All aboard for #Pride2017.
Facebook has launched a new “reaction” to mark LGBT Pride. To be available throughout the whole month of June, the month when many LGBT communities all over the world mark Pride, the emoji is of the rainbow flag, widely considered as an emblem of LGBT Pride.
In a post, Facebook said that “we believe in building a platform that supports all communities. So we’re celebrating love and diversity this Pride by giving you a special reaction.”
According to Michael David dela Cruz Tan, publishing editor of Outrage Magazine, the only LGBT publication in the Philippines, “there may be people who will dismiss this as just a small – perhaps even token – effort; but as of March 2017, Facebook already had more than 1.94 billion monthly active users. This move, therefore, can help increase visibility. And considering our issues with representation, with being seen (e.g. stereotypical representations, sanitized LGBT relationships, killing off of LGBT characters in TV/films), this can help with the cause.”
Facebook’s usual reactions are Like, Love, Haha, Wow, Sad and Angry. The “rainbow reaction” joins the purple flowers that Facebook launched for Mothers’ Day.
If (still) unable to see the rainbow reaction, here are step-by-step instructions:
- Open Facebook
- Search for LGBTQ@Facebook
- Like the LGBTQ@Facebook page
- Wait a few minutes
- Voila! You can now spread the rainbow love…
