Meta Removes Transgender and Nonbinary Themes from Messenger

Meta is facing renewed backlash after quietly removing transgender and nonbinary-themed chat options from its Messenger app, a move that has left many users questioning the company’s commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion. The themed chat designs, inspired by Pride flags, were originally introduced in 2021 and 2022 as part of Meta’s public celebrations of Pride Month and International Nonbinary People’s Day. At the time, the features were praised as small but meaningful symbols of visibility and support within one of the world’s most widely used messaging platforms.

Now, without a major announcement or clear explanation, those themes have disappeared — and the timing has raised serious concerns. LGBTQ+ advocates and allies argue that the removal is not an isolated decision, but part of a broader shift happening inside Meta. In recent months, the company has scaled back several diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, signaling what some see as a retreat from values it once publicly championed.

Even more troubling for critics are recent updates to Meta’s content moderation rules. The company has reportedly relaxed restrictions on posts that label LGBTQ+ individuals as “mentally ill” based on their gender identity or sexual orientation. Advocacy groups warn that such changes could open the door to increased harassment, misinformation, and stigma across Meta’s platforms, including Facebook and Instagram.

For many users, the loss of inclusive Messenger themes may seem minor on the surface — just a cosmetic feature. But to those directly affected, it represents something much deeper. “Visibility matters,” activists argue, noting that small symbols of recognition can help marginalized communities feel seen and supported in digital spaces where hostility is already common.

Social media has become a central part of everyday life, especially for young LGBTQ+ people seeking connection and affirmation. Critics say that removing these options, while simultaneously loosening protections against harmful language, sends a powerful and unsettling message about whose voices and identities are being prioritized.

As Meta continues to evolve its policies and corporate direction, pressure is mounting for the company to explain its decisions and address growing fears that inclusion is being quietly pushed aside. For now, the disappearance of Pride-inspired chat themes has reignited a larger debate: is Big Tech stepping back from LGBTQ+ support — and if so, why now?