A new report from LGBTQ+ advocacy organisation GLAAD has raised alarm over what it describes as a worsening online environment for LGBTQ+ people across major social media platforms, with Meta, X and YouTube all receiving sharply reduced safety scores.
The findings come from GLAAD’s sixth annual Social Media Safety Index (SMSI), which evaluates how platforms protect LGBTQ+ users from hate speech, harassment, disinformation and privacy violations.
Historic Lows for Major Platforms
According to the report, nearly all major social media platforms saw their scores decline in 2026, reaching some of the lowest levels recorded since the index began. TikTok was the only platform to maintain its previous score.
Out of a possible 100 points, TikTok scored highest with 56, followed by Instagram with 41, Facebook with 40, Threads with 39, YouTube with 30, and X ranking last with just 29.
GLAAD said the declining scores reflect growing concerns around content moderation, transparency, workforce diversity, and protections for LGBTQ+ users.
Meta and YouTube Criticised Over Policy Changes
The report specifically criticised Meta and YouTube for maintaining controversial policy changes introduced in 2025 that LGBTQ+ advocates say have made online spaces more hostile, particularly for transgender and gender non-conforming people.
GLAAD highlighted Meta’s decision to weaken parts of its hateful conduct policies, remove protections for LGBTQ+ users, scale back diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes, and eliminate trans and nonbinary themes on Messenger.
YouTube also faced criticism for continuing to exclude gender identity from its hate speech protections.
GLAAD warned that these changes come at a time when transgender people are facing increasing political attacks and misinformation globally.
Concerns Over Real-World Harm
GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said social media companies are failing to prioritise the safety of LGBTQ+ users.
“Leading social media companies today do not meet basic best practices in content moderation, transparency, data privacy, and workforce diversity,” Ellis said.
She added that online abuse and disinformation have real-world consequences.
“The threats in your DMs, the disinformation fueling anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, and the bullying that leads to real-world violence are not just ‘part of the job.’ They are systemic failures that tech leaders have the tools to fix, yet they choose to profit from them instead.”
LGBTQ+ Voices and Content Still Suppressed
The report also raised concerns about the growing use of artificial intelligence in moderation systems, which it says often suppress LGBTQ+ content and disproportionately target queer creators and activists.
GLAAD further warned about privacy risks linked to companies using public user data to train generative AI systems.
The organisation stressed that social media remains an essential lifeline for many LGBTQ+ people, especially young users seeking community, information and support.
“Social media platforms are vitally important for LGBTQ+ people as spaces where we connect, learn, and find community,” the report stated. “While there are positive initiatives these companies have implemented to help support and protect their LGBTQ+ users, they simply must do more. Social media platforms should be safe for everyone, in all of who we are.”
