The Lesbian and Gay Foundation discuss the dangers when companies like O2 to AOL use web filters to block LGBTI information and services online, and what you can do to help

You may not realize, but LGBTI people are regularly blocked from seeing information on the Internet, simply because of their sexuality.

This is homophobia, and it’s not being challenged. Web filtering is preventing people from accessing vital services and information on health, wellbeing, and sexual health.

This could lead to serious health and wellbeing issues. We want you to understand the scale of the issue, and how you can tackle it.

A lot of what is being blocked is completely innocent. E-mails that contain words such as ‘lesbian’, ‘gay’ or ‘sexuality’ are treated like spam. Non-pornographic websites aimed at the LGBTI community are banned – including vital support services, lifestyle sites and news and magazine sites like this one.

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