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Are you behaving respectfully online?

Sometimes we can be disrespectful to other LGBTIQ+ people online, even if we don’t intend to be.

Think carefully about how you respond to people online and remember that what might be a minor comment to you could be harmful to someone else. If you see someone being disrespectful or abusive online, call out this behaviour if it is safe to do so, but remember to always be respectful in your posts, comments or messages.

Audio

Welcome back! It's time
for "Safe or Soaked?",

where we decide whether your online antics

are worth a big ol' thumbs up,

or a very wet thumbs down.

Let's get started.

Hi Kiki!

Hey Nina, so excited
to be here in you garden.

Very happy to have you...

Now, off you go!

I saw this gross anti-trans meme online

and instead of firing back insults,

I just called it what
it was - 'hate speech'.

They took it down and
I got back to Netflix.

Yas Kiki,

you're what dry dreams are made of!

Keep calling it like you see it.

Ok, Sabir! Will you be getting soaked?

Is it bad to say I hope so...

Hey Nina, a guy I worked with posted

a really (bleep) rant on Facebook,

talking about how bisexuals
need to "pick a side

and get off the fence" - blah, blah, blah.

So I called him out and
gave him an education!

Sabir, I've never been
happier for things to stay dry!

Keep it up, and be sure to
report online haters to the app.

Will it be a dry clean sweep

or will our next guest be getting soaked?

Let's find out.

Hi Nina.

Well, I was sexting this hottie;

and I shared some of the
photos with a few friends

and they didn't think
that was such a good idea

but in hindsight, oops.

Soak! Soak! Soak! Soak!
Soak! Soak! Soak! Soak

No!

Sorry Troy, that's
image-based abuse. Not cool.

Those pics were for your eyes only.

Well, that's all we've got time for.

So remember, if you can't
say it to their face,

don't say it online.

Can I get a towel or something?

Oh, don't be such a (bleep).

Play nice, stay safe.

Safe or soaked

Three contestants share their stories about different experiences they have had online as they play Safe or Soaked.

Personal story

‘Online homophobia, transphobia and any other LGBTIQ+ phobia is just not acceptable. While it can feel important to call it out when we see it, it’s also important that we look after ourselves.’

‘Some people get so angry and worked up when posting comments that they often don’t consider how this might impact their own wellbeing or how other people will feel reading the comments. I am always careful about online venting or calling out. I try to offer different perspectives but keep the heat out of things.’ – Harley*

Key tips for respectful online behaviour

Call out abusive or disrespectful behaviour online – if it is safe to do so

Together we can make the online world a better and more inclusive place for LGBTIQ+ people. Always be respectful when you are calling out negative behaviour or engaging in debate about an issue. Find out more about the different types of online abuse, including adult cyber abuse.

Report abusive posts or accounts

There are direct reporting links for most apps and online services in The eSafety Guide. If they don't help you and the harmful content meets the definition of adult cyber abuse, you can report it to eSafety.

If someone sends you an intimate image, never share it

Find out more about image-based abuse, which is sharing, or threatening to share, an intimate image or video without the consent of the person shown.

No means no

If someone doesn’t respond to your messages and posts, then they are probably not interested. Move on to someone who is. Find out more about cyberstalking.

For more information, check out Inappropriate versus appropriate language online and Be an upstander – not a bystander.

Young LGBTIQ+ people can find more advice about building a safer and more inclusive online community in our Young people section.

Take our quiz

Test your knowledge and take our fun quiz: Are you a good role model online?

*The personal stories quoted here are real accounts taken from our community engagement sessions, only the names have been changed.

Get support

QLife

All ages. Counselling and referral for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and/or intersex. Phone counselling and online chat available every day from 3pm to 12am.

Lifeline

All ages. All issues. Phone counselling and online chat available all day, every day.

More support services

Last updated: 20/10/2023