As Pride Month kicks off, TikTok has joined in the celebration of LGBTQ identities, history, and communities in its own way: shouting out a select bunch of LGBTQ+ creators and small business owners who the platform says have helped “build connection and community” on the app.
TikTok’s first-ever LGBTQ+ Visionary Voices list is accompanied by new platform-wide initiatives, and company commitment to protecting its LGBTQ users, known as the “You Belong Here” campaign.
“As a platform that thrives to inspire creativity and bring joy, TikTok has been powered by the contributions of our incredible LGBTQIA+ community who inspire millions through their creativity, passion, and advocacy. In honor of Pride Month, we are celebrating and recognizing the collective visibility and impact of our LGBTQIA+ community by introducing our 2023 LGBTQ+ Visionary Voices list and Pride campaign, You Belong Here,” the platform wrote in its announcement.
The app will launch its #ForYourPride hashtag and hub, with TikTok LIVE events and other programming with creators and LGBTQIA+ owned businesses including @lovewithpride, @rainbowcertified, @everywhereisqueer, @icedabove, @milky.tomato, @musiccitycreative, @thegrowinggroves, @queerency, @verygaypaint and nongovernmental organizations like @itgetsbetter, @translifeline, @humanrightscampaign, @gamergworls, @glaad, @pride_site, and @lgbtq.
Other highlights include a #PrideAnthems activation on the app’s Sounds page, which will feature special music guests like Grammy winner @samsmith, rapper @villanoantillano, country music duo @brothersosborne, singer-songwriter @fletcher, singer-producer @victoriamonet and more, as well as curated playlists.
The platform will also host webinars and in-person events, like the TikTok Pride Creator Ball celebration in Los Angeles, California.
While the “You Belong Here” campaign and TikTok’s Pride Month efforts acknowledge the need for protections and safeguards to keep LGBTQ creators safe, the app’s ecosystem has created an easily permeable division between safe space for LGBTQ users to explore their stories and find community, and hateful content and interactions — like many other spaces online.
Accounts like the infamous Libs of TikTok have built a following spreading misinformation and doxxing fellow creators. Popular trans and nonbinary creators like Dylan Mulvaney, James Rose, and Jeffrey Marsh have become figureheads of anti-LGBTQ tirades, bearing the brunt of campaigns against their images and messages. Broadly, LGBTQ creators on TikTok still have to contend with the app’s frustratingly confusing moderation policies.
“We believe that people should be able to connect with one another, express themselves authentically, and thrive on the platform,” TikTok wrote. “And we know that fostering an inclusive space requires prioritizing the needs of our community. We strive to protect our LGBTQIA+ community on TikTok by taking action, including removal, on content and accounts that engage in harassment, bullying, hate speech, and hateful behavior, such as deadnaming or misgendering — as explained in our Community Guidelines. We also empower people to create the best TikTok experience for themselves by providing a range of safety features, such as confidential ways to report potentially violative content and accounts, comment filtering tools and privacy settings to choose who can engage with their content.
“Honored and humbled to be part of our community’s path to Pride, we will continually look for ways to build an inspiring and inclusive platform for all voices.”
The full Visionary Voices list can be found below.
Creators
Devin Halbal (@hal.baddie), a trans social media icon, lifestyle and travel vlogger, and meme queen.
Jae Gurley (@jaegurley), a nonbinary performer recognized for their “Bougie B” lifestyle content and personal storytelling.
Mercury Stardust (@mercurystardust), a professional home maintenance technician, performer, and award-winning activist known as the app’s “Trans Handy Ma’am.”
Jake Shane (@octopusslover8), a comedian and content creator who gained a following for his PSAs and Gen Z reimaginings of significant historical events.
Am and Noey Zletnis (@thezletnis), a queer sister duo who post about self-expression, inclusive fashion, and LGBTQ+ advocacy.
Industry Disruptors
Saucy Santana (@saucysantana), a recognized artist and performer known for TikTok-popular hits like “Walk Em Like A Dog” and “Material Girl.”
Tate Farris (@imbabytate), a multi-genre artist whose discography has become viral on TikTok with sounds like the confidence-boosting “I Am,” the playful “Hey, Mickey!,” and her feature on Ashnikko’s massive single “Stupid.”
Mick, Robert, Jessay, and Bill (@oldgays), the minds behind humorous The Old Gays account, known for their trendy and heartwarming videos.
Jonathan Kung (@jonkung), a chef and creator with a mission to teach others how to combine their cultures and personalities in their food.
Andre Isaacs (@drdre4000), an associate professor of chemistry who uses his platform to challenge stereotypes of the STEM community through dances, skits, and educational content with his diverse student lab staff.
Small-Owned Businesses
Jodyann Morgan (@ctoan.co), the Black, queer candle business owner of CTOAN Co.
Eunice Straight Head (@n00nice), an Indigenous artist (Mnicouju Lakota, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe) who combines photography with fashion, cosplay, beading, sewing, and Indigenous representation.
David Yi (@goodlight.world), a journalist and Korean American co-founder of the gender-inclusive beauty brand Good Light Cosmetics.
Jack and Bec (@jackandbec), sisters, illustrators, designers, and makers, who create art centered around body positivity, deaf pride, LGBTQIA+ pride, mental health awareness, and social justice.
Nicholas Scheppard and Jenson Titus (@verygaypaint), comedians-turned-painters and owners of Very Gay Paint, a muralist company centered around their own queerness and colorful designs.
