The Hollywood Reporter publicized that Yahoo! has "teamed up" with the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) to monitor "hateful and violent" comments on their many online platforms. GLAAD reported finding comments violating Yahoo's terms of service under an interview with the gay singer Adam Lambert. (There is presently NO space to comment on Adam Lambert posts here. Or here. Or here. But if you hate Simon Cowell, comment here. There are 1,059 comments.)
Allison Palmer, GLAAD's Director of Digital Initiatives, issued a statement commending Yahoo! for addressing the issue quickly and highlighting its continued pledge to address anti-LGBT comments across all of its platforms. "Young music fans should be able to interact and comment on sites without seeing violent, hateful comments directed at LGBT people," Palmer said. But wait -- does that mean all "anti-LGBT comments" get scrubbed? Or all comments?
There is nothing wrong with taking down comments wishing violence on gay people. Censor away. But would GLAAD also like to take down comments suggesting homosexuality is wrong? Anyone who follows them would strongly suspect that when companies like Yahoo! bow to GLAAD pressure, it's not just about eliminating violent comments, but all "anti-LGBT comments."
Could one suggest song titles like "Naked Love" are too risque for kids? This might even include comments suggesting a performer like Lambert is a screechy, egotistical hack -- in other words, the kind of commentary Simon Cowell gets for canning Paula Abdul.
