Great LGBTQ YouTubers You Need To Know About To Fight YouTube's Restricted Mode

Fight back against YouTube's dumb new Restricted Mode by checking out these LGBTQ creators. See 'em all at MTV.co.uk.

Monday, March 20, 2017 - 13:59

If you happen to be into the wonderful world of YouTube, you may have seen this weekend that creators from all corners have been kicking off over the website’s new Restricted Mode – and their outrage comes with good reason.

A whole load of YouTubers have claimed that the platform has been censoring their videos, with what seems to be a particularly hard emphasis on hiding any videos with LGBTQ+ related content in the title, tags or thumbnail.

According to the site, YouTube’s ‘restricted mode’ is designed to let viewers avoid “potentially objectionable content”, but creators are furious that the filter seems to consider pro-LGBTQ+ content, that could be hugely inspiring, educational, helpful and comforting, as coming under this category. Not cool.

For example, Tyler Oakley has revealed that his “8 lack LGBTQ+ Trailblazers Who Inspire Me” is blocked in restricted mode, while SeaineLove’s videos about being trans are also hidden, and Troye Sivan’s ENTIRE channel is blocked from view. Wow.

Luckily, some of the biggest names in the business are being suitably vocal about their opinion on the whole thing.

Melanie Murphy accused the filter of making her “appear straight”.

With the click of a button YouTube's restricted mode makes me appear straight. Even when you dig/type in my name + bisexuality, this happens pic.twitter.com/JKbivanJdS
— Melanie 💚 Murphy (@melaniietweets) March 19, 2017

Emma Blackery pointed out that straight relationships seem to be totally fine, while LGBTQ+ ones aren’t accepted.

Happy to see it addressed, but if you actively censor LGBTQ+ issues concerning relationships and not het/cis ones, you're sending a message. https://t.co/V8w7GJAivq
— Emma Blackery (@emmablackery) March 20, 2017

Jenna Marbles argued that the whole system has just been designed to be more ad-friendly.

By users you mean advertisers right? Be transparent with us dad we'll take note of who advertises on restricted mode and not buy their shit
— Jenna Marbles (@Jenna_Marbles) March 20, 2017

And Joey Graceffa was pretty gutted to see the changes that have been introduced.

So upset about the LGBTQ+ @youtube filter. Creators have worked to make this a platform of progression + inclusion. This isn't who WE are! 😕
— Joey Graceffa (@JoeyGraceffa) March 19, 2017

Seeing as this is all kinds of ridiculous and wrong, it seemed only right to give a shout out to just a handful of the hundreds of LGBTQ+ YouTube creators whose content should ABSOLUTELY be out there for young people to watch – no filter necessary.

Here’s XX awesome LGBTQ+ YouTubers you need to be watching to shove two fingers up to this Restricted Mode. YAS.