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

Add to Google News

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.

Tags

More for You

Project designers cheer as cameras capture first mule deer crossing new California wildlife bridge

After 20 years in practice, a psychologist found ‘Practical Optimism’ is key to happiness

Texas firefighter battling terminal pancreatic cancer has final mission to find his wife a kidney donor

Sharon Stone shares ex-husband’s heartbreaking reaction to her mastectomy, prompting a flood of similar stories

What did ancient humans do all day before ‘work’ was invented? It wasn’t all about survival.

Featured

Grandma was told she had stage 4 cancer. One surgeon’s hunch revealed something else entirely.

4-year-old’s emotional intelligence is off the charts, and people are giving kudos to his mom

There’s a new personality type called the ‘otrovert’ and one major trait sets it apart

Exhausted mom quits doing any household chores and shares what happened after just 3 days

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.

Tags

More for You

Project designers cheer as cameras capture first mule deer crossing new California wildlife bridge

After 20 years in practice, a psychologist found ‘Practical Optimism’ is key to happiness

Texas firefighter battling terminal pancreatic cancer has final mission to find his wife a kidney donor

Sharon Stone shares ex-husband’s heartbreaking reaction to her mastectomy, prompting a flood of similar stories

What did ancient humans do all day before ‘work’ was invented? It wasn’t all about survival.

Get stories worth sharing delivered to your inbox.

Featured

Grandma was told she had stage 4 cancer. One surgeon’s hunch revealed something else entirely.

4-year-old’s emotional intelligence is off the charts, and people are giving kudos to his mom

There’s a new personality type called the ‘otrovert’ and one major trait sets it apart

Exhausted mom quits doing any household chores and shares what happened after just 3 days