Queer censorship is the systematic suppression of queer expression in media, art, culture, politics, education, and society at large. Queer people have faced oppression, discrimination, and violence for centuries because of their nonconforming gender identity, sexual orientation, or desire to live outside of the traditional heterosexual norm. This has led to the development of various tactics and strategies for subverting and challenging censorship. In this article, I will explore some of the key mechanisms underlying queer censorship, including structural, technological, and social ones.
Structurally speaking, there are several factors that contribute to queer censorship.
Governments often criminalize or regulate queer behavior through laws such as sodomy laws and pornography restrictions. These laws have been used to target and punish LGBTQ+ individuals in countries around the world, from Russia to Singapore.
Educational institutions may prohibit queer literature or curriculum, denying students access to important information about queer history and experiences. Social media platforms also tend to censor queer content, either by removing it entirely or reducing its visibility. This can prevent queer people from finding and connecting with one another, as well as sharing their stories.
Technologically speaking, digital surveillance is a major factor in queer censorship. Governments and corporations monitor online activity and collect data on users' preferences, which can be used to identify and target queer individuals. Even apps designed for dating and hookups, like Grindr and Tinder, have come under fire for sharing user data with third-party companies without consent. Meanwhile, virtual reality and augmented reality technology could be used to create even more immersive and interactive spaces for queer expression, but these spaces would need to be carefully curated to avoid being censored or shut down.
Socially speaking, censorship has long been justified by traditionalist values and religious beliefs. In many cultures, homosexuality is seen as deviant or immoral, leading to widespread discrimination and marginalization of queer people. This has led to the development of countercultural movements that challenge these norms and promote acceptance and tolerance. Activism, protests, and boycotts have all played a role in challenging societal prejudice and raising awareness of queer issues.
Such tactics can only go so far when faced with structural and technological barriers.
To resist, circumvent, and transform these mechanisms, queer networks and alternative media infrastructures will need to develop new strategies and tools.
Decentralized platforms that prioritize privacy and security could provide safer spaces for queer expression. Anonymous messaging services, secure browsers, and encrypted chat rooms are already making this possible.
Creative solutions like queer coding could be developed to subvert content filtering algorithms and increase visibility online.
Cultural shifts toward greater acceptance and understanding will play an important role in changing attitudes towards queerness and queer expression. By working together to address both structural, technological, and social factors, we can build more inclusive and equitable communities where queer voices are heard and celebrated.
What are the structural, technological, and social mechanisms underlying queer censorship, and how might future queer networks and alternative media infrastructures resist, circumvent, and transform these mechanisms?
Queer censorship refers to the suppression of queer identities, experiences, expressions, and political activism through various means such as legal sanctions, cultural norms, and market forces. These censorship practices have been historically used by dominant social groups, including heterosexual, white, able-bodied people, to maintain their power and privilege over marginalized communities.