Drag Queen's Victory Against Facebook's Real Name Policy

The Facebook policy of making people use their “real names” has caused consternation among the Drag queen and LGBTQ community. Facebook wants the users to use their legal names listed on their credit card or driving licenses to access their account. This requirement has been deemed hurtful and discriminatory by Drag performers who use their on stage names for their account.

A San Francisco Drag queen, Sister Roma wrote in her Facebook account that the real name policy was “Unfair, hurtful, discriminatory and an invasion of privacy.” Sister Roma's account which operates under her real name is unknown among fans. Experts also say that this policy is hurtful for activists, domestic abuse victims and many others who keep their social network identity a secret to keep themselves safe.

Facebook's user policy states that the profile name should be “should be your real name as it would be listed on your credit card, driver’s license or student ID”. The company argues that making people reveal their real names helps to keep social networking safe. Christopher Cox, Facebook’s product chief, posted an apology to all those whose accounts were deactivated due to the misguided user policy. Last September Facebook had deactivated accounts of hundreds of people predominantly Drag Queens who used their stage names. Bur Facebook claims that this policy would help to weed out “bad actors doing bad things.”

But many observers feel that this policy is consistent with Facebook business model. In his article in the Wall street journal, Reed Albergotti writes, “Facebook's Business model involves building detailed profiles of people so that it can send targeted advertisements depending on their personalities.”

Facebook has not committed to repeal the “real name policy.” But the company has promised to look in to ways of enforcing the rule. The policy helps to prevent bullying, identity theft, rumour mongering and even terrorism. This is a big issue faced by the world. But Facebook's apology has been accepted and sister Roma in her post hoped that Facebook find way of enforcing its policies to create an “authentic and safe environment for all users.”

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