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We theorize stigmatization as disruptive for a stigmatized group’s communicative connections to (non-)stigmatized others. Stigmatization communicatively separates affected groups. 3/11

#Contentmoderation does exactly that: it cuts off important social and business relations. We argue that once affected, it is even harder to fight these stigmatization practices. 4/11

The #netnographic study focused on pole dancers and later sex workers, strippers and other stigmatized groups, protesting the #shadowban and the sex-work stigma on Instagram. 5/11

We analyzed communicative practices of stigma management over time.

Our findings show how emphasizing difference to other stigmatized groups enabled pole dancers to regain communicative abilities.

Instagram apologized and (temporarily) lifted the ban for some affected users. 6/11

With the apology, the protest collective #EveryBODYVisible took off. They got organized. By emphasizing solidarity with other stigmatized groups, they mobilized a collective voice to reconstruct the sex-work stigma more broadly. 7/11

However, this theoretical lens has its limits. In a twitter thread,
@bloggeronpole critically unpacked how our theoretical focus on practices and strategies as continuously constituted in interaction might fall short in acknowledging the speaker and their backgrounds:
https://twitter.com/bloggeronpole/status/1613438726658560000 9/11

We see our role as #academics in forging supportive connections to stigmatized groups. However, as we write in out paper "our engagement and this study will never equal the pioneering work, compassion, societal impact, and care that the sex workers, activists, advocates, mothers, and allies in our data are accomplishing"! 10/11

As academic, neighbor, friend, and partner: be aware, keep your eyes open, reflect, and share these stigmatized groups’ stories.
#Contentmoderation affects all of us! 11/11