Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Getty
Many “free speech” platforms host talk of violent insurrection, insidious conspiracy theories, and hate speech against minorities—but bare nipples are still a bridge too far for them.
Most sexually explicit and pornographic content is legal in the U.S., and engaging with such content on social media platforms lets people build communities and explore their identities. Yet the moderation of sexual content on mainstream social networks has made them the de facto arbiters of how people create and engage with nude content, both offline and in the digital space.
As a result, a crucial form of engagement for all kinds of users—including queer communities, sex workers, and other marginalized groups—has been removed and the voices of people with less power have regularly been shut down.