Navigating Life as a Religious LGBTQ Jew in a Digital Age

As someone who is Jewish and identifies as LGBTQ, myself and many others, find ourselves at the intersection of two highly targeted groups on social media. Online harassment via social media is not only psychologically harmful, but can also lead to physical danger, placing significant accountability on the tech companies that operate these platforms.

For so many individuals, social media is a creative haven, a space for self-expression and global connection. While LGBTQ Jews can find supportive communities online, many see social media as a harmful and hostile environment.

A recent survey from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) shows that both Jewish and LGBTQ communities face frequent online harassment. ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt states, “Despite numerous assurances from digital platforms, hatred and harassment continue to infest the internet. Legislators and major tech firms must fulfill their pledges to tackle online hate and harassment.”

Rejection within the Orthodox Jewish community, amplified by social media, contributes to the mental health struggles of LGBTQ individuals. Research from JQY (Jewish Queer Youth) indicates that suicide rates are significantly higher among Orthodox LGBTQ youth not due to their faith, but because of rejection. Tragically, 70% of Orthodox LGBTQ Jews have considered or attempted suicide.

For young people like me, who are out of the closet, or others who are considering coming out, queer Jewish social media figures can provide inspiration and strength. However, the hate these influencers face often dominate their efforts for positive change. Take Yuval David’s Instagram, for example; his posts are overpowered with hateful comments aimed at LGBTQ Jews. Messages like “Quit playing the victim this is shameful” and “Adolf Hitler, we miss you, boss” come from people outside the LGBTQ Jewish community. Even more disturbing are comments from within the Jewish community such as “I’m Jewish too, but I don’t endorse homosexuality”, “No pride in LGBT”, and “Unclean, an abomination and stench according to Torah.”

These offensive comments emphasize the extreme loneliness queer Jews frequently experience particularly in a generation dominated by social media as they feel as though they are not part of either group.

A particularly jarring case is that of Herschel Siegel, a 25-year-old Orthodox man who took his own life after years of struggling with his LGBTQ and Jewish identities. On Instagram, Herschel shared over being labeled an “abomination” by his community. One post from March 26, 2023, described his suffering, and within two months, he ended his life. This heartbreaking event highlights the severe impact of unmonitored content. Addressing this tragic issue falls not only on those who spread hate but also on platforms that allow such harmful content.

Social media companies are mainly private and rely on ads to make money and they prioritize user engagement likes, shares, and comments. The concept, known as surveillance capitalism, extracts your personal data painting a picture of you. With your data the company knows everything about you and can target content and advertisements at you. They also use this data to keep you engaged in the platform even if it is emotionally charged content or hate speech.

Comments like those on Yuval David’s posts receive algorithmic boosts due to their ability to generate higher engagement. As a result, platforms benefit financially from such content and have little incentive to regulate it. For LGBTQ Jews, this creates a damaging cycle: their attempts to counter hate often lead to more negative engagement, which unintentionally boosts platform profits. Though these reactions foster pride and resilience, they also fuel the very system that perpetuates hatred.

While Meta platforms which are a key player in the social media industry claim that hate speech is prohibited against LGBTQ+ community, I have not noticed any difference. It’s important that tech companies like Meta have a policy against hate but they must implement it.

The difficulties encountered by LGBTQ Jews on social media are severe, and platforms have continuously struggled to combat hate speech and online harassment. I believe that with the rise in Artificial Intelligence (AI) the dangers on these platforms will only rise. This proves the urgent need for companies to implement quick and impactful measures to safeguard their users.

Ultimately, combining LGBTQ and Jewish identities on social media present both benefits and obstacles. Social media platforms can create meaningful connections they also increase tension and continue to spread hate. Heartbreaking stories, like that of Herschel Siegel, show the severe consequences of unmonitored online hate, stressing the crucial responsibility of tech companies to create safer digital spaces. Lawmakers, tech leaders, and society must prioritize combating online hate and harassment. Only through accountability and real changes can we transform these platforms into spaces that support rather than harm marginalized communities.