As of Wednesday, April 29, 2026 the event pages of Slvt Chvrch La (@slvtchurchla) and Matterz Presents (@matterzpresents) have been taken down without warning or potential for human-to-human customer service/appeal.

First @slvtchurchla (an event page) was suspended for “suspicion of human trafficking” and “exploitation” which are wholly untrue and inaccurate claims.

All of the Instagram accounts of owner La Deva Arazel were suspended as a result of this (@ladevaarazel & @inverted.chaos.wheel their art account). This is the second time they’ve been targeted with these claims with no proof in recent years. Their previous account was never reinstated.

The Matterz Presents page was subsequently included in this take down and suspended for “following an account that does not comply with community guidelines.”

Our cabaret events cater to the erotic arts and are both created by and to platform black & indigenous, queer, femme, gender nonconforming, and alternative folk and their art. Because we understand the sensitive nature of this work, we have gone to great lengths to keep social media flyers and performance videos compliant with the so-called policies & guidelines for our and our community’s safety.

But Meta has been proven time and time again to be discriminatory in their regulation practices, targeting mostly BIPOC content creators, queer hubs, swers, and any content deemed not “family friendly” by it’s Ai.

This targeting and takedown comes at great harm and loss, jeopardizing the livelihood of us as creators.

Why Does This Matter?

This deplatforming is unjust as:

1. None of our accounts have ever promoted sex trafficking or exploitation in any fashion. It’s not even implied.

2. All artistic acts depicted are fully consensual & performed by adults (and have been tasteful considering other content that is allowed on the platform)

3. None of our posts would be considered “obscene” in any legal way

4. No account had any prior policy strikes or warnings which would warrant full suspension

5. Account data could not be downloaded because form to do so would not accept any accurate password (this is a problem within their system). If appeals aren’t approved all data is lost.

6. Meta can not be contacted directly without a paid Meta verified account (all forms of free contact are Ai) which itself seems exploitative

7. The appeal process is approve/denial, there is no apparent way to properly challenge these cases

This also puts currently active accounts which were affiliated with those taken down, in danger, including those we might still use to inform our community of what’s occurred. As full-time freelancers, this puts our income & resources at risk. Furthermore, it impacts our performers, cast, and crew who we support & invest in directly through our work.

Our events have hosted hundreds of attendees and platformed artists directly from the community on the East & West Coasts in only one year. And thousands were tapped in with us on our combined socials. This sudden halt affects not just us, but the community we directly serve and are building.

Our Next Steps

Instagram, was our primary form of communication, promotion, and connection. But this potential for deplatforming exists on almost all corporate owned social media platforms. Therefore, we will be taking steps to diversify.

Regardless of if reinstatement happens or is possible, La Deva Arazel and Slvt Church will not be wholly returning to the Instagram. Matterz Presents will also be shifting.

All event planning, curation, marketing, and hosting are done by us two and comes directly out of our pockets.

This sudden disruption means less time and resources can be spent on upcoming events (which may need to be postponed) and must be redirected to website development, newsletter lists, in-person marketing plans & resources, researching (and potentially paying for) alternate platforms, rescheduling booked venue dates and performers, finding more freelance gigs in the meantime to cover the losses, and more. For both Slvt Chvrch and Matterz Presents, respectively.

All while still trying to pay rent, keep the lights on, and maintain health (as we are both neurodivergent with chronic illnesses that need consistent addressing).

The Ask

If you are willing and able, we ask that you offer what you can as we pivot. Your support will help cover necessary resources, sudden losses, and cost of living over the next few uncertain weeks.

From a Sagittarius & Aquarius who hate asking for helping but know that’s what community is for

With magick & gratitude,

Hydra & La Deva Arazel