Dear reader,
Marxism, propaganda, and forcing views. These were some reactions on browser company Vivaldi’s social channels when it published a blog post supporting LGBTQ people.
Many argued that Vivaldi should focus on improving its browser instead of making political statements. As if these two cannot exist at the same time. For some, Vivaldi’s blog post felt that the company was forcing views on them.
In light of this, it’s interesting how Vivaldi’s loud stance against AI doesn’t cause a similar uproar, even if it’s as much of a political statement as promoting the rights of LGBTQ people. The reaction is opposite: people praise Vivaldi for taking a stand against AI. Many other technology companies have also engaged with political issues without backlash from their users. For example, Mullvad and Tuta have been vocal against EU’s Chat Control legislation. If Vivaldi were to follow the suggestion to stay neutral, it shouldn’t position itself against AI. These reactions reveal that the problem isn’t Vivaldi taking a political stand, but the issue itself: people’s anti-LGBTQ views get revealed.
You could argue that it makes sense for a company to get involved in politics when the issue is relevant, but there is no law preventing Vivaldi from being vocal about other issues as well. As a private company, Vivaldi can say what it wants, including defending LGBTQ rights, even if that annoys some users. I’m tired of hearing this argument over and over again how technology companies should shut up about anything political. Staying silent is as much a political choice as making a statement.
Acting as if Brave is the only browser left without political agendas is also ludicrous. What else do you call Brave’s AI, crypto, or Web3 focus other than a political decision to advance and normalize these technologies?
Some people insisted that Vivaldi should respect its users’ “diverse views” on the matter, implying that people’s anti-LGBTQ views are just as acceptable as the supportive ones. However, not all opinions are worth the same. If your views are harmful and hateful towards marginalized communities, other people don’t have to tolerate them.
The pride hate has always been difficult to understand. How is celebrating it away from you? Imagine being a young LGBTQ individual who sees this conversation: people wanting to marginalize you because of your identity, something you can’t control. Hearing people describe your life as an ideology you’re trying to force down their throats. This is wrong.
It’s ironic that it’s these people who oppose pride who demonstrate year after year why we still need it. In a time when the rights of LGBTQ people are under attack all over the world, we need people to voice their support. As an example, Republicans in the U.S. have for years been targeting trans people with their discriminatory legislation. It is only admirable that companies stand up for human rights.
Defending the rights of LGBTQ people shouldn’t be controversial. It tells a lot about you as a person if Vivaldi’s post annoyed you so much that you’re switching browsers because of it. Anyone’s entitled to their opinion, but trying to make a company like Vivaldi take your discriminatory views into consideration when writing blog posts is not something Vivaldi has to do. Exposing ourselves to perspectives that challenge our beliefs about the world is desirable — especially when our existing views hurt other people. 🌔