A gay content creator’s viral thread exposed YouTube’s casual acceptance of homophobia

A Bloomberg investigation of YouTube last April found that videos produced for an extreme, alt-right audience are just as popular as music, sports, and gaming on the platform. These channels allow for the rampant spread of misinformation, hate speech, and harassment. Carlos Maza, host of “Strikethrough” a Vox-produced YouTube show that explores the challenges facing…

By

Leo Shvedsky

Aug 25, 2019

Photo credit: Array – Array

A Bloomberg investigation of YouTube last April found that videos produced for an extreme, alt-right audience are just as popular as music, sports, and gaming on the platform.

These channels allow for the rampant spread of misinformation, hate speech, and harassment. Carlos Maza, host of “Strikethrough” a Vox-produced YouTube show that explores the challenges facing the news media in the age of Trump, perfectly illustrated the cycle of abuse in a recent tweet thread.

Maza knows the cycle first-hand because he has been targeted by conservative YouTuber Steven Crowder who routinely refers to Maza by derogatory terms such as “anchor baby” and “lispy queer.”

Maza says that Crowder’s comments have resulted in a “a wall of homophobic [and] racist abuse on Instagram and Twitter.”

After repeatedly flagging Crowder’s YouTube videos and receiving zero response, Maza took to Twitter to vent his frustration.

So, I have pretty thick skin when it comes to online harassment, but something has been really bothering me.
— Carlos Maza (@gaywonk) May 31, 2019

Crowder responded to the investigation by condemning those who have harassed Maza. "I have always condemned and continue to discourage any and all forms of doxxing or targeted harassment of anyone online, ok?" he said in a video response.

But he defended calling him a "lispy queer" because "it's funny and this is a comedy show" and because Maza refers to himself as queer.

Crowder's defense is disingenuous because there's a big difference between using the term queer to refer to someone's sexual orientation versus using it as an insult. His defense is tougher to believe when he uses the term "fag" to disparage people.

Crowder also claimed that the investigation was a form of corporate censorship and an attempt by YouTube to please NBC, a Vox Media investor.

Maza responded to Crowder by calling his assertions "batshit."

The right-wing persecution complex is unbelievable.

Imagine spending two years calling a total stranger a "lispy queer" and then playing victim when he decides to do something about it.
— Carlos Maza (@gaywonk) June 3, 2019

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A gay content creator’s viral thread exposed YouTube’s casual acceptance of homophobia

A Bloomberg investigation of YouTube last April found that videos produced for an extreme, alt-right audience are just as popular as music, sports, and gaming on the platform.

After repeatedly flagging Crowder’s YouTube videos and receiving zero response, Maza took to Twitter to vent his frustration.

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A gay content creator’s viral thread exposed YouTube’s casual acceptance of homophobia

A Bloomberg investigation of YouTube last April found that videos produced for an extreme, alt-right audience are just as popular as music, sports, and gaming on the platform.

After repeatedly flagging Crowder’s YouTube videos and receiving zero response, Maza took to Twitter to vent his frustration.

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Teacher lets kindergarteners choose their name for a day. Their choices are delightfully unhinged.

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Featured

Culture expert reveals historic reason why so many women in old movies got tied to railroad tracks

The artwork you saw in every ’80s and ’90s classroom came from 2 badass elementary teachers

People who think out loud have a distinct advantage when it comes to making smart decisions

A Memphis restaurant banned all customers under 30 and locals are cheering the decision