In the digital age, the internet can be a place of empowerment, connection, and inspiration. It allows individuals from all walks of life to unite, share experiences, advocate for their rights, and find supportive communities. For many transgender people, online platforms can be nothing short of life-changing, offering immediate access to peer support, mental health resources, and safe spaces to discuss transitions and personal growth. However, as is the case with many powerful tools, the internet can also become a source of hostility and real danger. One website widely acknowledged for its antagonistic culture, doxxing, and targeted harassment—particularly against the transgender community—is Kiwi Farms.
In this article, we will explore what Kiwi Farms is, why it is considered harmful, and how transgender individuals, their families, and allies can protect themselves and offer support to one another. Above all, this article seeks to underscore the importance of empathy, community solidarity, and awareness as we navigate an online world where not all corners are safe or welcoming.
What Is Kiwi Farms?
Kiwi Farms is an online forum infamous for hosting content that targets a range of individuals, often referred to by forum users as “lolcows”—a slang term indicating that these people are “milked” for amusement. While it began as a platform focused on internet personalities and niche online dramas, it eventually grew into a broad-spectrum harassment site. People targeted by Kiwi Farms users come from diverse backgrounds and include content creators, activists, and private individuals who, for any number of reasons, have caught the forum’s attention. Unfortunately, transgender individuals make up a significant portion of the forum’s targets, sometimes resulting in devastating real-world consequences.
Founded around 2013 by a former administrator of a different forum, Kiwi Farms developed a reputation for encouraging a culture that many describe as toxic and deeply hostile. Over the years, the forum’s user base has engaged in practices such as:
- Doxxing: The act of publishing private or identifying information (e.g., home addresses, phone numbers, workplaces) online without consent.
- Harassment: Coordinating campaigns of online abuse and defamation against targets, potentially spilling into their real lives.
- Threats and Stalking: Collecting personal details about individuals to intimidate them and, in some instances, incite offline harassment.
Adding to the distressing nature of the platform, Kiwi Farms’ owner, Josh Moon, registered his company under the name Final Solutions LLC—a reference many see as a chilling nod to antisemitic, neo-Nazi, and white supremacist ideologies.
Kiwi Farms’ practices have not only drawn condemnation from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups but have also led to increased scrutiny by digital rights organizations. For the transgender community, which already faces disproportionately high rates of discrimination, hostility, and mental health challenges, this added layer of targeted harassment can be profoundly harmful.
Historical Context and Controversies
Kiwi Farms’ controversies extend back nearly to its inception. Although the site initially flew under the radar of the broader public, it gained more attention over time as reports of doxxing and harassment proliferated. On top of this, the site’s error messages sometimes cited the “41%” statistic, referring to the elevated suicide attempt rate among transgender individuals, seemingly mocking a serious mental health crisis. Disturbingly, Kiwi Farms users also maintained resource guides detailing how to inflict the maximum amount of harm on trans targets, with discussions specifically designed to create terror and provoke severe emotional distress. Some notable controversies include:
- Targeting of Transgender Activists: Several well-known transgender activists and streamers have found themselves singled out by Kiwi Farms, resulting in mass harassment campaigns. For some, this led to real-world consequences such as job loss, severe mental health crises, and in certain tragic cases, attempts of self-harm or suicide.
- Community Pressure and Cloudflare’s Response: In mid-2022, growing public pressure on internet service providers to take action against harmful forums led to a high-profile case where Cloudflare, a major internet services provider, dropped Kiwi Farms from its platform. While Kiwi Farms has found various ways to resurface, these incidents highlight the increasing resolve within the internet community to hold sites accountable for facilitating hate speech and harassment.
The controversies surrounding Kiwi Farms illustrate a pattern of organized, persistent attacks aimed at individuals who are already vulnerable or marginalized. Their identity as transgender, combined with the visibility that often comes from being an activist or content creator, makes them frequent targets.
Why Transgender Individuals Are Frequent Targets
The transgender community has long struggled with misunderstanding, discrimination, and stigma. In both online and offline spaces, trans people regularly experience hostility born from transphobia and ignorance. Kiwi Farms, unfortunately, amplifies such prejudices in the following ways:
- Visibility: Trans people who are visible online—whether through social media, streaming platforms, or advocacy work—often attract harassment from those who oppose their identity or activism. Forums like Kiwi Farms perceive them as prime targets for trolling and mockery, primarily due to existing societal biases.
- Prejudice and Stigma: A significant portion of anti-trans sentiment is driven by fear, lack of understanding, or personal biases. Kiwi Farms users often exploit these societal prejudices, justifying their harassment as “criticism” or “entertainment.”
- Vulnerability: The trans community experiences higher rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation due to systemic discrimination and minority stress. This vulnerability can make it particularly devastating when individuals face aggressive online attacks, as they may have fewer protective factors or supportive networks.
Because of these underlying factors, Kiwi Farms’ fixation on trans people is a disconcerting reflection of the broader societal prejudice faced by the transgender community.
The Real-World Impact on Transgender Lives
The harm that originates in a digital space does not remain confined to the internet. Kiwi Farms users frequently engage in tactics that cross the boundaries into real life, bringing about severe consequences:
- Doxxing and Safety Concerns: When personal information is exposed, transgender individuals can be put at risk of physical harm, stalking, or harassment at their homes or workplaces. Safety becomes an even greater concern for those who may not have the financial stability or social support to easily move or protect themselves.
- Professional Repercussions: Online smear campaigns can damage reputations, leading to job losses or difficulty finding future employment. In professions that require public-facing visibility or licensure, these repercussions can be particularly devastating.
- Mental Health Struggles: Persistent online harassment can trigger or exacerbate mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress. For many transgender individuals who have already encountered psychological challenges, these attacks can be overwhelming.
There have been instances where trans individuals have reported severe emotional distress leading to self-harm. Such tragedies underscore the urgency to address the forum’s behaviors and protect those at risk.
Protecting Yourself: Practical Tips
For transgender individuals, their families, and allies, safeguarding personal information and mental well-being is paramount. Although no measure is foolproof, there are effective strategies to minimize risks of online harassment:
- Manage Your Digital Footprint: Carefully review what personal information you post online. Regularly check your privacy settings on social media, and consider limiting the audience for more personal content. Avoid posting details such as your home address, your workplace, or the locations you frequent in real-time.
- Use Strong Privacy Tools: Consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to hide your IP address and browsing data, especially if you engage in public discourse or online activism. Strong, unique passwords for each website or service can also protect you from hacking attempts.
- Limit Personal Interactions with Strangers: Take care when interacting with unknown individuals who contact you unexpectedly. Even seemingly friendly people may be collecting information that could later be used against you.
- Document Harassment: If you become a target of online harassment or doxxing, document everything—screenshots, URLs, timestamps, and messages. Having a thorough record will help if you decide to take legal action or file reports with law enforcement.
- Foster a Support Network: Reach out to friends, family, or online support groups if you suspect you are being targeted. Isolation is a common effect of harassment; speaking to trusted individuals helps alleviate some of the stress.
- Consult Legal and Advocacy Resources: Know your rights where you live. Contact local nonprofits or legal clinics that specialize in cyberharassment or LGBTQ+ rights. They may offer guidance or connect you with resources to assist in protecting yourself legally.
Mental Health Care and Self-Care
When dealing with online harassment, prioritizing mental health is critical. The onslaught of hateful comments, misgendering, and doxxing can be severely detrimental. Here are essential self-care strategies for trans individuals, or anyone affected by such harassment:
- Therapeutic Support: Professional counseling can be invaluable. Mental health professionals can offer coping strategies to navigate fear, anxiety, depression, or trauma. There are also specialized therapists with expertise in LGBTQ+ issues who can provide gender-affirming care.
- Peer Support Groups: Whether online or local, peer support groups offer a sense of community and understanding. Sharing experiences with others who have faced similar challenges can alleviate the isolation that often accompanies harassment.
- Healthy Boundaries: Set boundaries around your internet use. Consider taking breaks or curating your feed so that you see fewer negative comments or harmful content.
- Mindfulness and Stress Reduction: Techniques like meditation, deep breathing exercises, or journaling can help manage the stress associated with ongoing harassment.
- Crisis Lines: If you ever feel overwhelmed or at risk of self-harm, please reach out to crisis hotlines, such as the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. (dial 988), or local hotlines in your country. These resources are often available 24/7 with trained individuals prepared to help.
Remember, seeking help is not a sign of weakness; it is an act of resilience and self-preservation.
Online Community Responses
While sites like Kiwi Farms continue to exist, the broader internet community has grown increasingly aware of the harm they cause. Many platforms, including social media giants, have taken steps to remove or ban Kiwi Farms-related content. Additionally, a growing coalition of activists, journalists, and legal experts works tirelessly to expose and challenge these forums. Some notable collective efforts include:
- Awareness Campaigns: Hashtags, viral posts, and articles have helped raise public consciousness about Kiwi Farms’ activities. This heightened visibility often translates to increased scrutiny by tech companies and service providers.
- Reporting Mechanisms: Groups such as the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative and various LGBTQ+ organizations encourage individuals to report doxxing or hate speech to relevant agencies or law enforcement.
- Community Support: Displaced, harassed, or otherwise endangered trans individuals have found supportive networks on sites like Reddit, Twitter, and specialized forums focusing on trans well-being. These spaces remind people they are not alone and that resources exist.
Collective resistance showcases a vital truth: A single website cannot overpower the collective empathy, resourcefulness, and resolve of an entire community that chooses to stand together.
Policy Reforms and Future Outlook
The prevalence of harmful online activity like doxxing and transphobic harassment highlights a gap in current legal and technological frameworks. Many governments are now beginning to address these gaps more explicitly:
- Targeted Cyberharassment Legislation: Laws specifically addressing cyberharassment, doxxing, and hate speech on digital platforms are slowly emerging in various countries. Advocacy groups continue to push lawmakers to adopt and enforce stronger statutes.
- Corporate Responsibility: Tech companies have come under increased pressure to remove extremist content and shut down servers used for harm. Many businesses are responding by revisiting their terms of service and swiftly deplatforming repeat offenders.
- Increasing Digital Literacy: Governments and nonprofits have introduced programs aimed at teaching digital safety practices to young people, particularly in vulnerable communities. As digital literacy rises, fewer individuals may fall prey to doxxing attempts or inadvertently share private data.
In the years to come, it is hoped that the combined efforts of legislation, advocacy, and corporate responsibility will create a safer online environment. Nonetheless, staying vigilant is paramount, especially for the transgender community, which remains a top target for online harassment.
The Bottom Line
Kiwi Farms epitomized one of the darkest sides of internet culture—where bigotry, sadism, and relentless harassment were not only tolerated but glorified. That its owner unabashedly named the business Final Solutions LLC is a stark testament to the forum’s roots in extremism. Yet, the widespread backlash against Kiwi Farms reveals that there is an equally powerful counterforce: a community bound by empathy and collective activism.
If you or someone you know has been negatively impacted by Kiwi Farms or a similar harassment campaign, remember that help is available. Professional counseling, LGBTQ+ support hotlines, legal clinics, and numerous advocacy groups stand ready to assist. Although the scars of harassment may run deep, solidarity, legal protections, and growing public awareness can ensure that forums like Kiwi Farms do not operate with impunity. By coming together in vigilance and compassion, we can make online spaces safer for everyone—trans, autistic, or otherwise—who seeks to be heard, respected, and free from fear.
