Facebook says sorry to drag queens on real name policy

FACEBOOK has apologised for its real-name policy after a public battle with members of the drag community who described it as discriminatory.

Facebook says sorry to drag queens

FACEBOOK has bowed to public pressure and apologised for its real-name policy after a public battle with members of the drag community who described it as discriminatory.

Facebook chief product officer Chris Cox in a statement has vowed to fix the policy which requires people to identify themselves with their real name.

A San Francsico drag queen Sister Roma launched the campaign against Facebook, saying the policy of needing to use a real name was a challenge for people like her who used an alternative public identity and for people wanting to remain anonymous because of issues such as being victims of domestic violence.

FIGHTING BACK: The #mynameis campaign against Facebook

Facebook wants you to use your real name: #RealNamesPolicy The #LGBT community have spoken out: #MyNameIs | @mashable pic.twitter.com/hVWb5vTBQR

— Roxxi | Desh (@roxxiofficial_) October 1, 2014

“In the two weeks since the real name policy issues surfaced, we’ve had the chance to hear from many of you in these communities and understand the policy more clearly as you experience it,” Cox said in his statement.

“We’ve also come to understand how painful this has been. We owe you a better service and a better experience using Facebook, and we’re going to fix the way this policy gets handled so everyone affected here can go back to using Facebook as you were.”

Hmmm, Facebook only decided to apologize once Ello started getting mounds of attention #MyNameIs

— Broderick Smylie (@savoryexposure) October 1, 2014

The #mynameis hashtag that emerged as part of the campaign to lobby against Facebook’s 10-year-old real name requirement has today turned into messages of celebration about the Facebook statement, although some suggested the change of heart followed recent media attention on the new social media network Ello.

A round of applause for @SisterRoma et al! Thank you! xo #MyNameIs

— Bryan Slater (@bryanslaterxxx) October 1, 2014