On a recent webisode of Tim & Roma LIVE!, drag queen and Facebook #MyNameIs torch bearer Sister Roma offered a bit of insight from behind the scenes of her recent (disappointing) meeting with Facebook brass over the “real name” requirements.
Here’s what she said:
Let’s just say we actually had a meeting with Facebook and the thing that really gave me hope was afterwards we met with members of the LGBT employees, and they hinted that people on the inside of Facebook are definitely — there’s some people on our side. Facebook is aware of this problem and they’ve had internal discussions about it, and we’re going to force them to address it. So there you go.
It would seem, though, there aren’t enough people within Facebook who are “on our side.” Roma has a protest planned for Thursday, October 2nd outside San Francisco City Hall to pressure the social network to rethink its policy.
The #MyNameIs protest, it should be noted, is being promoted on Facebook.
How about we take this to the next level?
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“Facebook is picking a fight with the wrong crowd: we know REALNESS isn’t the name we were given at birth, it’s the name we kiki with online and off! We invite EVERYONE to join us in a massive protest of this tired policy — everyone has a right to control their identity online!” reads part of the event description.
Facebook would do well to satisfy the reasonable demands of its users. In light of the “real name” issue and other mounting concerns over things like privacy and advertising clutter, many are choosing to deactivate their accounts altogether.
The new site Ello has received plenty of attention as a potential alternative to Facebook, though it has a long way to go before it can be considered a powerful competitor. Still, momentum is building and Facebook would be foolish not to be paying attention.
HighStrungLoner
I was with her until she said “kiki.”
ggreen
Isn’t Sister Roma free to legally to change her name to Sister Roma? Problem solved.
Billy Budd
LGBTs are like 5% of the population (my personal guess/approximation). The Ts alone are too little to make a difference. I am pessimistic about their chances of winning this war.
iggy6666
Look like a bunch of clowns…..
vive
@Billy Budd, this affects a huge number of gay and lesbian people also who cannot be safely “out” under their birth identity, on pain of losing jobs or suffering hate crimes.
Even many of us who ARE out want to use different accounts for interacting with our grandparents and our work acquaintances on the one hand and our friends on the other hand.
Charlie in Charge
There are a thousand reasons to want to be known by a name other than the one given to you at birth; if Facebook’s advertisers are that interested in our legal names then perhaps they are missing an opportunity to engage with us as we are.
Alan down in Florida
Why can’t Facebook request and store birth information and then list the chosen name as AKA Chosen Name? That way individuals can use the identity they choose and allow people to know it is not a given name. Or is there something I’m missing?
Brian
Queerty is sensationalizing this non-story. Drag queens can use their drag names just like any other entertainer/business/company. Stop reporting about this. You’re either intentionally lying to your readers or you’re just plain dumb.
Robert
Go Roma!! Love you!!!