Meta has recently faced backlash for removing nonbinary and transgender-themed color schemes from its Messenger app.
These changes, reported by 404 Media, have raised questions about the company’s apparent shift toward aligning with conservative ideologies, especially as the Trump administration prepares to take office.
Messenger’s customizable themes have long allowed users to personalize their chats with designs inspired by pop culture and social themes, such as “Squid Game,” “Minecraft,” and “Love.” Until recently, these options also included a “trans” theme and a “nonbinary” theme, introduced in celebration of Pride Month in 2021 and 2022.
The designs featured the colors of the transgender and nonbinary pride flags, symbolizing Meta’s public support for LGBTQ+ communities.
However, both themes were quietly removed, and the blog posts announcing their launch are no longer available. While other Messenger updates have been archived on Meta’s newsroom website, these specific posts appear to have been excluded from the migration.
Meta has yet to comment
Meta has not yet commented on why these themes were removed, but the timing has led to speculation that the company is pivoting to appeal to conservative audiences.
As reported by 404 Media, internal protests against the new policies suggest significant unrest within the organization, with employees grappling with the broader implications of Meta’s decisions.
This move represents a marked departure from the public-facing inclusivity Meta has championed in recent years, raising concerns among LGBTQ+ advocates about the company’s evolving stance.
