Social Media and Censorship

 

    This week I attended Pride Nite at Disneyland and my heart was so full I couldn't stop smiling. I had never been in such a loving, supportive, and safe environment while at such a big event. The next day I was so excited about it I wrote a post on my Instagram. I cannot remember the entire thing but below is the majority of what I said:

I went to Disneyland for Pride Nite and my heart is so full. It was a night of love, acceptance, and safety.

TW homophobia:

I live in California, but as a queer person I've been told I'm going to go to hell for who I am. I've been yelled at for working to create inclusion in my town. I've been recognized by people I don't know (they knew my last name) and stared down. There's a Facebook group that's been created in my town to keep people "safe" from the LGBTQ community.

This is why spaces like Disney Pride Nite are necessary, this is why we must continue to fight for human rights.

    Two minutes after posting this with pictures from Disneyland I was told that I had violated the IG community guidelines, that my account was suspended and up for deletion. I submitted an appeal and the next morning was told that my account was reviewed, found to be in violation of IG rules, and had been deleted. I had worked for months to gather 2,300 followers, and had created over 50 posts, everything was gone. 

    With the support of my wonderful book community I created a new account and prepared to start over. Within 4 hours of creating my new account I received a message that I had broken IG rules by using an illegal follower generator (which I had not) and that if I did not stop my account would be frozen. I wrote to them explaining that all of my followers were real and organic, and I had not used a service. They ignored my message and an hour later froze my account and claimed I was still using an illegal service. I once again tried to complain but received no response. My IG account is now frozen until 6/22 and has made me decide to push my publication date back, as my main connection with my fans is on IG. 

    As horrible as this all is none of it surprised me. I have known numerous BIPOC, disabled, and queer creators that have had this exact thing happen to them. The truth is, losing my followers and content isn't actually what upset me the most, what upset me is that I've lived my whole life enduring racism, homophobia, and ableism and it just doesn't let up. 

    On top of that it made me think about all of the anti-lgbtqia+ laws that are going into effect. I got a social media page taken down (it really isn't the end of the world for me), but there are people literally fighting for their lives and right to exist right now because they are queer. All of this made my anxiety and depression rear it's ugly head, and I spent the day auditory stimming in order to try and regulate myself.

    Please be aware that no social media space is safe for creators that don't fall within main stream expectations. People keep asking how they can do that and it's simple, their platform, their rules. I don't live in the same world as creators that are white, straight, and neurotypical. As uncomfortable as it is for people to hear that it's the truth. Once again I will pick myself up, dust off, and keep going. I've done it my whole life, I'll keep on doing it, and it's a perfect example of why books like mine are crucial and necessary. Yes, it's a vampire romance BUT it's a romance with all queer, BIPOC, ND main characters, in a genre that isn't known for this kind of representation. 

Finally, as hurt and angry as I am I never leave a situation without solutions, so here they are:

1. Even though my IG could get taken down at any time please follow me there. I will be sharing community, and personal aid opportunities so that we can help anyone in the lgbtqia+ community that needs it. Just yesterday I shared a fundraiser for a queer artists that is trying to move to a safer place. I always remind people that even a few dollars help. If everyone that followed me gave $5 that would be over $500! So stop giving to giant corporations, and start looking for small orgs and real people to donate to.

2. Plese sign-up for my newsletter if you haven't already. IG is not a safe space for creators such as myself and I can lose it all again. If you follow my newsletter you will get updates about my book, and awesome sneak peeks! Click this link and enter your e-mail, I promise not to spam: https://mailchi.mp/3dcb954667ee/aura-marquez-newsletter

Also, feel free to share my website and newsletter sign-up with anyone that you think would love what I have to say, and my upcoming book.

    I want to thank you so much for being here. This book is a dream come true for me, and all of your love and support has meant the world. Despite all the crap that is out there, knowing that there are so many wonderful, caring people in this world always makes me feel like there are more of us than them. One day we will have the type of world we keep fighting for. 

Love, Aura