Over the years I’ve seen and reported a bunch of shit on Fessebouc and Instagram that they’ve refused to do anything about cos their “community standards” are shit, so the Graun reporting that Meta have taken money for ads from the Australian Christian Lobby, Advance Australia and Family First Australia is kind of revolting but not even remotely surprising. The fact that they’ve got a corporate float in the Sydney Mardi Gras tomorrow, on the other hand…
Albert Kruger, CEO of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, was contacted for comment.
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has previously defended the involvement of corporations in the parade. Kruger said last week that corporate floats make up just 14% of the total floats and they were chosen carefully by the organisation.
“We choose partners who reflect the values held closely by the LGBTQIA+ community,” he said.“Mardi Gras partners have been loud advocates for the community, and their support has been pivotal in bringing about lasting social change, such as in their support for the Same Sex Marriage Post Survey just a couple of years ago.”
With all due respect, Albert, the organisation is clearly not choosing its corporate friends carefully. I have no interest whatsoever in Mardi Gras as such except when people I actually know have been in the march; I don’t identify as a member of the queer community so it’s pretty much irrelevant to me. But as an observer with lots of friends who do count themselves as such (at least one was a 78er, in fact), I get the criticism of Mardi Gras having become too commercialised. Corporate sponsorship is one thing, I’m just not sure giving them a parade float in return is the right thing… especially not when the corporation is running ads against the people MG is about. Regarding which…
A Meta spokesperson said the Australian ads were currently under review.
“At Meta, we want to make sure our platforms are a safe and inclusive space for the LGBTQIA+ community, and work hard to find the balance between allowing people freedom of voice, while ensuring we minimise harm,” the spokesperson said. “We’re reviewing these ads and will take appropriate action if they breach our policies.”
But apart from it being a bit late for that, obviously the ads didn’t breach your policies, cos the company accepted money to run them. Or if they did (and the way the article describes them makes me think they should’ve done, especially since one was apparently actively spreading misinformation), then the company just didn’t care. Neither of these alternatives makes Meta look good in this case. And even if Mardi Gras has been partners with them since 2016, it doesn’t make MG look great right now either…
