YouTube under fire over ‘homophobic’ adverts potentially targeting LGBT YouTubers

YouTube has been criticised for reportedly adding anti-gay adverts on videos from LGBT video-makers.

Following recent controversy about YouTube’s relationship with LGBT content on the site, several LGBT video creators have hit out at a stream of anti-LGBT adverts.

On Thursday, author Gaby Dunn asked her fans whether they had seen any anti-LGBT adverts before her videos, after being alerted by some viewers.

(@gabydunn / Twitter)

The bisexual writer wrote: “If you’re a fan of [Just Between Us], have you been seeing anti-gay ads before our videos? Some viewers just alerted me to this and other YouTubers are having this problem too.”

Multiple people responded to say they had seen a range of overtly anti-LGBT adverts on the channels of a number of LGBT creators, including Dodie Clark.

Related: YouTube admits it has a Neo-Nazi problem

The adverts reportedly range from ultra-conservative rants comparing being gay to abuse and paedophilia to political messages in support of anti-LGBT legislation.

One of the most criticised adverts comes from conservative radio host Michael Brown, whose two-minuite long advert condemns being gay using quotes from the bible.

@ChaseRoss here’s that anti-gay ad on your video, I’ll reply with a screenshot that shows it’s on your video pic.twitter.com/OZDtXt3lnm

— Jace Aarons (@JaceAarons) 31 May 2018

After being told that the anti-LGBT adverts, including Brown’s, were being featured on his channel, transgender YouTube star Chase Ross hit out at the platform for allowing the adverts.

(@ChaseRoss / Twitter)

He wrote: “Why is YouTube taking money from these organisations?

He added: “I mean, technically that means anti-LGBT organizations are literally giving money to LGBT folk. Lol.”