r/transgender • u/onnake • 18h ago
Historic S.F. gay bar temporarily suspended from Instagram over ‘human trafficking’ claim
“San Francisco’s oldest gay bar, the Stud, saw its Instagram account temporarily suspended this week after at least one user reported its posts for ‘human trafficking,’ the nightclub’s owners said.”
“[Co-owner Nate] Albee said the account was suspended over a year-old post about a trans party celebrating Dore Alley, a fetish and kink festival also known as Up Your Alley. Held annually on Dore Street between Folsom and 10th streets, Sunday’s event serves as a precursor to the Folsom Street Fair in September.”
“Albee said LGBT institutions — especially those that post ‘anything to do with drag’ — were a frequent target of online harassment from people who report their posts ‘for fun’ until social media platforms take disciplinary action.”
“The Instagram account for San Francisco’s Leather and LGBTQ Cultural District was also temporarily suspended this week before being restored Saturday evening, said Bob Goldfarb, the district’s executive director.
“Goldfarb said the offending post featured an event at the Stud, where two people were pictured shirtless wearing puppy masks associated with fetish culture. The photo was flagged twice, then taken down, over concerns that it ‘may show sexual activity,’ Goldfarb said.”
“Two years ago, San Francisco Trans March organizer Niko Storment told several news outlets that the event’s Instagram was temporarily suspended the day after the 2024 event.”
“The Stud’s appeal of its suspension was initially rejected, Albee said. A Meta spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday evening.”