People reading his tweet with the iPhone would see that the crossed-out circle is hoisted over the LGBT flag, creating what looks like a single emoji. The ‘emoji’ was first discovered in January, when Twitter user Mitchell-who goes by the handle ‘ mioog’ and identifies as gay-tweeted a combination of the pride flag and prohibition sign emojis next to each other. Luckily, it’s not a new-or even real-icon that’s set to roll out with 2019’s edition of emoticons, but the result of the way Unicode is programmed. The company continued to say that the icon is not something Facebook or Instagram controls, but that it is investigating multiple comments on Ridwan’s account at the moment which have used the anti-LGBT icon.Twitter users have been in a frenzy over a supposed ‘anti-gay emoji’ that sees the pride flag being canceled out. “This isn’t an emoji that we offer at Instagram, and when we become aware that it’s being used to attack people, we’ll remove it.” In a statement, a Facebook company spokesperson told Indy100: “We want everyone to feel safe and welcome on Instagram, and we don’t allow content that attacks people because of who they are - whether it’s their sexual orientation or gender identity. “Account suspensions are also something the board expects to look at in the future.” This could include recommendations on account enforcement in particular scenarios. When asked about whether the enforcement could extend to accounts, a spokesperson for the oversight board said: “The board has broad ability to deliver recommendations that we believe will improve Facebook’s approach to content moderation. You can appeal decisions on posts and statuses, as well as photos, videos, comments and shares,” a news article from the board reads. “After you have exhausted Facebook’s appeals process, you will receive an Oversight Board reference ID in your support inbox and can appeal the decision to the Board. Previously, the board - an independent panel which reviews content decisions made by the social media company – could only pass judgement on material removed from the platform, not content which remained after a user reported it.
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The launch of #BanTheHateEmoji came just days before Facebook’s Oversight Board announced that it would allow appeals from users around content left up on Facebook or Instagram. Their account was later reinstated, but only after a campaign to have it unsuspended was launched on their behalf.
![gay flag emoji crossed out gay flag emoji crossed out](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/704xn/p05rn1tb.jpg)
In December, the creator was banned from Instagram following an “influx of reports” from users leaving the hate emoji on their posts. It isn’t the first time Ridwan has encountered issues on the platform either. These people have found my email address and are sending similar hate-filled emails as well,” they said. “When I block these accounts, new accounts are being created to attack me. “I am now receiving vitriolic comments and messages including death threats and videos of the rainbow flag being burned and replaced with a Nazi swastika every day. Since launching the campaign, Ridwan says they have received increased levels of abuse on the platform. #BanTheHateEmoji involves several demands for Instagram, including filtering out the ‘hate emoji’ from comments, better diversity and inclusion training for comment and account moderators, and making “continued abuse towards LGBTQIA+ accounts more clearly stated” as being against the app’s rules.
![gay flag emoji crossed out gay flag emoji crossed out](https://i.etsystatic.com/19970439/r/il/601351/1845638628/il_794xN.1845638628_93c2.jpg)
“Even if it is not possible to prevent users from making this symbol … Instagram has a responsibility to overhaul their Community Guidelines to protect LGBTQIA+ creators,” Ridwan said. Speaking to Indy100, Ridwan added that they have been trying to get the attention of Instagram to make a statement on the icon and why it is not against the platform’s guidelines. “A $100 billion tech company *must* be tech-savvy enough to automatically remove the symbol and ban users seen utilising it to abuse us.”
![gay flag emoji crossed out gay flag emoji crossed out](https://i.etsystatic.com/9833646/r/il/f30c47/779057203/il_794xN.779057203_dk1h.jpg)
In an Instagram post detailing their campaign, Ridwan writes: “These guidelines are protecting bullies and bigots, leaving LGBTQIA+ people to face this abuse without the tools to stop it. 13 key moments from Prince Philip’s funeral – In pictures.Neighbour’s note urging woman to dump ‘whiny’ boyfriend sparks domestic abuse debate.Woman speechless after hairdresser edits selfie of her new hairstyle.The 18 best memes and reactions as M&S declares war on Aldi over Colin the Caterpillar.Heartbreaking picture shows Queen sitting alone ahead of Philip’s funeral – here’s how the Internet reacted.If you have seen tweets like this and assume this is an official emoji it’s merely combining two existing characte… - Emojipedia icon first surfaced online in February 2019, when it went viral and sparked outrage among Twitter users.