LGBTQ suicide prevention org the Trevor Project is leaving Elon Musk's X for good

[Eugene]

Source: Tech Crunch

LGBTQ suicide prevention org the Trevor Project is leaving Elon Musk’s X for good

Taylor Hatmaker@tayhatmaker / 12:04 PM EST•November 9, 2023

One of the most prominent LGBTQ organizations in the U.S. will close its account on X, formerly Twitter.

The Trevor Project announced Thursday that it has decided to end its presence on the platform in light of “increasing hate and vitriol” targeting the queer community on X, which Elon Musk purchased one year ago. The organization is focused on suicide prevention and provides 24/7 counseling for young LGBTQ people struggling with mental health challenges.

The group noted that X’s diminished commitment to moderation informed the decision, contributing to an environment that is “no longer a safe place for LGBTQ young people — the group we exist to serve.”

“While the conversation around the benefits and harms of social media platforms is vast and nuanced, we do know that sophisticated moderation tools are essential to protecting marginalized communities and creating safer, more accepting online spaces,” a Trevor Project spokesperson told TechCrunch.

-snip-

Read more: https://techcrunch.com/2023/11/09/trevor-project-leaves-x-twitter-lgbtq/

[NCIndie]

1. This is such a bummer. Seriously. Suicide prevention groups perform a great service.

The fact that the Trevor Project is leaving X speaks volumes.

[FreeState]

3. Trevor Project has had a tough year

People on the edge are literally having to wait absurd amounts of time to talk with someone.

https://www.washingtonblade.com/2023/08/10/trevor-project-crisis/

Her son looked at her and said, “They really don’t give a damn if I’m here or not.”

“I’ll never forget that as long as I live,” Coleman said, tearing up.

Her experience isn’t an anomaly. Josh Weaver, who was Trevor’s vice president of marketing until November 2022, said the average wait times to talk to a Trevor counselor are about three minutes. But during nights and weekends, they said, wait times often exceed 30 minutes. Another employee confirmed that wait times could stretch anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours during peak periods.

“That could be life or death,” Weaver said.

[70sEraVet]

2. With Twitter as his personal weapon, Musk is a serious threat to society.