At Delhi Queer Pride 2026, Queer Community Talks About Battling Digital Hate Amid Platform Policy Failures

In the digital realm where self-expression knows no bounds, the LGBTQ+ community has found solace in social media platforms like Instagram. However, this sanctuary has become a constant spot for online hate and harassment, amplified by silence of tech giants and big data like Meta and policy lapses. As queer influencers bravely share their authentic selves, they are met with a barrage of vitriol and dehumanising slurs, often in regional languages that slip through the cracks of Meta's content moderation policies.

The failure of Meta's policies to adequately address regional language slurs and hate speech is a glaring oversight that perpetuates the marginalisation of the LGBTQ+ community. As Yuvraj Acharya, a queer influencer whom we spoke to, poignantly states, 'People tell me constantly in my comments to harm myself or that it would be better for me to not exist, but those comments are not blocked. The comments I write, as replies, are blocked. That speaks of the intention of Instagram.'

The harrowing experiences shared by queer influencers and activists paint a grim picture of the challenges they face in navigating the online world. From body-shaming and derogatory remarks about their appearance to threats of violence and corrective sexual assault filled in the comments, the onslaught of abuse is relentless and soul-crushing. For many young people, the online world represents both their greatest source of community and their most dangerous vulnerability.

The Scale of the Problem

The crisis facing India's LGBTQ+ community online is backed by sobering statistics that reveal the extent of digital violence. According to a 2020 study by the Indian Child Protection Fund, one in four children in India are victims of cyberbullying, with girls and LGBTQ+ youth disproportionately affected. UNESCO data from 2018 reveals that nearly 70% of LGBTQ students in India face anxiety and depression due to bullying, whilst 43% faced sexual harassment in primary schools.

The numbers paint an even grimmer picture in recent years. According to a paper at US's National Library of Medicine, India has the highest incidence of internet harassment, among other forms of harassment, with over 33% of children reporting having been victims. By 2025, 37% of Indian teens reported being bullied online, whilst LGBTQ+ youth faced even higher rates, 42% globally experienced digital harassment, with rates rising by more than 50% compared to their heterosexual peers. The National Crime Records Bureau reported 50,035 cases of cybercrime in India in 2020 alone, marking a 11% increase from 2019 to 2020.

These statistics underscore an alarming trend: as India's digital landscape expands, so too does the hate comments and reactions that targets its most vulnerable communities. The rise in cybercrime cases reflects not just increased reporting, but a genuine escalation in online abuse that disproportionately affects LGBTQ+ individuals who dare to live authentically in public digital spaces.

Community Voices Speak About The Issue

Speaking to members of the community at the recent Delhi Queer Pride 2026, the personal toll of this digital violence became devastatingly clear. 'Even if I try to report a comment, they don't tend to remove those comments either,' shares Kirti Sachdeva, who identifies as queer and is a tattoo content creator. 'Comments in English are moderated, but comments in Hindi, especially slurs, are not.'

Sanat Chadda, who identifies as trans, echoes the sentiments of many who have faced the brutal onslaught of hate speech in regional languages. She reminds of the incident when she had her account taken down by Meta after she called out a queerphobic person by showing their comments on her stories and reels. 'I want Hindi comments or comments with Hindi slurs to be moderated,' she says. 'When a queer content creator just posts a shirtless picture, that is very harmful to society, but somebody killing a person is not harmful enough. It is just hypocrisy.'

'They are not taking down the harassment comments, they are not taking down the posts that should not be on social media,' Mehr, a trans influencer, adds. The threats extend beyond words on a screen. Yuvraj recounted how in his early creation days people told him that if they found him, they would rape him, and being just 18 at the time, he was afraid.

Activists and mental health professionals alike decry the devastating impact of such online abuse on the wellbeing and safety of LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly youth. 'Younger individuals are in a critical stage of identity formation,' warns Sahil Chaudhary, head of LGBTQIA+ programmes at Naz Foundation, Delhi. 'They are more vulnerable to the negative effects of cyberbullying, and prolonged online harassment can contribute to mental health struggles and increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.'

Even Naz's Delhi LGBTQ+ Centre's official Instagram handle was taken down for a long period of time last year and came back to life after multiple reports, legalities and months of back and forth with Meta. Sahil continues, 'In the Queerkhana meetings we host at the centre, a lot of young queer folks say that online hatred is so cataclysmic for them, almost like vitriol to their inner despair. It's not just influencers but almost every public queer account.'

Kirti adds a particularly poignant observation, 'Sometimes the parents themselves are not supportive, and they try to find a safe space online.' For many young LGBTQ+ individuals, the digital world represents their only refuge, making the prevalence of online abuse all the more devastating.

Resilience and the Path Forward

A queer tech expert who works at Meta and is part of their DEI team anonymously told us that their policies are not enough to safeguard anyone from bullying, which is on the rise. With power shifts in the US government and overhaul of Meta’s policies post it, homophobia and queer phobia has taken a significant rise on the platform and most reports go unchecked. “'When I saw the LGBTQ+ Centre's account gone, I remember I had this dropping feeling in my gut. I had friends reach out to me with a lot of confusion and anger and the same was with the centre's folks. It showed how if you take away whatever little support system or inspiration that the community gets from these accounts, you are left with no hope, which is what big data, maybe Meta or X are doing.'

Despite the overwhelming nature of online abuse, members of the community continue to find strength in solidarity and resilience. Amidst this sea of hate, some influencers have found solace in humour and defiance. As Yuvraj advises, 'They cannot touch you. They can sit and bark, but they cannot come and bite you. A place like Pride, a place like your friends, and anyone who's accepting you, go to them.'

In the words of Himaki, another queer creator whom we also met at Delhi Queer Pride 2026, 'Outrage will bring liberation, so don't stop slaying and being yourself.' This sentiment captures the dual reality of India's LGBTQ+ digital experience: a space of both profound danger and remarkable resilience, where community members continue to demand not just survival, but the right to thrive authentically online.