Meta, the company led by Mark Zuckerberg, recently made the decision to remove transgender and non-binary themes from its Messenger app.
These colorful themes, inspired by Pride flags, were introduced to show support for the LGBTQ+ community. However, the removal of these themes has caused frustration among employees within the company.
The featured themes in Messenger allowed users to customize their chat’s appearance with vibrant colors and designs. These themes were created to celebrate and represent LGBTQ+ identities, and their sudden removal has disappointed many.

Many believe this decision reflects Meta’s shift toward tolerating hate speech and moving away from supporting diversity. Meanwhile, the Critics believe that Meta is focusing more on conservative views and less on being inclusive to everyone.
One of the most surprising changes is that comments that could be harmful to LGBTQ+ people are now allowed on Meta’s platform. For example, statements like “trans people are mentally ill” or “gays are not normal” are now permitted under the company’s new rules.
While Meta says it’s promoting free speech, many, including organizations like GLAAD, have expressed their concerns regarding the new updates. According to GLAAD, this change could open the door to harmful messages that negatively impact vulnerable communities.
“Meta and Mark Zuckerberg are now not only permitting and encouraging, but engaging in anti-LGBTQ hate speech … Meta is now an anti-LGBTQ company,” says the company’s president.

Inside Meta, these decisions haven’t gone over well with employees either. Some workers have taken leave to protest, while others have spoken up on internal forums. There’s a sense of disappointment and frustration among staff who care about protecting vulnerable users.
According to Business Insider, Meta’s Chief Marketing Officer, Alex Schultz, explained that the changes are meant to balance free speech and user safety. He also mentioned that banning harmful comments ultimately might push them to other platforms where they can’t be monitored.
However, many critics remain unconvinced and feel that Meta is putting free speech ahead of the safety of trans users.

Advocacy groups have also criticized Meta’s leadership for backing these policy changes. Joel Kaplan, the company’s global policy chief, defended the new updates by saying they reflect political and religious views.
At the same time, Mark Zuckerberg’s silence on the issue has only added to the frustration, leaving many questioning if the company’s leadership truly understands the harm this is causing.
For LGBTQ+ users, this isn’t just about losing a Messenger theme. It’s about feeling like their identities and voices no longer matter to one of the biggest tech platforms in the world.
Meta’s latest actions have left many questioning the company’s values. On social media, opinions are divided, with some supporting the changes and others strongly criticizing them.
“By removing trans and non-binary themes, Zuckerberg shows that Meta focuses on dividing not uniting,” someone wrote on X.
“Woke is dying, and “awakened” is rising,” said another.
“What’s the actual point though? Removing content from your app makes it worse,” someone viewed.
“Good delete more,” another penned.
“The Trump effect…” added another.
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Source: Business Insider