In March of this year, during International Women’s Month, there will be a month-long theatre festival in Kitchener-Waterloo Ontario, and I quote:
Welcome to Femme Folks Fest. A new month-long festival in Waterloo Region dedicated to and in celebration of Women identified or presenting. Productions. Panels. Pop-Ups. Professional Development. March is #femmefolks.
As is the thing to do these days, when one wishes one’s festival to be widely known, one uses social media, especially Facebook, and so the organizers of Femme Folks Fest put up an ad. Only, Facebook has an issue with it and pulled it. Because the ad might be “controversial”. Apparently because it has the word “women” in the ad copy.
CBC has the story here:
When CBC News contacted Facebook, asking why the ad was rejected, a spokesperson replied that "advertisers wanting to place ads related to politics, elections or social issues must go through an ad authorization process," and indicated the Femme Folks Fest didn't go through that process.
Facebook said it rolled out new transparency tools for advertisers in advance of the October federal election. It said it also now "proactively detects ads that discuss, debate or advocate for/against seven social issues in Canada."
…
O'Connell says she can't figure out how the festival counts as a social issue, saying that just because a festival features work by and for women doesn't mean its inherently political.
...
"I wonder if something that stated 'men' would have the same issue."
So, in order to get word out because Facebook apparently doesn’t want woman cooties all over their platform, I’m asking for some help. Spread it around! Let people know. Visit the website and find out about the event: femmefolksfest.ca.
Remember, only you can prevent Zuckerbergs from deciding everything you see.