Science & Tech
Elon Musk’s X/Twitter Reinstates Misgendering, Deadnaming Rules
Clear Facts
- Elon Musk’s X/Twitter has reintroduced its rules against “misgendering” and “deadnaming” transgender individuals, after previously removing these rules in 2023.
- The updated policy states that X/Twitter will “reduce the visibility of posts” that incorrectly gender a person or use their old name, and action will be taken when the platform hears directly from the target of the misgendering or deadnaming.
- When posts are flagged for misgendering or deadnaming, they will be removed from search results, home timelines, trends, and notifications, and will not display ads.
Elon Musk’s X/Twitter platform has recently reinstated its rules against “misgendering” and “deadnaming” transgender individuals. This move comes after the platform had previously removed these rules to much acclaim in 2023.
According to Ars Technica, X/Twitter’s abuse and harassment policy page now includes a section detailing its rules against intentionally using incorrect pronouns for a person or referring to them by a name they no longer use. This practice, known as “deadnaming” by LGBT activists, is now being actively discouraged on the platform.
The new “Use of Prior Names and Pronouns” section states that X/Twitter will “reduce the visibility of posts” that incorrectly gender a person or use their old name rather than their new one adopted during transition.
This policy shift follows the removal of X/Twitter’s prohibition on deadnaming and misgendering of transgender users in April 2023. GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis had criticized the change, stating it was “the latest example of just how unsafe the company is for users and advertisers alike” under the ownership of Elon Musk, who has a history of liking and sharing anti-trans content.
Under the updated policy, X/Twitter will take action when it hears directly from the target of the misgendering or deadnaming, “given the complexity of determining whether such a violation has occurred.”
GLAAD senior director Jenni Olson told Ars this unfairly places the burden on targets to report their own abuse. However, she acknowledged that explicit policies against deadnaming and misgendering are preferable to vague ones that leave violators unsure if they’re breaking rules.
Chay Raichik of Libs of TikTok questioned the change and asked X/Twitter owner Elon Musk to comment on the situation. Musk responded by saying the policy only applies to “repeated, targeted harassment of a particular person.”
“This is just about repeated, targeted harassment of a particular person.”
When posts are flagged for misgendering or deadnaming, X/Twitter will reduce their visibility by removing them from search results, home timelines, trends, and notifications. They will also be downranked in reply sections and only viewable on authors’ profiles. Furthermore, they won’t display ads — a move likely aimed at preventing another advertiser pullout like the one X suffered last year over hate speech controversies.
Elon Musk, who describes himself as a “free speech absolutist,” appears to be bending to the demands of advertisers and LGBT activists with this policy change.
Clear Thoughts (op-ed)
Elon Musk’s X/Twitter platform has taken a step backward by reintroducing its rules against “misgendering” and “deadnaming” transgender individuals. This move seems to be driven by the demands of advertisers and LGBT activists, rather than a genuine commitment to free speech.
The policy change places the onus on the target of misgendering or deadnaming to report the abuse, which some argue is unfair. However, it’s worth noting that the policy only applies to “repeated, targeted harassment of a particular person,” as Musk himself pointed out.
By reinstating these rules, X/Twitter is demonstrating that it values the opinions of a select group over the principles of free speech. As a conservative platform, we must continue to fight for the right to express our opinions without fear of censorship or silencing.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
CandygramForMongo
March 6, 2024 at 6:41 am
PHUCK TWATTER AND EVERY OTHER FAKE SOCIAL MEDIA SITE!!!
moon
March 6, 2024 at 6:44 am
candygram = stupid is stupid
ROBERT Gordon STONE
March 6, 2024 at 7:09 am
When one sided twitter was taken over by someone that wanted free speech, I was very happy. Well, I should have known better.
Sandra
March 6, 2024 at 11:53 pm
This has to do with money. Musk wouldn’t give a damn about the he, her it bs going on. However he could lose money if he offended this group.
David
March 6, 2024 at 7:12 am
It’s funny how people think elon is for free speech, freedom, etc yet he plays the same satan games as all the other politicians. Those who think he’s on the side of the “people” should look up his picture with his blinged out jacket thst reads, new world order in latin. Social media is one of thr stupidest things ever invented. It dumbs people down, controls narratives and actuslly mskes people anti-social.
Jerry s.
March 6, 2024 at 8:48 am
Sos I was hopefully this would finally be a good site!!!! Wrong you are what you are born with!! Period !!!! Stop pandering to woke p o s,s Elon thought you was better than this!!!
Marc C
March 6, 2024 at 9:23 am
Sick -n- tired of this “misgendering” B.S. MALES are “males”. FEMALES are “females”. That’s all there is. If someone insists that they are something OTHER than that, then they need PSYCHOLOGICAL HELP. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/finding-a-therapist-who-can-help-you-heal.htm
L Stewart
March 6, 2024 at 10:35 am
It is very, very disappointing to see X return to a policy of sanctioning those who refuse to follow the ridiculous, socially harmful and offensuve idea that we must fall in line with the demand of a perverted minority that we use their artificial terminology which we know to be wrong in every sense.
LMB
March 6, 2024 at 11:29 am
WELL THAT DIDN’T LAST LONG!!! Elon, what the hell are you thinking?! Free Speech is just that!!! You can say what you want so long as it doesn’t kill someone!!!
L Stewart
March 6, 2024 at 12:54 pm
As an addendum to my first comment: while I understand that Mr Musk may find it expedient to avoid giving liberals a tool to attack his free speech efforts, and may also wish to avoid X becoming a medium for distasteful inter- subscriber strife,I think it a mistake to actively protect those who demand that all adopt terms which they choose to arrogantly force upon us.
Frank E Allen
March 7, 2024 at 1:19 pm
I wholeheartedly agree! When you censor speech, regardless of the reason, you have violated the rights of the person making that speech. Elon Musk spent over $40B of his own money to purchase Twitter so he could end this draconian censoring, and now he has caved to the snowflakes. I will not use incorrect gender pronouns for anyone. The correct pronouns for a biological male is he, him, his, and for a biological female is she, her, hers. If XTwitter doesn’t like it, so be it. I can do without XTwitter. Reading it is usually too depressing most of the time because it still caters to the far left way too much and ignores the rights of those on the conservative right.