This Pride month, we’re celebrating the LGBTQ+ communities who are shaping culture and influencing how gender identity is expressed across our technologies.
Elevating the LGBTQ+ Community in Immersive Experiences
Later this month, we will be exploring the future of LGBTQ+ chosen family and community safety in immersive spaces as part of the Metaverse Culture Series. We’re building out a custom experience in Horizon Worlds, while hosting a candid conversation with an exclusive group of community leaders as we build towards a more equitable metaverse.
On Meta Quest, check out the newest episode of Weird Times , which explores the experience of coming out as teen in the current political climate when LGBTQ+ rights are under attack.
In Horizon Venues, you can watch “March for Dignity” on June 2, a documentary that follows a small group of LGBTQ+ activists in Tbilisi, Georgia as they attempt to conduct the first Pride march in the country.
In Horizon Worlds, we collaborated with Mastercard and LGBTQIA+ world creators RhondaX and SKitter_ to launch Mastercard’s True Self World, an ongoing virtual space in a canopy set high above the clouds. In this space, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies can meet and share their stories, visit an immersive museum of letters, celebrate on the dance floor and more. True Self World is available for Meta Quest 2 users in the US and Canada to explore starting June 21. (Updated on June 21, 2022 at 9:15AM PT to reflect updated programming.)
Launching New Expression Tools and Resources for LGBTQ+ People
Starting today, you can use Pride-themed avatars and stickers in Feed and on Stories on Facebook and Messenger. They will be available year-round.
We’re rolling out camera stickers on Instagram, designed in partnership with queer, Brooklyn-based artist and creator Shanée Benjamin. Also on Messenger, you can use custom word effects with our Pride Chat theme, plus check out additional camera stickers releasing later this month from London-based, non-binary artist and creator Wednesday Holmes (they/them).
And, we’re launching an exclusive new AR Effect in partnership with Broadway’s Tony Award-nominee & Pulitzer Prize-winner A Strange Loop. The AR effect “Show Your Skills” guides fans through the audition process with fun twists and prompts aimed to bring out your inner star. You can use this effect on Reels, Stories and feed posts.
In the Philippines, we’re launching a Pride AR Filter on Instagram in partnership with queer artist Brent Sabas and Meta Spark Spark AR creator Mitsuko Ono. (Updated on June 21, 2022 at 9:00AM PT to reflect updated programming.)
This month, we’re introducing our LGBTQ+ Safety Center Hub on Facebook to provide easy access to resources that can help the community feel safe. In the hub, you’ll find a range of safety features, including guides to improve account security, tools to prevent bullying and harassment and details on how to report harmful content.
Amplifying LGBTQ+ Creators and Community Change Makers Worldwide
On June 21, we’re hosting an in-person Pride Skate Day with queer skater Briana King featuring emerging and established LGBTQ+ skate creators at the intersection of sports, fashion and culture. Alongside invited press, public figures, food vendors/trucks and content activations, we’ll acknowledge and celebrate the LGBTQ+ youth community through an established holiday for the skate community.
On Facebook, we’re highlighting how the LGBTQ+ community uses Facebook Groups to find a sense of belonging in a portrait series entitled “My Chosen Family,” featuring diverse, intersectional communities where people have found connection, such as Thailand’s Young Pride Club and Philippines’ Queer Safe Spaces. (Updated on June 21, 2022 at 9:15AM PT to reflect updated programming.)
The LGBTQ+ community using our technologies spans worldwide. In Brazil, we’re renewing the bi-weekly video series #OrgulhoFamília (#FamilyPride in English) on June 28. The series tells the stories of LGBTQ+ love and how non-biological family can be chosen for people seeking community. We will also be hosting Pride Gaming in Brazil, an event on June 12th that will bring together over 30 gaming creators to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and live broadcast 3-hours of content on Facebook Gaming Pages, You can watch the live broadcast on Facebook Gaming. In Thailand, we are hosting Pride Life, a variety show with Facebook Gaming creators such as Roger Films Studio, Rilinnz, InxTpx and many more to celebrate their authentic selves through fun activities and gaming sessions. Updated on June 21, 2022 at 9:15AM PT to reflect updated programming.)
Supporting LGBTQ+ Business Owners
We’re amplifying LGBTQ+ owned SMBs across all of our technologies to help grow their community through education and connection.
During the first week of June, we’re publishing the Global LGBTQ+ Cultural Guide as a resource designed to educate and inspire authentic ways to support the LGBTQ+ community.
And on @instagramforbusiness, we’re hosting a #shopwithPride Live Shopping event later this month, focused on highlighting AAPI LGBTQ+ SMBs.
In the Philippines and Thailand, we’re launching #MakeItWithPride, a social media campaign which shines a light on LGBTQ+ owned SMBs across different industries and celebrates the dynamic people across the community who are shaping the future of culture and gender expression. (Updated on June 21, 2022 at 9:15AM PT to reflect updated programming.)
