Social media giant Facebook has made some changes to its real names policy, and local drag queens and others affected by the rules are cautiously optimistic.
At issue is Facebook's policy requiring people to use their real names, even if they are known publicly by professional names, such as drag queens and other performance artists.
Critics contend that the policy is discriminatory toward the transgender community, forcing transgender people to use their birth names on Facebook, even though these names may be at odds with a person's gender identity. There were also reported cases of battered women and sexual assault survivors who were forced to reveal their legal names on Facebook, which could theoretically open them up to additional attacks.
There have been some victories in the community's ongoing battle with Facebook. Carmen Morrison, a lesbian who performs with the drag king troupe Momma's Boyz, won the right to use Alex U Inn, her stage name, on her page after protesting being locked out of her Facebook account. But for the most part, Facebook has stood by its policy.
Last year, gay San Francisco Supervisor David Campos and members of the drag and trans communities met with Facebook executives, to no avail. Earlier this year, during a dustup over whether the company would be able to participate in the San Francisco Pride parade, Facebook said it was committed to meeting with activists.
Last week, Sister Roma of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and others met again with Facebook executives.
In a change, Facebook will now also require people who flag other users for using a fake name to provide more information and context. False flagging, as it is known, is an acknowledged form of harassment.
"Facebook agrees that many people on the site use the fake name reporting option maliciously," Sister Roma told the Bay Area Reporter. "In addition they acknowledge that many people incorrectly use the fake name reporting option when they actually intend to report bad behavior."
Roma noted Facebook's new requirement of those filing reports to provide further information.
"The hope is that these changes will discourage people from making malicious and casual fake name reports," Roma added. "The additional information will provide the team with details to help them determine if the user being reported should be suspended."
Facebook spokesman William Nevius provided the B.A.R. with statements from Alex J. Shultz, a Facebook team leader who "helps protect people on Facebook." The statements were from a letter that Schultz sent to a concerned Facebook user regarding the real names policy.
"We require people to use the name on Facebook that family and friends know them by and we'll continue to do so," Schultz wrote. "From experience, we know that this policy helps make Facebook safer. When people use the names others know them by, they are more accountable for what they say, making it more difficult for them to hide behind an anonymous name to harass, bully, spam or scam someone."
But there will be exceptions. Moving forward, Facebook will allow users to provide more information about their circumstances in order to give additional details or context of their unique situation.
"This will help us better understand why people can't currently confirm their name, informing potential changes we make in the future," Schultz said.
LGBT concerns were also addressed by Facebook.
"Changes to the appeals process include those of us reported to explain further why our name is authentic," Roma noted. "Tentative examples will include check boxes that include LGBT, trans, domestic violence survivor, and ethnic names, such as Native American. There will also be a text field for users to further protest the report and explain their authentic identity."
Roma was cautiously optimistic. "Of course, these explanations are only as effective as the people reviewing them," Roma said. "I find these changes encouraging. It proves that Facebook is listening to the concerns of the LGBTQI and other communities negatively affected by the real names policy and fake name reporting."
Roma would like to see the fake name policy removed altogether.
"Fake name is the only option that punishes identity and not behavior," Roma said.
For its part, Facebook will continue to review the situation.
"We know there is more work to be done," acknowledged Schultz in his letter. "We want to incorporate your ongoing feedback as we continue working on this."