Queering Algorithmic Governance : An Inquiry into Automation and Its Social Implications for Canada’s LGBTQ+ Communities

The lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ+) communities have been early adopters of digital platforms, like YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram. In the past decade, these platforms have introduced new algorithms that oversee nearly all of our online activities, like online searches and content moderation. Platform algorithms are being increasingly criticized for reproducing sexual, racial, and gender biases through the decisions they automate. Yet, little is known about the specific challenges that platform algorithms pose for LGBTQ+ users. In this research, we leverage the expertise of key LGBTQ+ stakeholders (community representatives, developers, researchers, and policymakers) to identify and analyze the implications that platform algorithms raise for Canada’s LGBTQ+ communities, especially in terms of social justice and equity. By doing so, we seek to further highlight how digital technologies are never neutral but encoded with values that enact important power dynamics disproportionally affecting marginalized communities. 

The project is led by David Myles (SSHRC Insight Development, 2021-2023). Florence Millerand and Stefanie Duguay (Concordia University) participate as co-investigators, and Carrie Rentschler (McGill University) and Martin Blais (UQAM) as collaborators.

This content has been updated on 19 December 2023 at 14 h 44 min.