Arts & Entertainment
YouTubers outraged over LGBT censorship on ‘restricted mode’
the filter is meant to remove mature content from searches
(Rowan Ellis. Screenshot via YouTube.)
YouTube has apologized for censoring LGBT content under the digital platform’s “restricted mode” after an outcry from the YouTube community that the censorship is confusing and harmful.
“LGBTQ+ videos are available in Restricted Mode, but videos that discuss more sensitive issues may not be,” YouTube said in a statement posted on Twitter. “We regret any confusion this has caused and are looking into your concerns.”
A message to our community … pic.twitter.com/oHNiiI7CVs
— YouTube Creators (@YTCreators) March 20, 2017
Restricted mode filters out “potentially objectionable content” from YouTube searches but content creators are claiming their videos are being removed for simply containing LGBT material.
Hi @TeamYouTube! We are an LGBTQ+ channel *for children* and our videos on gender are blocked in restricted mode. This is not ok.
— Queer Kid Stuff (@queerkidstuff) March 17, 2017
still not fixed. one of my recent videos “8 Black LGBTQ+ Trailblazers Who Inspire Me” is blocked because of this. i’m perplexed, @YouTube. https://t.co/MrGBmPum1a
— Tyler Oakley (@tyleroakley) March 19, 2017
until we hear back from @youtube, please actively check on all LGBTQ+ creators you’re subscribed to & continue to support their content.
— Tyler Oakley (@tyleroakley) March 19, 2017
Hey, @Youtube! These videos of mine are age restricted.
It seems that any time I talk about things related to my identity, it gets flagged. pic.twitter.com/hSrAnCkvYg
— Jeff Miller (@JeffAMiller17) March 16, 2017
ALL 3 OF MY RECENT VIDEOS (ABOUT ME BEING TRANS) ARE GONE AFTER YOU TURN ON HE AGE RESTRICTION FILTER I’M SO UPSET. ? https://t.co/IpVnL7zfph
— Seaine (@SeaineLove) March 17, 2017
YouTuber Rowan Ellis addressed the issue in her video titled “YouTube is Anti – LGBT? (Restricted Content Mode)” saying that 40 of her videos are removed on restriction mode.
“One of the main issues around this is that queer youth cannot get support. YouTube is one of the only places that queer and trans youth, gay youth, bisexual youth, pansexual youth, asexual youth, any of these kids, have a way into community, have a way into knowledge, have a way into feeling like they aren’t alone,” Ellis says. “If you’re genuinely someone who wants to protect children, this is not the way to go about it.”
Celebrity News
Madonna announces release date for new album
‘Confessions II’ marks return to the dance floor
Pop icon Madonna on Wednesday announced that her 15th studio album will be released on July 3.
Titled “Confessions II,” the new album is a sequel to 2005’s “Confessions on a Dance Floor,” an Abba and disco-infused hit.
The new album reunites Madonna with producer Stuart Price, who also helmed the original “Confessions” album. It’s her first album of new material since 2019’s “Madame X.”
“We must dance, celebrate, and pray with our bodies,” Madonna said in a press release. “These are things that we’ve been doing for thousands of years — they really are spiritual practices. After all, the dance floor is a ritualistic space. It’s a place where you connect — with your wounds, with your fragility. To rave is an art. It’s about pushing your limits and connecting to a community of like-minded people,” continued the statement. “Sound, light, and vibration reshape our perceptions. Pulling us into a trance-like state. The repetition of the bass, we don’t just hear it but we feel it. Altering our consciousness and dissolving ego and time.”
Denali (@denalifoxx) of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” performed at Pitchers DC on April 9 for the Thirst Trap Thursday drag show. Other performers included Cake Pop!, Brooke N Hymen, Stacy Monique-Max and Silver Ware Sidora.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Arts & Entertainment
In an act of artistic defiance, Baltimore Center Stage stays focused on DEI
‘Maybe it’s a triple-down’
By LESLIE GRAY STREETER | I’m always tickled when people complain about artists “going political.” The inherent nature of art, of creation and free expression, is political. This becomes obvious when entire governments try to threaten it out of existence, like in 2025, when the brand-new presidential administration demanded organizations halt so-called diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programming or risk federal funding.
Baltimore Center Stage’s response? A resounding and hearty “Nah.” A year later, they’re still doubling down on diversity.
“Maybe it’s a triple-down,” said Ken-Matt Martin, the theater’s producing director, chuckling.
The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
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