If Meta Permits Calling LGBTQ+ People Mentally Ill, What Will Follow?
What Meta's moderation policy could signify for the mental health of LGBTQ users on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.
Meta has updated its content moderation guidelines, jeopardizing the mental health of LGBTQ users on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.
Meta’s latest content moderation guidelines have crossed a dangerous line. By allowing allegations of mental illness based on sexual orientation or gender identity, they’re not just sanctioning hate speech — they’re actively jeopardizing the mental health of LGBTQ+ users.
As a gay man and a therapist specializing in LGBTQ+ mental health, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact of these harmful narratives.
This isn’t just about online discourse; it’s about real-world consequences.
Meta’s new guidelines state:
We do allow allegations of mental illness or abnormality when based on gender or sexual orientation, given political and religious discourse about transgenderism and homosexuality and common non-serious usage of words like ‘weird’.
As you can tell, allowing users to call LGBTQ+ people “mentally ill” under the guise of “political discourse” is not just irresponsible, it’s a betrayal of the trust and safety Meta owes its users.
I’ll clarify why this matters below.
But first . . .
Historical Context and Progress
The historical context is crucial.
For decades, the LGBTQ+ community fought to remove homosexuality from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This wasn’t just a semantic battle but about human dignity and scientific truth.
In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from the DSM, recognizing it as a natural variation of human sexuality, not a disorder.
So, let’s be clear: being gay isn’t a mental illness. Every major medical association agrees.
In 2025, Meta’s policy threatens to normalize the harmful narratives we’ve spent years dismantling.
This isn’t just about hurt feelings or political correctness.
Current Mental Health Landscape for LGBTQ+ Individuals
So, why does this matter to the LGBTQ+ community on social media?
As a counselor specializing in gay mental health, I see the negative impact of Meta’s harmful rhetoric on my clients.
Gay men already face disproportionate rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts — not due to their identity but because of societal stigma and discrimination.
Meta’s new policy essentially allows this harm to amplify.
Research shows that stigmatizing language and discrimination can lead to:
Increased rates of depression and anxiety
Higher risk of substance abuse
Elevated suicide rates, especially among LGBTQ+ youth
Reduced healthcare access due to fear of discrimination
Internalized homophobia and self-hatred
What’s particularly concerning is the potential domino effect. If Meta — one of the largest social media platforms — validates this rhetoric, others might follow.
We could see a widespread regression in online safety standards for LGBTQ+ individuals.
It’s not just offensive; it’s dangerous.
Meta Needs to Do Better
As a mental health professional and an LGBTQ+ community member, I call on Meta to:
Revise these guidelines immediately.
These changes are not only harmful but directly contradict the established consensus within the medical and scientific community.Consult with a diverse group of LGBTQ+ mental health professionals and advocacy organizations.
To fully understand its potential impact, it’s essential to include voices from across our community, particularly transgender and non-binary individuals and organizations that serve them.Implement stronger protections against hate speech and discrimination targeting all members of the LGBTQ+ community.
This includes investing in AI and human moderation that can effectively identify and remove harmful content, with a particular focus on protecting transgender and non-binary users.Provide complete transparency about how these guidelines were developed.
Who was consulted? What data was used to justify this decision? The LGBTQ+ community deserves answers and accountability.
We deserve more than a safer, more inclusive online space.
We deserve platforms that actively protect all their users from harassment and discrimination.
Meta’s current behavior is breeding hate and betraying its responsibility to its most vulnerable users.
The question isn’t just “What’s next?” — it’s “Who’s next?”
Everyone, regardless of their identity, should be concerned about that.
What Can You Do?
If you’re a mental health professional, please speak up.
Write to Meta, share this article, and advocate for your LGBTQ+ clients. Your voice matters.If you’re an LGBTQ+ member struggling with online hate, you’re not alone. Reach out to LGBTQ-affirming therapists and support groups. Your mental health matters more than any social media platform’s policies.
And if you’re neither? Be an ally.
Report harmful content. Challenge these dangerous narratives. Share accurate, affirming information about LGBTQ+ mental health.
Today, it’s the LGBTQ+ community.
Tomorrow? It could be any marginalized group.
Get Support
As a therapist and gay man, I’ve seen and experienced the damage hate can do and the healing that acceptance brings.
Between the two, let’s choose healing.
If you’re struggling with online discrimination or seeking LGBTQ-affirming therapy, I’m here to help.
My online practice provides a safe, understanding space for our gay community. Send me a message or schedule your first session.
You can also read my other posts on gay mental health.
Together, we can build resilience against the challenges discrimination and hate bring.