Zuckerberg's Silent Treatment: Has Meta Abandoned the LGBTQ+ Community? Ripley Investigates

Houston We Have a Problem... of Silence

Alright people listen up. This is Ripley last survivor of the *Nostromo* (well one of them anyway) and I've seen some real horrors. Xenomorphs bursting out of chests? Child's play compared to corporate backpedaling. Seems Zuckerberg and Meta have gone quieter than a vacuum in space when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community. Suzanne Ford from SF Pride remembers when Zuck himself would call making sure Facebook had a spot at the parade. Now? Crickets. It’s like he's spotted a facehugger and run the other way. Don't these guys have PR people? Or are they all synthetic now?

From Pride Ally to Trump's Pal: A Facehugger of a Shift

Back in 2015 SF Pride was giving Facebook the side eye because of their 'real names' policy. LGBTQ+ folks were getting hosed by trolls exploiting the system. Facebook fixed it Zuck kissed and made up and all was well. Until it wasn't. Meta started scaling back diversity programs and easing up on content moderation. Sounds like a recipe for online abuse stew if you ask me. And get this: Zuck's been buddying up with ol' Donnie T. who's been sniffing around DEI initiatives like a xenomorph after fresh meat. Coincidence? I don't think so. As Bishop would say “That's interesting but what does it mean?”.

The Corporate Retreat: Game Over Man?

Meta's not the only one bailing on SF Pride. Anheuser Busch Comcast Diageo Nissan... they're all running for the hills. SF Pride's budget is down $180,000. That’s a lot of credits to leave on the table. It's like the whole corporate world is facing an alien onslaught and deciding to save their own skin instead of fighting the good fight. I have seen better I mean I have seen people handle worse.

San Francisco: More Than Just Drinking Water

Ford pointed out that San Francisco isn't just some tech hub; it's the birthplace of the LGBTQ+ movement. It's a place where people can be themselves without some corporate suit breathing down their necks. And the innovation that comes from that environment... well you can't put a price on that. It ain’t the drinking water; it’s the freedom stupid! People come here to be themselves. Companies now running away should learn that important aspect!

The Ghost of Pride Past: Rainbow Washing Fades

Remember when every tech company slapped a rainbow on their logo for Pride Month? Now it's all tumbleweeds. Lawsuits and Trump tweets got 'em scared. Amy Dufrane from HRCI says companies are pulling back from DEI faster than you can say 'synthetic person.' Even anonymous donations are happening – that is ridiculous! It's like they're all hiding in the *Sulaco* hoping the aliens won't find them.

Hope Remains: 'I Say We Take Off and Nuke the Entire Site From Orbit'

Ford's still holding out hope for Zuck to pull his head out of his behind. She wants to believe there's room for change even at Meta. She knows Zuckerberg probably won't but is leaving the door open anyway. I say nuke it from orbit. It's the only way to be sure! But seriously maybe some day these corporate suits will remember what's important. Until then we gotta keep fighting. After all in space no one can hear you be a coward. (Or a homophobe). Happy Pride people. Stay frosty.