Massachusetts anti-censorship LGBTQ coalition deliver petition to Markey and Warren, demanding Congress stand up for their free expression and resources online

A letter to Congress from local Massachusetts organizations on why they oppose these internet censorship bills and the full list of signatories can be found here. The coalition is pushing emails and calls to Congress through QueersAgainstCensorship.com and badinternetbills.com.

BOSTON, MA — On Monday, a coalition of LGBTQ organizations and local queer activists hand delivered thousands of signatures from Massachusetts residents and a joint letter against a list of internet censorship bills being considered by Congress to the district offices of Senators Markey and Warren. The bills that these local organizations are fighting back against would censor beleaguered online LGBTQ communities that depend on online outreach to reach their communities and already face increased content takedown and suppression on social media.

See photos/videos here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nhTczzoYkdwoR0we-PrJ4__SRMzNN22q?usp=sharing

This petition delivery comes in the wake of a community event kicking off their “Queers Against Censorship” campaign, where local LGBTQ organizations rallied against the harm that Congressional legislation like the Kids Online Safety, online ID checks mandates, and calls to sunset Section 230 poses to queer and trans people, especially when gender-affirming healthcare and trans kids are attack every day from the US government. This was closely followed by a letter to the Massachusetts congressional delegation detailing their opposition, demanding that their representatives stand against these bills, and providing common sense alternatives to censoring life-saving resources.

As the letter states, “We do agree with efforts to hold Big Tech accountable, including bills championed by Massachusetts lawmakers like last Congress’s Algorithmic Justice and Transparency Act, the Safe Sex Worker Study Act, the Ban Surveillance Advertising Act, the Open App Markets Act, the American Innovation and Choice Online Act, and the My Body My Data Act. These bills represent efforts that are more carefully targeted to avoid both unintended consequences as well as the intentional erosion of the rights of marginalized communities by the far right.”

Despite Senator Warren’s proclaimed commitment to protect LGBTQ communities, Warren was a co-sponsor of KOSA during last Congressional session, even in the midst of widespread opposition from queer and trans young people, civil rights groups, the ACLU, and LGBTQ organizations across the country. Senator Markey has previously expressed concern about the harms of KOSA, but then voted to advance the legislation in the Senate last year. Local residents holding “Queers Against Censorship” signs visited these offices today demanding more from both Markey and Warren.

Evan Greer (she/they), director of Fight for the Future, discussed the QueersAgainstCensorship.com campaign with Jim and Margery on Boston Public Radio and called on Senators Markey and Warren to oppose dangerous censorship legislation like the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA).

“It’s not okay for Massachusetts lawmakers to say they support our community, show up at Pride to make speeches and dance around in feather boas, and then turn around and vote for dangerous censorship legislation that helps the Trump administration carry out its assault on trans and queer people,” said Evan Greer (she/her), director of Fight for the Future. “Bills like KOSA were always dangerous, but in the current environment where Trump is weaponizing government agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to try to erase trans existence and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to suppress any speech he doesn’t like. It’s outrageous that our elected officials here in MA aren’t vocally opposing these legislative attacks on our rights and safety.”

The Trump FTC, which KOSA would empower to dictate what content young people can see on social media, recently held a “workshop” explicitly targeting providers of health care for transgender youth. The Freedom of the Press Foundation explained more about why bills like KOSA are so dangerous in a recent Boston Globe op-ed.

“There are more effective ways to hold Big Tech accountable, including ensuring transparency in algorithms, embedding humanity and intersectionality in their earliest stages of evaluation, and addressing the lack of diversity and class consciousness in the AI sector,” said Muhammad Burhan, computer scientist and founder of Intersection Innovation and Impact Labs. “Censoring marginalized voices, who are often the most affected by online hate, is a form of gaslighting. It does not create safety or protect communities; it merely reinforces control over the fundamental freedom to exist, particularly for those who depend on online spaces for connection and belonging.”

“HELP by AMG is a local nonprofit in Boston aimed at supporting marginalized communities receive necessary services such as free clothing as our pop up closets and customized backpacks with the things they need, leaving out the things they don’t, as well as throwing free events to uplift local artists, music, spaces and organizations for all the enjoy. HELP stands for Helping Everyone Live Prosperously, especially LGBTQ Youth, BIPOC, and those experiencing instability in housing. We could be at risk of censorship simply for advocating for marginalized communities, and that hurts everyone. It cuts off access to those who need new clothing for a dance, job interview, or to rebuild their closet. Censorship means that youth of color won’t be able to get hair products they need,” said Zarie, leadership team at HELP by AMG. “Those experiencing homelessness will go without hygiene items and clothing for the changing seasons. One who is searching for LGBTQ affirming services means someone needs support and community. Without the Internet or social media, many young people would have gone without. This isn’t protecting youth, it’s harming them, limiting their access, and putting organizations at risk simply for wanting to be a helping hand for all. We oppose the digital censorship of the LGBTQ community and all other marginalized communities. Our work at HELP by AMG with youth stems from our own experiences of being without at that age, and we’ve vowed never to let that happen again, whenever possible. Keep access open for all who need it and oppose the censorship of the LGBTQ community doing necessary community work for all.”

“In recent weeks, the ideas of safety and censorship have taken on a truly terrifying power. In Michigan, they are moving to ban any depiction or description of trans people on the internet. We are seeing journalists lose their jobs and livelihood for accurately quoting people,” said Sister Brother Freddie Anne Willing Abbess of the Boston Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence said. “These are not acts of safety. They are attacks on free speech. They are attacks on reality. We cannot stand idly by and allow both our past and present to be erased. The work of this coalition is important to me,  as its essential work is crucial to my continued existence.”

The coalition is continuing their advocacy work against these bills and pushing emails and calls to Congress through QueersAgainstCensorship.com.

Please contact press@fightforthefuture.org for any inquiries.