A group of LGBTIQ+ content creators on YouTube are suing the Google-owned platform, claiming it unfairly targets queer videos for demonetisation and viewer restrictions.
The lawsuit was filed earlier this week on behalf of the the YouTubers behind of GNews!, Bria Kam and Chrissy Chambers, as well as Chase Ross (uppercaseCHASE1), Lindsay Amer (Queer Kid Stuff) and Amp Somers (Watts The Safeword).
According to The Washington Post, the content creators are seeking class-action status, alleging that YouTube is too quick to label their videos as offensive or sexually explicit due to their queer angles.
The lawsuit alleges: “Defendants’ control and regulation of speech on YouTube has resulted in a chaotic cesspool where popular, compliant, top quality, and protected LGBTQ+ content is restricted, stigmatised, and demonetised as “shocking,” “inappropriate,” “offensive,” and “sexually explicit,” while homophobic and racist hatemongers run wild and are free to post vile and obscene content on the pages and channels of the LGBTQ+ Plaintiffs and other LGBTQ+ content creators.”
However, in a statement to Buzzfeed News, a YouTube spokesperson denied the allegations, saying all videos uploaded to the website were "subject to the same policies".
"We’re proud that so many LGBTIQ+ creators have chosen YouTube as a place to share their stories and build community," said Alex Joseph, a YouTube spokesperson.
He continued: "Our policies have no notion of sexual orientation or gender identity and our systems do not restrict or demonetise videos based on these factors or the inclusion of terms like 'gay' or 'transgender.'
"In addition, we have strong policies prohibiting hate speech, and we quickly remove content that violates our policies and terminate accounts that do so repeatedly."
