Libs of TikTok is a brand that’s alleged to be severely anti-LGTBQ+ and posts such content across all social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. They started with Twitter and today they have over 1.5 Million followers.
Meanwhile, the brand is also a merchant on Shopify and the Ottawa-based brand is facing much criticism from the people for not discontinuing the services of a brand that is so blatantly against the rights and the mere existence of the LGBTQ+ community.
In a recent listing on the online Shopify store of Libs of Tiktok, merchandise like t-shirts and mugs were put on sale with the caption, “STOP GROOMING OUR KIDS.”
Many people belonging to the community of LGBTQ+ and others found this caption extremely hurtful as it propagates the idea of hatred towards the lgbtq+ community, at a time when already hate crimes against the community are on a rise.
Shopify refuses to remove Libs of TikTok from the platform
While most Canadians are opposing this brand for promoting and propagating hatred against the LGBTQ+ community, Shopify has refused to discontinue the services for the same brand as it believes that the brand is not violating any of its guidelines.
Shopify doesn’t allow brands that in any manner hurt the sentiments of any community or religion or that go against a particular gender, caste, or race.
The policies of Shopify dictate that no brand should use the services of Shopify to promote or condone hate or violence against people based on race, ethnicity, colour, national origin, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, medical condition, veteran status or other forms of discriminatory intolerance,” and that its services may not be used “to promote or support organizations, platforms or people that: (i) promote or condone such hate; or (ii) threaten or condone violence to further a cause.”
Despite the abovementioned policy, and the outrage, Shopify has maintained that the brand doesn’t violate the rules of Shopify and so, Shopify does not need to break ties with it.
“We host businesses of all stripes and sizes, with various worldviews. We take concerns around the merchants on our platform very seriously, and Shopify’s [Acceptable Use Policy] outlines the activities that are not permitted on our platform,” said a spokesperson for Shopify.
Ariel Troster, City Councillor for Somerset Ward in Ottawa asks Shopify to do the “right thing”
Ariel Troster, City Councillor for Somerset Ward in Ottawa, belongs to the queer community and has strongly opposed Libs of TikTok for their alleged anti-queer propaganda.
In a recent tweet, she persuaded Shopify to do the “right thing” by deactivating Libs of TikTok’s Shopify account for hurting the sentiments of the LGBTQ+ community and promoting violence against them.
“Hi @tobi, if you want to talk about how this business profits from fomenting hate against people like me, give me a call. Allowing this on your platform is inexcusable, especially given the horrific violence in Colorado Springs. From one Ottawan to another: do the right thing,” wrote Troster on her Twitter account, blatantly directing her tweet toward the CEO of Shopify.
Meanwhile, Nandini Jammi, the co-founder of Check My Ads also took a dig at Shopify and its CEO on Twitter. She wrote, @Shopify is behind Libs Of TikTok’s main revenue stream. @tobi, I know you’re into free speech, but does mass murder cross the line for you? @ShopifySupport”
The people working for the rights and freedoms of the queer community are disappointed with Shopify for allowing Libs of TikTok to earn revenue through their platform.
Fae Johnstone, executive director of the LGBTQ consultancy firm Wisdom2Action, has also expressed his disappointment with the Canada-based online shopping platform.
The trans activist says, “It also tanks or negatively impacts the mental health of the young folks and children who are seeing that. It creates an environment where it’s harder for us to do the work that we need to do in our schools … because there’s a growing risk that they could end up on Libs of TikTok.”
And that is what we’re encouraging everyone to do … Because if they are not willing to oust one client that is homophobic and transphobic, they’re not deserving of any of our business,” Johnstone added.
Given the rage against the alleged homophobic brand, Libs of TikTok, the pressure to discontinue the brand on Shopify is building up. It remains to be seen what Shopify does about the issue and a statement from the CEO or the President, Finkelstein is still awaited.
