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

People from Generation Jones explain their major cultural differences with Boomers

Little girl entered a talent show without telling her mom, and the crowd was here for it

People born between 1970 and ’85 are trading Gen X and Millennial labels for ‘Gen Goonie’

Americans share 15 of the coolest things they’ve seen overseas that they want here. Like, now.

‘Reacher’ actor Alan Ritchson leaves fans stunned by hotel room rendition of Michael Jackson’s ‘Human Nature’

Featured

New Orleans drops old Christmas trees into wetlands by helicopter. They’re helping rebuild the marsh.

Communication expert explains why people should stop asking ‘does that make sense?’

A mapmaker split the U.S. randomly into 6 parts and asked people to choose. The arguments for each are fascinating.

A random woman on the subway went toe-to-toe with Conan O’Brien. Her quick wit had him belly-laughing.