Twitter/X vs Bksy: The Trans Shitshow
Who is gonna win this one…
Comparing Trans Toxicity: Twitter/X vs. Bluesky
Let’s be real: the state of social media for trans folks these days is a shitshow. While Twitter/X has long been known as a cesspool for transphobia, Bluesky seemed like a promising escape — until it wasn’t. Recently, Bluesky decided to let known anti-trans figure Jesse Singal have an account, and the trans community’s collective disappointment is practically audible. The backlash has been swift, loud, and, frankly, pretty damn justified. This article dives into the messy realities of both platforms, comparing how each handles (or fails to handle) transphobia, and how trans communities are responding in kind.
Twitter/X: The OG Cesspool
When it comes to trans toxicity, Twitter/X is the blueprint. For years, the platform has been a battleground for trans people fighting off trolls, TERFs (trans-exclusionary radical feminists), and outright bigots. Elon Musk’s takeover has only made things worse. It’s like Musk handed out free passes to every asshole with a hate agenda. Content moderation? Forget it. The algorithm actively boosts hate speech, and verified accounts — you know, the ones that pay Musk his precious $8 — are often the worst offenders.
How Bad Is It?
Pretty fucking bad. Reports of targeted harassment, doxxing, and coordinated attacks on trans users are through the roof. Accounts that spread harmful rhetoric, like misgendering or spreading conspiracy theories about trans people, are rarely banned. Meanwhile, trans users who fight back? Suspended left and right. The double standard is infuriating but unsurprising.
Community Response
Trans communities on Twitter are resilient, but it’s exhausting. Hashtags like #TransJoy and #TransRights are used to create pockets of positivity, but they’re often co-opted by trolls. Private group chats and alt accounts have become survival tools. Still, for many, Twitter remains a necessary evil because it’s where the discourse happens. Activism, fundraisers, and mutual aid often rely on the platform’s reach. But make no mistake: it’s a war zone out there.
Bluesky: The Hope That Wasn’t
When Bluesky started gaining traction, it was hyped as a better alternative to Twitter — a decentralized space free from the chaos and toxicity. For a while, it looked promising. Smaller user base, invite-only, and a moderation system that seemed, at first glance, to care about marginalized communities. Trans folks started flocking there, hoping to build something new and safe. Then the cracks started showing.
Jesse Singal and the Breaking Point
Enter Jesse Singal, a journalist notorious for his anti-trans takes, particularly targeting trans youth and their access to healthcare. When Bluesky allowed him on the platform, trans users were pissed. And rightfully so. The argument from Bluesky’s moderation team boiled down to some weak-ass defense of “free speech” and a “diverse dialogue.” Sound familiar? It’s the same tired excuse we’ve heard a million times before.
For a platform supposedly about inclusivity, letting someone like Singal join is a massive slap in the face to the trans community. The backlash was swift: threads calling out Bluesky’s hypocrisy, trans users threatening to leave, and allies amplifying the outrage. It’s like watching a shitty rerun of the Twitter saga, only this time it’s happening on a smaller, supposedly “better” platform.
Moderation Issues
The moderation tools on Bluesky are… eh, let’s call them a work in progress. Users can create custom filters to block certain words or phrases, which is a neat idea in theory. But the burden of safety is once again dumped on the marginalized. Why should trans people have to do all the work to avoid harassment? That’s the moderation team’s fucking job. Bluesky’s hands-off approach might work for minor issues, but when it comes to hate speech and bigotry, it’s a disaster waiting to happen. Or, in this case, already happening.
Community Response
The trans community on Bluesky is smaller but just as vocal. Many are furious, feeling betrayed by what was supposed to be a safer space. Some are leaving the platform entirely, while others are staying to fight for better moderation policies. The discourse is heated, with some trans users arguing that abandoning Bluesky only cedes ground to the bigots. Others feel it’s not worth the emotional toll to stay. It’s a deeply personal choice, and neither option feels great.
Comparing the Two Platforms
So how do Twitter/X and Bluesky stack up when it comes to handling transphobia and supporting trans communities? Spoiler alert: neither is doing a great job, but they’re failing in different ways.
Scale of Harassment
Twitter/X: The scale of harassment is massive. With millions of users, the platform’s reach is both its strength and its downfall. Trans people are targeted by individual trolls and organized hate groups alike. It’s relentless.
Bluesky: The harassment is smaller in scale but just as harmful. Bluesky’s moderation tools are ineffective against bigotry, and the platform’s smaller size means hate can feel even more personal.
Moderation (or Lack Thereof)
Twitter/X: Moderation is practically nonexistent. Reports of abuse are ignored, and harmful accounts are rarely banned. The algorithm actively boosts hate speech.
Bluesky: Moderation tools exist but are half-baked. Users are expected to self-moderate with custom filters, which shifts the burden onto the victims of harassment.
Community Atmosphere
Twitter/X: Toxic as hell. While there are pockets of support and solidarity, the overall atmosphere is hostile. It’s like walking into a bar fight every time you log in.
Bluesky: Initially hopeful but now teetering. The Jesse Singal debacle has exposed cracks in the platform’s promise of inclusivity. Trust is eroding, and trans users are debating whether it’s worth staying.
Impact on Trans Communities
Twitter/X: Trans communities are resilient but constantly under siege. The platform’s reach is vital for activism, but the emotional toll is high.
Bluesky: The betrayal feels more personal. Trans users joined expecting safety and support, only to find themselves in another battle for basic respect.
The Bigger Picture
Why does this keep happening? Why can’t social media platforms figure out how to support marginalized communities without fucking it up? Part of the problem is the tech world’s obsession with “free speech” at all costs. Platforms like Twitter/X and Bluesky bend over backward to accommodate harmful voices under the guise of “open dialogue,” ignoring the fact that this approach disproportionately harms marginalized groups.
Another issue is the lack of meaningful accountability. Moderation teams are either underfunded, understaffed, or nonexistent. The result? Platforms that prioritize engagement metrics over user safety. And let’s not forget the societal backdrop: we’re living in a time when trans rights are under attack globally. Social media doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it reflects the world’s fucked-up priorities.
What’s Next?
For trans folks, the choice between Twitter/X and Bluesky feels like picking the lesser of two evils. Neither is ideal, and both come with significant emotional costs. But there’s power in community, and trans people have proven time and again that they’re not going down without a fight.
What Can Platforms Do?
Hire More Moderators: Specifically, people who understand the nuances of marginalized experiences.
Enforce Clear Policies: Ban hate speech, period. No more wishy-washy “free speech” bullshit.
Listen to Marginalized Users: Platforms need to involve trans people in decision-making processes. Otherwise, they’ll keep fucking it up.
What Can We Do?
Support Each Other: Build networks of solidarity, whether it’s through private chats, hashtags, or mutual aid efforts.
Hold Platforms Accountable: Keep calling out bullshit. It’s exhausting, but it’s necessary.
Explore Alternatives: Mastodon, Cohost, or even starting our own damn platforms — the more options, the better.
Conclusion
Twitter/X and Bluesky both suck in their own unique ways when it comes to dealing with trans toxicity. While Twitter is the obvious villain, Bluesky’s recent fuck-ups show that even “promising” platforms can’t always be trusted. The fight for safer digital spaces is ongoing, and it’s going to take collective action to make meaningful change. Until then, trans folks will keep doing what they’ve always done: surviving, resisting, and finding joy in the face of it all.
Bibliography
Gallagher, Ryan. "Twitter’s Decline Under Musk: Hate Speech at an All-Time High." TechPolicy Weekly, 2024.
"Bluesky's Moderation Dilemma: An Open Platform in a Closed World." SocialMedia Today, 2024.
Parker, Elizabeth. "Transphobia in the Digital Age: A Comparative Analysis of Social Media Platforms." Journal of Online Communities, 2023.
Singh, Arjun. "Decentralized Platforms and the Promise of Safer Spaces: Bluesky’s Case Study." Internet Futures Quarterly, 2024.
"The Cost of Free Speech: Marginalized Communities and Platform Accountability." Center for Digital Rights, 2023.