Facebook Faces The Wrath Of Drag Queens Over "Legal Name" Policy

Facebook has been getting a lot of heat from drag queens all over the world. This was brought about by the social networking site's policy to require "real" and "legal" names on their users' profiles. The company stands firm that using real names encourages "trust and accountability" amongst its users, and makes it easier for them to hold people responsible for malicious and offensive content.

image courtesy of venturebeat.com

This policy, however, does not suit well with the drag queens. "Sister Roma," a San Francisco drag personality, triggered the outrage when she was forced by Facebook to change her name to "Michael Williams." They now threatened to picket outside Facebook's office to protest.


Facebook's initial reaction: "If people want to use an alternative name on Facebook, they have several different options available to them, including providing an alias under their name on their profile, or creating a page specifically for that alternative persona."

Protesters, however, have a solid counter attack: "Although our names might not be our 'legal' birth names, they are still an integral part of our identities, both personally and to our communities. [Stage names] help protect their privacy and anonymity, with good reason. Victims of abuse, trans people, queer people who are not able to be safely 'out,' and performers alike need to be able to socialize, connect, and build communities on social media safely. By forcing us to use our 'real' names, it opens the door to harassment, abuse, and violence."

At this time, it seems that Facebook has opened its doors to a possible discussion and settlement:

There is currently a Change.org petition asking Facebook to allow the use of stage names for these performers. It can be viewed at this link.

image courtesy of pablogallaga.com

Rantings:

I can totally understand Facebook's policy on using real names. Social networking sites have been used as tools for anonymous bullying, harassment and crimes, and it is about time that they enforce additional security measures for the users' protection. Facebook needs to a safe place where users can freely connect without fear of being victimized by people with malicious intent.

Having said that, Facebook should also consider the need of some people to use aliases to promote their livelihood and protect their personal interests. As what was mentioned above, some people need to  hide behind the safety of makeup and fake names in order to survive. Expose them and they could get beaten up and bullied at every turn. Take this away from them, and you are just exposing them to further harm.

I sincerely hope that Facebook and the LGBTQ community reaches a mutually acceptable solution to this issue. I am pretty sure that there are a lot more options that can be presented other than forcing people to create fan page. As one of the drag queens said in an interview: "I detest the idea of having a Fan Page. I'm not fucking Britney Spears. I have friends, not fans."