Yubo Provides Safe Space for LGBTQIA+ Youth | The American Reporter

With an emphasis on creating genuine connections among users, the social media platform Yubo allows individuals to discover true friends, not just followers, and build lasting relationships, not just likes. Designed specifically for members of Gen Z, the app enables users to follow specific topics in the hope of creating a bond with others who share similar interests. This is especially true for members of the LGBTQIA+ community, who have often felt marginalized by other social media platforms.

Founded in 2015, Yubo has dedicated itself to celebrating individuality, creating a friendly community, and inspiring a new generation of users to be their authentic selves online, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, or identity. In contrast to other social media apps, Yubo is striving to create an online space that is safe for all and supports and uplifts the growing LGBTQIA+ community.

Yubo Enables Users to Be Their Authentic Self

To promote inclusivity, Yubo has created an LGBTQIA+ friendly space that allows its users to choose among 35+ genders and 50+ pronouns when identifying themselves.

Sacha Lazimi, CEO and co-founder of Yubo, shares, “Since the onset of Yubo, we’ve believed in being a space for everyone. It’s important that younger generations feel seen [and] accepted and have methods of expressing themselves, especially in online and digital environments. This is an important step in providing our LGBTQ+ users with a variety of genders so they can represent themselves authentically.”

Zach, 20, a Yubo user, says, “ It is absolutely a landmark site . Coming out recently as non-binary queer, [I’ve found] Yubo’s inclusive platform [to be helpful] in my journey. Its addition of pronouns and genders means that social media platforms are showing increased support for the LGBTQA+ community. If you’re a 15-year-old trans woman creating a profile, it’s disappointing to have to choose a gender and pronouns when there are no fitting options.”

Another Yubo user, Alex, shares the following: “Since I joined in 2019, Yubo has had a special place in my life. It’s where I can be myself, be true about my interests, and share my hopes and dreams with other people in my community. Through Yubo, I’ve met new friends from around the world and connected further with other members of the LGBTQA+ community. Adding more pronouns allows people to be themselves and … to identify by their desired pronouns. Yubo is consistently building an even more inclusive platform to connect, inspire, and share your life with others and listens to what LGBTQA+ users want to see within the app.”

Since April 2020, 2.8 million Yubo users have featured the pride flag in their bio, and more than 4,000 LGBTQIA+-centric live streams have taken place each day. This is an average of 1.45 million live streams per year that focus on gender identity, sexuality, LGBTQIA+ politics, and more.

Ash, an 18-year-old user from France, says, “The live [streams] allow young people from the LGBTQIA+ community to exchange [thoughts] on many different themes. Adolescence is a time when we are searching for ourselves, and thanks to Yubo and the LGBTQ+ community present on the app, I was able to put my questions into words. Now I know I am non-binary, and I am looking forward to the gender fluidity live show!”

Yubo Connects to Promote Acceptance

Yubo has partnered with numerous organizations, including Switchboard in the United Kingdom, Trevor Project in the United States, and Inter-LGBT in France, to support and promote diversity. Natasha Walker, the co-chair of Switchboard, explains, “Together, we have worked on a campaign that aims to promote acceptance and affirmation of one’s identity.” She continues, “[We sent] thought-provoking messages such as ‘Am I the only one who feels like this?’, ‘I feel trapped in my body.’ and ‘If this is who I am, why do I feel ashamed?’ to Yubo’s teenage users in the UK in a bid to encourage those who are struggling with gender identity and sexuality to telephone the helpline for support.”

Yubo Helps with Mental Health

By providing a platform where individuals can express themselves authentically, Yubo is positively impacting the mental health of its users. Instead of creating anxiety and depression, like other social media platforms tend to do with the pressure of performance based on likes and follows, Yubo is creating a healthy space for Gen Z users to find friendships and helpful resources for navigating adolescence.

Secret, a 17-year-old genderqueer Yubo user who lives part of the year in Arizona and part in California, shares that Yubo “has been a great outlet for them when they want to connect with people when they’re [experiencing] social anxiety.” Secret shares, “If you’re scared to meet new people in person, you can meet them on Yubo instead.”

Tyler, a 21-year-old Yubo user from Illinois, reveals, “Yubo makes me feel more occupied and relaxed … talking to my friends on Yubo can help make me laugh when I’m upset.”

While traditional social media platforms engage users passively — scrolling and liking — Yubo provides meaningful direct interaction, which can boost users’ mood and self-esteem. One of the more interesting parts of the app is its live-streaming rooms. Users can get together and host a group live stream where they immediately connect with one another.

Yubo Provides a Support System

Overall, Yubo has developed a support system for a group that has been historically overlooked by tech developers. For the LGBTQIA+ community, the ability to promote inclusion and address the issues that affect them most in a safe space is a huge step toward better understanding and awareness.

22-year-old Shari, from Australia, explains how Yubo helped him through some difficult times. “Personally, as someone who’s been through literally everything, if it weren’t for the community on Yubo, I probably wouldn’t be where I am right now. These people have uplifted me in times when I haven’t felt safe in my real-life tendencies. … It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re from, or what you’re doing … All that matters is that … you can find somewhere to feel comfortable, and you can find people who understand why we need to feel comfortable.”

To ensure Yubo remains a safe place for LGBTQIA+ users, the app has adopted a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to online hate. The company states, “We have zero tolerance for bullying and discrimination — we provide industry-leading safety tools and act against reports of racism, homophobia, and other online hate … We’re more determined than ever to make Yubo a positive, diverse, and compassionate community. That includes supporting young people as they develop their identity and increase their self-esteem.”

We Are All in This Together

It’s important that every member of every community has a place to meet friends, create memories, and find support — whether it’s in person or online, and Yubo strives to create a space that supports and uplifts the growing LGBTQIA+ community.

Yubo user Zach states, “When one comes out as part of the LGBTQA+ community and tells their friends and family, it’s like pulling back a curtain; you see people for who they truly are and see who you want to keep and who you want to get rid of in your life. Yubo gives users the option to meet like-minded people, who will be there for you despite not knowing you physically and can often provide support and comfort you may not get from your community, family, or friends.”

Finding a safe and accessible social media platform in today’s environment can be difficult and overwhelming. With its dedicated Gen Z community, Yubo aims to make this inclusion second nature for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Originally published at https://www.theamericanreporter.com on April 29, 2022.