Advocate NL 9/22/26

Hello and Happy Tuesday, folks! Audience Editor Edgar Ramirez here, back in your inbox with another "what-has-Meta-done-now" story.As Dawn Ennis reports from our sister publication Out, a months-long struggle by queer nightclubs across Los Angeles — as well as one historic venue in San Francisco — to regain access to Meta's social media platforms is finally over. But critical questions remain unanswered.Like, why did the powers that control pages on Facebook and Instagram take down the pages of Club Cobra, Club Chico, Catch One, Club Tempo, The Stud and that of an L.A. promoter of a transgender-focused club night in the first place?Club owner Marty Sokol told the Los Angeles Times the Instagram page for Club Cobra vanished on New Year's Day, and the one for his other space, Club Chico, disappeared in May, without a warning or an explanation.But that wasn't the worst part for Sokol, Dawn writes. Check out the full story here.Unfortunately, this story doesn't come as much of a surprise to many in the LGBTQ+ community. Just a few months ago, Jacob Ogles reported that Meta had to defend itself against claims of overzealous censorship of LGBTQ+ and sexual health-related content on its platforms.The company back then faced renewed criticism after Instagram banned the account of sex toy retailer Bellesa Boutique, the latest in a string of controversies involving the moderation of queer and sexual wellness content.Not to mention these stories from Christopher Wiggins about Meta mishandling lesbian content and how social media platforms like Meta are failing LGBTQ+ users — and in some cases, actively endangering them.Stay safe out there folks, we'll be back in your inbox tomorrow.'Looksmaxxing' influencer Clavicular charged with rape and drugging a person for sexWe have to talk: Reporting is not the same thing as 'platforming'Jack Haven needs work ASAP to qualify for health insurance: 'I will do, pretty much any job'Gay adult star Alfonso Osnaya 'beat up' after attack