pronouns” and “deadnaming.” However, it appears at this time that the policy will only apply in cases where it may be “required by local laws.”
Prior to Musk’s takeover of X (then Twitter), the social media platform would outright suspend and ban users over intentionally using biological pronouns for transgender-identifying individuals. Most notable was the Babylon Bee account, which faced suspension after it referred to U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health Rachel Levine as a man. The company refused to delete the tweet in question and remained suspended until Musk’s takeover of the platform.
