Memphis Standard

U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Joni Ernst have addressed a letter to TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, criticizing the platform's decision to ban advertisements supporting women's sports by labeling them as "hate speech." The senators highlighted concerns over TikTok's simultaneous allowance of ads promoting transgender surgery for minors.

In their letter, Blackburn and Ernst stated, "We write to you today regarding TikTok’s decision to ban pro-women’s sports advertisements as ‘hate speech,’ while allowing ads promoting transgender surgery for minors on the platform." They described this action as an attempt by TikTok to influence its users and noted instances where female athletes like Bethany Hamilton and Riley Gaines were deplatformed for advocating fair play.

The senators referenced a specific incident involving XX-XY Athletics, a small business that supports biological women in sports. According to reports from June, TikTok banned this business from advertising on the platform, labeling their content as offensive and later as hate speech. The advertisement in question celebrated female achievement and encouraged young women to "be honest and be brave."

Furthermore, Blackburn and Ernst expressed concern over TikTok permitting graphic advertisements that promote transgender surgery for minors. They mentioned an ad showing a teenage girl who had undergone a double mastectomy, describing it as an example of hypocrisy from the platform.

The senators also cited public opinion statistics: "Almost 70% of Americans agree that athletes should only be allowed to compete on sports teams that correspond with their sex at birth." They argued that recognizing biological differences between men and women is not controversial or hateful.

Blackburn and Ernst concluded by urging TikTok to cease what they termed an assault on young women and small businesses in America. They called for the platform to allow companies promoting biological women in sports to advertise freely.

For more details, readers can access the full text of the letter through the provided link.