Meta Suspensions Impact Orlando’s LGBTQ+ Venues, Including Savoy Orlando

Recently, Instagram has been suspending accounts of gay bars in Orlando, notably affecting Savoy Orlando located at 1913 N. Orange Avenue. The bar reported that Meta disabled its Instagram account on October 20, just days following the Pride weekend in the city.

Owner Brandon Llewellyn mentioned that the platform accused Savoy of breaching its human exploitation policy. After appealing the decision, Llewellyn was informed that no violation occurred and received an apology, yet the account remained permanently disabled.

Similarly, Anthem Orlando lost its Instagram account on the same day, with Meta citing vague community standard violations. After a week of appeals, Anthem regained access to its account on October 27. Other local LGBTQ+ businesses, like the burlesque group Midnight Mascs, have also faced permanent bans. While there is no definitive proof that Meta is intentionally targeting these establishments, the situation raises concerns about the moderation and appeals process. With the crucial use of Instagram for marketing and community engagement, these suspensions significantly impact small businesses. Savoy has urged supporters to follow its new Instagram account, @savoy.orlando, as it navigates its online presence anew.