Reclaimed Term in Drag Performance

UPDATED

APR 22, 2025

We welcome the Oversight Board's decision today, April 23, 2025, on this case which deals with an Instagram post featuring a drag performance and a caption that included the word "faggy," which Meta designates as a slur, being used in a reclaimed, positive, self-referential context. The user who posted the video referred to themselves as a "faggy martyr" while sharing their performance.

Upon initial review, Meta removed this content for violating our Hateful Conduct policy, as laid out in the Meta Community Standards. However, after the Board brought the case to our attention, we determined that we had removed the content in error and reinstated the post. Meta allows slurs when used “self-referentially or in an empowering way.”

There will be no further updates to this case.