Facebook Launches ‘More Ways Than Ever’ to Celebrate Pride Month

“We are Proud to Support the LGBTQ Community”

While Donald Trump and his administration may have decided not to acknowledge LGBT Pride Month, opting instead to finally recognize “National Home Ownership Month,” others have stepped up to fill the void.

Announced via the platform’s “Newsroom” this week, Facebook advised they are “proud to support our diverse community, including those that have identified themselves on Facebook as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or gender non-conforming,” declaring that they were now offering “more ways than ever before for people to show their pride and support the LGBTQ community on Facebook.”

The social media giant further cited that over 12 million people globally are a part of one of the 76,000 Facebook groups that support the LGBTQ community. The full list of additions can be found here, but some highlights include:  

Update Your Profile Pic with a Rainbow Frame 
Throughout the month of June, you might see a message from Facebook in your News Feed wishing you a Happy Pride and inviting you to add a colorful, Pride-themed profile frame. Additionally, you might also see a special animation on top of your News Feed if you happen to react to our message.

React with Pride
You may see a colorful, limited-edition Pride Reaction during Pride Month. When you choose this temporary rainbow reaction, you’ll be expressing your “Pride” to the post.

 

Brighten Up Your Photos
In Facebook Camera, you can find some new colorful, Pride-themed masks and frames. If you swipe to the left of News Feed, click on the magic wand to bring up camera effects and you’ll be able to find the effects in the mask and frame category.

Support an LGBTQ Cause 
In the US, start a Facebook Fundraiser or donate to your favorite LGBTQ cause. On Facebook, you can raise money for a nonprofit or people — for yourself, a friend or someone or something not on Facebook.

As Upworthy’s Parker Molloy pointed out, there are other ways to use the additions to celebrate Pride as well:

“Our commitment and support of the LGBTQ community has been unwavering,” the site advised. “From our support of marriage equality and bullying prevention, to the many product experiences that we’ve brought to life, we are proud of our attention to the LGBTQ experience on Facebook, often thanks to the many LGBTQ people and allies who work here.”

Critics have pointed out Facebook’s controversial “real name” policy, which has caused great burden to many transgender individuals, and also that the “pride reaction” should be year-round. The site has responded that they’re “continuing to test different ways to bring… the most relevant experiences for the moments you care about,” providing a link to provide feedback.  

“We are proud to support the LGBTQ community,” Facebook concluded, “and while more work still remains, we are eager to be active partners going forward. Happy Pride.”

 

To use the ‘Pride’ reaction or comment on this article and other NCRM content, visit our Facebook page.

Images by Facebook