LGBTQ grooming conspiracy theory

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The LGBTQ grooming conspiracy theory is a far-right conspiracy theory and anti-LGBTQ trope alleging that LGBTQ people, and those supportive of LGBTQ rights, are engaging in child grooming and enabling child sexual abuse. Although the belief that LGBTQ individuals are more likely to molest children has no basis in fact, this stereotype has existed for decades in the U.S. and Europe, going back to before World War II.[1]

The specific use of the term groomer as a slur[2][3] to refer to LGBTQ people (particularly trans people[4] and drag queens)[5] became more prominent during partisan political campaigning in the 2020s,[6][7] where it was often used to justify anti-LGBTQ curriculum bills.[6][7] Despite originating with the far-right, the conspiracy theory regarding the supposed sexual grooming of children has been pushed by a growing number of mainstream conservatives,[8] especially in the United States.[9] The conspiracy theory has since spread among conservatives in other countries, including Australia,[10][11][12][13] Canada,[14] France,[15][16] Ireland,[17] New Zealand[18] and the United Kingdom.[19]

The Southern Poverty Law Center characterizes this trope as an anti-LGBTQ myth.[20] Aja Romano labels these ideas a moral panic.[8] There is no reliable evidence that sexual orientation minorities are likely to abuse children.[21][22][23][24] Advocates for children's rights have protested that the conspiracy theories make it difficult for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to access resources and help.[25] LGBTQ rights organizations have condemned the use of such notions as encouraging discrimination in the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, Hungary, Uganda, and elsewhere.[26]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference IntelligencerKirchick2022 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Gallagher, Aoife; Squirrell, Tim (January 16, 2023). "The 'Groomer' Slur". Institute for Strategic Dialogue. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  3. ^ Smith, Dale (December 22, 2023). "Court rules that 'groomer' is a slur, not protected speech". Xtra Magazine. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference :12 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Korducki, Kelli María (December 8, 2022). "Why the Far Right Is Fixated on Drag Queens". The Atlantic. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Tenbarge, Kat (April 19, 2022). "False online accusations of 'grooming' against LGBTQ people are spiking, experts say". NBC News. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Grant, Melissa Gira; Yearwood, Lori Teresa; Yearwood, Lori Teresa; Bacharach, Jacob; Bacharach, Jacob (March 17, 2022). ""Grooming" Is Republicans' Cruel New Buzzword for Targeting Trans Kids". The New Republic. ISSN 0028-6583. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  8. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference VoxRomano2022 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Ellen, Ransey (November 8, 2022). "Senator accuses ABC of 'grooming children' over drag queen story time". The Australian. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  11. ^ Chan, Esther (May 16, 2023). "Transgender grooming conspiracy theory spreads to Australia". www.rmit.edu.au. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  12. ^ Robertson, Joshua (January 12, 2017). "One Nation candidates push anti-gay messages and Port Arthur conspiracy theory". The Guardian.
  13. ^ "Sydney rapper Spanian dropped by management following homophobic and transphobic rants". NME. March 2023.
  14. ^ Cite error: The named reference :6 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  15. ^ "Polémique autour des élèves transgenres : "C'est criminel", affirme Eric Zemmour, Jean-Michel Blanquer lui répond".
  16. ^ "Eric Zemmour veut une loi pour interdire les associations "LGBT, féministes, antiracistes" dans les écoles". June 9, 2022.
  17. ^ "Roderic O'Gorman subjected to 'daily abuse' over his sexuality". March 12, 2023.
  18. ^ "Mayor slams groomer sign at Pride event as 'bigotry masquerading as concern'". September 2023.
  19. ^ Cite error: The named reference inews was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  20. ^ "10 Anti-Gay Myths Debunked". Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  21. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  22. ^ Cite error: The named reference herek was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  23. ^ Cite error: The named reference :14 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  24. ^ Cite error: The named reference :15 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  25. ^ Keveney, Bill (May 2, 2022). "Weaponized grooming rhetoric is taking a toll on LGBTQ community and child sex abuse survivors". Phys.org. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  26. ^ Cite error: The named reference :10 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).