Social media serves as both a source of support, encouragement, and love, as well as a platform for insensitivity, hate, vileness, and cruelty, especially for those who openly identify as queer.
Regrettably, the world bid farewell to Priyanshu Yadav aka Pranshu, a vibrant 16-year-old makeup artist from Ujjain, MP, on November 21, 2023. Pranshu, a self-taught makeup artist and 10th-grade student, bore the brunt of relentless online hate, a relentless barrage of virtual attacks that eventually played a pivotal role in their heartbreaking decision to end their own life. This painful incident underscores the urgent need to address the devastating impact of online bullying, especially within the LGBTQIA+ community.
Relentless homophobia and bigotry tragically led to the devastating decision of a 16-year-old queer teenager to take his own life. As a Class 10 student, Pranshu encountered ceaseless bullying on Instagram. The breaking point occurred following Pranshu's Diwali Reel, where they confidently showcased themselves in a saree. This celebration of identity prompted a deluge of homophobic comments on Instagram, contributing to the distressing circumstances that ultimately culminated in Pranshu's untimely passing. This heartbreaking incident underscores the urgent need for addressing and combating online hate within the LGBTQIA+ community.
The Disturbing Reality Of LGBTQIA+ Homophobia On Social Media
People often turn to social media as a platform for self-expression, seeking encouragement and progression in their lives. In the LGBTQIA+ community, members often share content in an attempt to gain societal acceptance, but unfortunately, they frequently encounter hate instead. Despite efforts by prominent celebrities to speak out against the homophobia faced by the LGBTQIA+ (LGBTQIA full form) community on these platforms, the issue persists.
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The distressing incident involving Pranshu Yadav has brought attention to the pervasive problem of online homophobia and its devastating impact on the LGBTQIA+ community. Pranshu, a 16-year-old queer artist, sought to authentically document their truth, only to face over 4000 hateful and homophobic comments on their Diwali Reel alone. Despite responding to bullies with grace and resilience, the unrelenting onslaught took a toll on Pranshu's life.
Urgency Of Combating LGBTQIA+ Cyberbullying
This isn't the first time a queer person has faced online hate leading to a suicide attempt. Previously, a 19-year-old boy in Chennai took his own life after being ridiculed for being homosexual. Avinshu Patel, from Mumbai, shared his harassment experiences on social media, posting on July 2, 2019, and turning off his phone. The next day, locals found his body on the beach near his home.
LGBTQIA+ individuals often endure excessive cyberbullying and harassment, causing severe mental health struggles. Following the sad news about Pranshu, many well-known LGBTQIA+ figures and activists paid their respects. Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju, an actor and activist, remembered Pranshu and pointed out flaws in Instagram’s safety guidelines.
Pranshu's suicide resonates with a widespread reality experienced by numerous queer individuals. The online space, intended for fostering connections and creativity, has unfortunately transformed into a fertile ground for hate and intolerance. Despite the endeavours of numerous activists, platforms like Instagram have consistently fallen short in safeguarding LGBTQIA+ users, particularly children, from targeted harassment.
The tragic loss of 16-year-old Pranshu should serve as a wake-up call for all of us to promptly implement strong measures to shield LGBTQIA+ individuals from online hate and discrimination. It stands as a stark reminder that the battle for inclusivity and acceptance is an ongoing struggle that requires our collective efforts.
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