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{{Short description| |
{{Short description|American far-right and anti-LGBT group}} | ||
{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}} | |||
{{Use American English|date=January 2023}} | {{Use American English|date=January 2023}} | ||
{{Use mdy dates|date= |
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}} | ||
{{Infobox |
{{Infobox organization | ||
| name |
| name = Gays Against Groomers | ||
| founder |
| founder = Jaimee Michell | ||
| location_country |
| location_country = United States | ||
| formation |
| formation = {{start date and age|2022|06}} | ||
| logo = File:Emblem of Gays Against Groomers.svg | |||
| purpose = ], ] | |||
| purpose = ],<ref name="AZ Mirror" /><ref name="auto">{{cite web|access-date=2023-09-13 |first=Matt |last=Lavietes |title='Live Laugh Lesbian': Target's cheeky Pride collection strikes again|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-life-and-style/live-laugh-lesbian-targets-cheeky-pride-collection-strikes-rcna85291|date=20 May 2023|website=NBC News}}</ref><ref name="Mackey" /> ]<ref name="Goforth 2022a"/> | |||
| website = {{URL|https://www.gaysagainstgroomers.com/}} | |||
| website = {{URL|https://www.gaysagainstgroomers.com/}} | |||
| subsidiaries = Trans Against Groomers | |||
| subsidiaries = Trans Against Groomers | |||
}} | }} | ||
{{Conservatism US|other organizations}} | |||
'''Gays Against Groomers''' ('''GAG''')<ref name="adl 2023" /> is an American ]<ref name="AZ Mirror" /><ref name="auto"/><ref name="Mackey" /> and ]<ref name="adl 2023" /><ref name="AZ Mirror" /><ref name="time">{{Cite magazine |last=Burga |first=Solcyre |date=2023-03-05 |title=Here's the Status of Anti-Drag Bills Across the U.S. |url=https://time.com/6260421/tennessee-limiting-drag-shows-status-of-anti-drag-bills-u-s/ |access-date=2023-03-19 |magazine=Time |language=en |archive-date=March 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318104751/https://time.com/6260421/tennessee-limiting-drag-shows-status-of-anti-drag-bills-u-s/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Owen">{{Cite news |last=Owen |first=Greg |date=December 6, 2022 |title=Wisconsin school board member sues over new sex-ed curriculum |work=LGBTQ Nation |url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/12/wisconsin-school-board-member-sues-new-sex-ed-curriculum/ |access-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207220029/https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/12/wisconsin-school-board-member-sues-new-sex-ed-curriculum/ |url-status=live }}</ref> organization known for campaigning against ] for minors,<ref name="AZ Mirror">{{cite web|first1=Gloria Rebecca|last1=Gomez|website=Arizona Mirror|access-date=March 3, 2023|title=GOP anti-drag bill would send performers to prison for up to 10 years|url=https://www.azmirror.com/2023/02/17/gop-anti-drag-bill-would-send-performers-to-prison-for-up-to-10-years/|date=February 17, 2023|archive-date=March 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303230551/https://www.azmirror.com/2023/02/17/gop-anti-drag-bill-would-send-performers-to-prison-for-up-to-10-years/|url-status=live}}</ref> protesting school curriculum content with LGBT themes,<ref name="Salgado"/> criticizing ] events,<ref name="Goforth 2022a">{{Cite news |last=Goforth |first=Claire |date=June 29, 2022 |title=Is 'Gays against Groomers' the new Libs of TikTok? |work=] |url=https://www.dailydot.com/debug/gays-against-groomers-new-libs-of-tiktok/ |access-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207220030/https://www.dailydot.com/debug/gays-against-groomers-new-libs-of-tiktok/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and opposing LGBT representation in children's media.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Garton |first=Nicholas |date=August 31, 2023 |title=Book-ban efforts target LGBTQ+ works. Madison libraries display them |work=] |url=https://captimes.com/news/community/book-ban-efforts-target-lgbtq-works-madison-libraries-display-them/article_c073fdef-70c2-5b70-be4e-e8c7e14f77a1.html |access-date=August 28, 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Guardian |first=Thrifty |title=Paw Patrol Spinoff Going "Woke"?: Non-Binary Character Introduced on Rubble and Crew |work=] |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/parenting/paw-patrol-spinoff-going-woke-non-binary-character-introduced-on-rubble-and-crew/ar-AA1jx1ck?apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1 |access-date=August 28, 2024 }}</ref> The group also opposes ] and being allowed in women's spaces, ] where children are present and ] during ].<ref>{{Cite tweet |author=Gays Against Groomers |user=againstgrmrs |number=1822126535651848393 |date=August 9, 2024 |title=Maintaining sex-separated sports and spaces matters because including males in something that is female-only no longer makes it female-only...it is now coed. |language=English |access-date=August 29, 2024 |link=https://x.com/againstgrmrs/status/1822126535651848393 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |author=Gays Against Groomers |user=againstgrmrs |number=1685327981336580096 |date=July 29, 2023 |title=PRIDE IS NOT FOR KIDS. |language=English |access-date=August 29, 2024 |link=https://x.com/againstgrmrs/status/1685327981336580096 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |author=Gays Against Groomers |user=againstgrmrs |number=1807085427301498907 |date=June 29, 2024 |title=These corporations aren't allies, they're opportunists. They've discovered that pandering with the "LGBTQIA2S+" alphabet soup is a way to increase their brand value and tap into a lucrative market. |language=English |access-date=August 29, 2024 |link=https://x.com/againstgrmrs/status/1807085427301498907 }}</ref> | |||
GAG began in June 2022 as a ] account created by Jaimee Michell,<ref name="Goforth 2022a" /> who had previously been employed by right-wing communications firms Arsenal Media and X Strategies and posted similar content on her personal account. The account is known for posting anti-trans rhetoric and has been compared to ].<ref name="Goforth 2022a"/><ref name="adl 2023"/> Michell filed incorporation papers for GAG in September 2022. GAG has been banned from multiple social media and payment platforms for violating rules on hate speech;<ref name="Goforth 2022b" /> the group has been promoted by right-wing media outlets such as ],<ref name="adl 2023"/> ] (OANN),<ref name="adl 2023"/> and ].<ref name="Owen"/> | |||
'''Gays Against Groomers''' (GAG) is a ] ] organization that started as a ] account created by Jaimee Michell known for posting anti-trans rhetoric. The collective has harassed school board meetings and hospitals, attended and held anti-LGBTQ rallies alongside far-right organizations, and has been banned from multiple platforms for hate speech. They are known for their use of the slur ] to portray their critics and parents and supporters of LGBTQ youth as pedophiles and have been compared to ]. The organization refers to ], ], ], and ] people as "infiltrators" and opposes ] and ] Events. It is widely promoted by right-wing media such as ] (OANN) and ]. GAG has been accused of fueling ], the public condemnation of a group that leads to violent acts against the group.<ref name="Owen">{{Cite news |last=Owen |first=Greg |date=December 6, 2022 |title=Wisconsin school board member sues over new sex-ed curriculum |work=LGBTQ Nation |url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/12/wisconsin-school-board-member-sues-new-sex-ed-curriculum/ |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref><ref name="Goforth">{{Cite news |last=Goforth |first=Claire |date=2022-06-29 |title=Is 'Gays against Groomers' the new Libs of TikTok? |language=en-US |work=Daily dot |url=https://www.dailydot.com/debug/gays-against-groomers-new-libs-of-tiktok/ |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref><ref name="Wiggins">{{Cite news |last=Wiggins |first=Christopher |date=December 16, 2022 |title=Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate Way Up on Twitter Since Elon Musk's Takeover: Study |language=en |work=The Advocate |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/2022/12/16/anti-lgbtq-hate-way-twitter-elon-musks-takeover-study |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref><ref name="Gingerich">{{Cite news |last=Gingerich |first=Mia |date=September 26, 2022 |title=Anti-LGBTQ extremists banned by PayPal are turning to Donorbox to finance their harassment campaigns |language=en |work=Media Matters for America |url=https://www.mediamatters.org/gays-against-groomers/anti-lgbtq-extremists-banned-paypal-are-turning-donorbox-finance-their |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref><ref name="adl">{{Cite web |date=January 24, 2023 |title=Online Amplifiers of Anti-LGBTQ+ Extremism |url=https://www.adl.org/resources/blog/online-amplifiers-anti-lgbtq-extremism |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=www.adl.org |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Carter">{{Cite news |last=Carter |first=Camden |date=July 6, 2022 |title=Instagram is allowing accounts to spew hate at LGBTQ people, while also claiming to support the community |language=en |work=Media Matters for America |url=https://www.mediamatters.org/facebook/instagram-allowing-accounts-spew-hate-lgbtq-people-while-also-claiming-support-community |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref><ref name="Cameron">{{Cite news |last=Cameron |first=Dell |date=2022-11-11 |title=Elon Is Re-Verifying Neo-Nazis and Selling Blue Checks to QAnoners |language=en |work=Gizmodo |url=https://gizmodo.com/elon-musk-twitter-verify-richard-spencer-jason-kessler-1849773076 |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref><ref name="Cooper">{{Cite news |last=Cooper |first=Alex |date=November 23, 2022 |title=Gays Against Groomers Blames Gender-Affirming Care for Club Q Massacre |language=en |work=The Advocate |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/2022/11/23/gays-against-groomers-founder-blames-gender-affirming-care-club-q-massacre |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> | |||
According to ] and the ], GAG uses the slur ] along with ambiguous messaging to perpetuate the ].<ref name="adl 2023" /><ref name="Wiggins">{{Cite news |last=Wiggins |first=Christopher |date=December 16, 2022 |title=Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate Way Up on Twitter Since Elon Musk's Takeover: Study |language=en |work=The Advocate |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/2022/12/16/anti-lgbtq-hate-way-twitter-elon-musks-takeover-study |access-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207220032/https://www.advocate.com/news/2022/12/16/anti-lgbtq-hate-way-twitter-elon-musks-takeover-study |url-status=live }}</ref> GAG helped organize an anti-LGBTQ rally in Florida that was attended by other far-right and anti-LGBTQ organizations such as ] and the ].<ref name="adl 2023">{{Cite web |url=https://www.adl.org/resources/blog/online-amplifiers-anti-lgbtq-extremism |url-status=live |title=Online Amplifiers of Anti-LGBTQ+ Extremism |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=January 24, 2023 |website=] |publisher= |access-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207192224/https://www.adl.org/resources/blog/online-amplifiers-anti-lgbtq-extremism |archive-date=February 7, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Owen3"/> It is classified as an ] by the ]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gays Against Groomers |url=https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/gays-against-groomers |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=Southern Poverty Law Center |language=en}}</ref> and is part of the ]. | |||
== Founding and funding == | |||
GAG was created by Jaimee Michell on June 6, 2022 in Milwaukee.<ref name="Carter"/><ref name="Salgado">{{Cite news |last=Salgado |first=Beck Andrew |date=October 28, 2022 |title=Journal Sentinel |pages=Right-wing activist groups targeted a recent Wauwatosa School Board meeting. They're 'just getting started.' |work=Journal Sentinel |url=https://www.jsonline.com/restricted/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jsonline.com%2Fstory%2Fcommunities%2Fwest%2F2022%2F10%2F28%2Fwauwatosa-schools-targeted-by-gays-against-groomers-moms-for-liberty%2F69591638007%2F |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> Prior to creating GAG, Michell was a creative designer at a right-wing marketing company, ] and her personal twitter history included content similar to that published on GAG: accusations of people being "pedos" and "groomers" and conspiracy theories about COVID-19 and the 2020 election. White Rose AFA reported that Michell has a lengthy history of promoting far-right content across multiple platforms. On YouTube she went by @youbegood, which has shared racist and Islamaphobic sentiments. Michell blamed such posts on her ex and deactivated the account shortly after White Rose AFA posted screenshots of her comment history, but has not named the ex. One comment included a link to her website, where she featured examples of her work for U.S. Representative ], ] of ], and other conservatives.<ref name="Goforth"/><ref name="Carter"/><ref name="Nast">{{Cite news |last=Nast |first=Condé |date=2022-07-01 |title=This Gay Conservative Twitter Account Is the Latest Trying to Use Drag to Stir Outrage |language=en-US |work=Them.us |url=https://www.them.us/story/gays-against-groomers-conservative-twitter-account-libs-of-tiktok |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> Michell has said that she opposes transgender equality so that straight people will not target gay people and that it is more difficult to ] as conservative than gay.<ref name="Bollinger">{{Cite news |last=Bollinger |first=Alex |date=August 3, 2022 |title=“Gays Against Groomers” Jaimee Michell compares trans health care to Nazi human experiments |work=LGBTQ Nation |url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/08/gays-groomers-jaimee-michell-compares-trans-health-care-nazi-human-experiments/ |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> | |||
== History == | |||
Michell has denied that anyone is funding the account and claims the organization is a non-profit, though its application has not been approved. In September 2022, the group filed as a corporation.<ref name="Goforth"/><ref name="Salgado"/> ] hypothesized that the heritage foundation was funding them, noting they have a budget of close to a million dollars and stating it could not have come organically from the community.<ref name="Owen2">{{Cite news |last=Owen |first=Greg |date=December 28, 2022 |title=Trans rights activist Imara Jones on the anti-trans hate machine the far right has assembled |work=LGBTQ Nation |url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/12/trans-rights-activist-imara-jones-anti-trans-hate-machine-far-right-assembled/ |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> | |||
Gays Against Groomers was founded by Jaimee Michell, a conservative lesbian who was at the time a content creator and lead designer at marketing company Arsenal Media, a conservative media organization specializing in creating viral content.<ref name="Salgado">{{Cite news |last=Salgado |first=Beck Andrew |date=October 28, 2022 |title=Right-wing activist groups targeted a recent Wauwatosa School Board meeting. They're 'just getting started.' |work=] |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/west/2022/10/28/wauwatosa-schools-targeted-by-gays-against-groomers-moms-for-liberty/69591638007/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221028171131/https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/west/2022/10/28/wauwatosa-schools-targeted-by-gays-against-groomers-moms-for-liberty/69591638007/ |archive-date=28 October 2022 |access-date=February 7, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> Michell's website featured examples of her work for conservative candidates and activists.<ref name="Goforth 2022a"/><ref name="Christopher">{{Cite news |last=Wiggins |first=Christopher |date=February 21, 2023 |title=Gays Against Groomers Is Not a Grassroots Organization: Report |work=The Advocate |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/gays-against-groomers-exposed}}</ref> Before the creation of the Gays Against Groomers account, Michell had a history of sharing far-right content, including anti-transgender content and ] conspiracy theories, across multiple platforms on personal social media accounts.<ref name="Goforth 2022a"/> Michell fervently supports ] and had previously served on the advisory board of Trump's "Trump Pride coalition" and has described Trump as a "pro-gay" politician. Leading up to the ], Michell was involved in the "]" movement.<ref name="Gingerich-Feb-2023">{{Cite news |last=Gingerich |first=Mia |date=February 7, 2023 |title=Grifter Gays: How conspiracy theorists and right-wing operatives created Gays Against Groomers |language=en |work=Media Matters for America |url=https://www.mediamatters.org/qanon-conspiracy-theory/grifter-gays-how-conspiracy-theorists-and-right-wing-operatives-created |access-date=February 12, 2023 |archive-date=February 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212010658/https://www.mediamatters.org/qanon-conspiracy-theory/grifter-gays-how-conspiracy-theorists-and-right-wing-operatives-created |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Advocate Grassroots">{{cite news |last1=Wiggins |first1=Christopher |title=Gays Against Groomers Is Not a Grassroots Organization: Report |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/gays-against-groomers-exposed |access-date=April 8, 2023 |work=The Advocate |date=February 21, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408015042/https://www.advocate.com/news/gays-against-groomers-exposed |url-status=live }}</ref> During the ], Michell posted support for the rioters on social media, including reposting content from far-right political commentator, ]. Michell also complained online about travel restrictions during the ] and mocked the ] in 2020. In May 2022, Michell began working at X Strategies, a far-right social media communications firm. The firm was founded by Alex Bruesewitz, a right-wing activist who had previously been accused of paying online influencers as young as 14 to run advertisements for the Trump "Election Defense Fund."<ref name="Christopher"/> | |||
GAG's Instagram account was created by Michell on June 6, 2022.<ref name="Carter">{{Cite news |last=Carter |first=Camden |date=July 6, 2022 |title=Instagram is allowing accounts to spew hate at LGBTQ people, while also claiming to support the community |language=en |work=Media Matters for America |url=https://www.mediamatters.org/facebook/instagram-allowing-accounts-spew-hate-lgbtq-people-while-also-claiming-support-community |access-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207220034/https://www.mediamatters.org/facebook/instagram-allowing-accounts-spew-hate-lgbtq-people-while-also-claiming-support-community |url-status=live }}</ref> The Twitter account described GAG as a "coalition of gays against the sexualization and indoctrination of children", with the purpose "to protect children from harm being done in our name and by those who have hijacked our community".<ref name="Goforth 2022a"/> The Twitter account gained 90,000 followers in a few months.<ref name="Goforth 2022b" /> In September 2022, Michell filed incorporation papers for GAG.<ref name="Salgado"/> Michell has denied that anyone is funding the account.<ref name="Goforth 2022a"/> GAG's application for tax exemption as a 501(c)(4) non-profit was approved in March 2023.<ref name="Owen2">{{Cite news |last=Owen |first=Greg |date=December 28, 2022 |title=Trans rights activist Imara Jones on the anti-trans hate machine the far right has assembled |work=LGBTQ Nation |url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/12/trans-rights-activist-imara-jones-anti-trans-hate-machine-far-right-assembled/ |access-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207220028/https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/12/trans-rights-activist-imara-jones-anti-trans-hate-machine-far-right-assembled/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In response to the accusations that they spread anti-LGBT propaganda, GAG claims that, because they are a "coalition of gay people," they cannot possibly be anti-LGBT. Additionally, they claim that any criticism of their organization is homophobic.<ref name="Christopher"/> | |||
== Activities == | |||
In September 2022, GAG launched a partner coalition called ].<ref name="tag">{{Cite news |date=September 26, 2022 |title=Jaimee Michell, who is cisgender, tells two cisgender men on Fox News that Twitter banning "trans against groomers" is "transphobic" |language=en |work=Media Matters for America |url=https://www.mediamatters.org/fox-news/jaimee-michell-who-cisgender-tells-two-cisgender-men-fox-news-twitter-banning-trans |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> | |||
The group launched a partner coalition called Trans Against Groomers in September 2022. The group was made up of a small group of conservative trans people and ] with the same positions and goals as Gays Against Groomers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 27, 2022 |title=Our Team. |language=en |website=Trans Against Groomers |url=https://www.transagainstgroomers.com/team |access-date=October 14, 2024 |archive-date=December 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227205830/https://www.transagainstgroomers.com/team |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="tag website"/> At the time of its launch, Michell used the Trans Against Groomers group as justification for why GAG is not anti-trans and claimed that those who criticized the group were transphobic.<ref name="tag">{{Cite news |date=September 26, 2022 |title=Jaimee Michell, who is cisgender, tells two cisgender men on Fox News that Twitter banning "trans against groomers" is "transphobic" |language=en |work=Media Matters for America |url=https://www.mediamatters.org/fox-news/jaimee-michell-who-cisgender-tells-two-cisgender-men-fox-news-twitter-banning-trans |access-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207192221/https://www.mediamatters.org/fox-news/jaimee-michell-who-cisgender-tells-two-cisgender-men-fox-news-twitter-banning-trans |url-status=live }}</ref> As of April 2023, the social media accounts for Trans Against Groomers are no longer active and their website is gone.<ref name="tag website">{{Cite web |date=April 10, 2023 |title=Trans Against Groomers |language=en |website=Trans Against Groomers |url=http://transagainstgroomers.com/ |access-date=October 8, 2024 |archive-date=April 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410204342/http://transagainstgroomers.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
=== Appearances in conservative and far-right media === | |||
GAG's twitter account frequently interacts with the anti-LGBT account ].<ref name="Goforth"/> | |||
In July 2023, more than 22 GAG members quit the organization after it was revealed that Michell had ties to Florida governor and then presidential hopeful, ], who the week prior had made an ad criticizing ] for his past support of LGBT people and friendly relationship with ], a conservative trans woman who had supported GAG up until that point. The ad was criticized by some GAG members for attacking Trump and lumping the LGB in with the T. Jenner claimed that not associating lesbian, gay and bisexual people with trans people is "the core significance of their group". GAG board member David Leatherwood called the ad "a slap in the face" for linking what he called "regular gay people" and "alphabet extremists who push radical woke ideology." Leatherwood also left the organization following the incident. In response to Jenner's exit, GAG posted a thread on Twitter attacking Jenner for her past support of pro-LGBTQ+ organizations and trans healthcare. Michell made a separate post calling Jenner a "fraud" and "the catalyst for the explosion of trans identifying youth".<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 6, 2023 |title='Get f*cking rekt': Ron DeSantis' 'extremely anti-gay' Pride ad shattered his anti-trans coalition |language=en |website=The Daily Dot |url=https://www.dailydot.com/debug/gays-against-groomers-desantis-ad/?amp |access-date=October 8, 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 6, 2023 |title=Gays Against Groomers Takes Hit in Membership in Wake of DeSantis's Homophobia |language=en |website=Yahoo |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/gays-against-groomers-takes-hit-123549128.html |access-date=October 10, 2024 }}</ref> | |||
In August in an interview with the far-right news channel ], Michell compared gender-affirming care to ], a nazi doctor notorious for his experimentation on Auschwitz prisoners. The Nazis destroyed ]'s ], which pioneered the scientific understanding of LGBTQ identities.<ref name="Bollinger"/> | |||
According to the ], "GAG leadership, including the group's director of chapters Mario "Presents" Estrada, has been tied to the hate group the Proud Boys, members of which have previously rallied with GAG's Florida chapter leadership."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cravens |first1=R. G. |title=Missouri AG Advances Anti-Trans Policy, Citing Disputed Whistleblower Claims |url=https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2023/03/28/missouri-ag-advances-anti-trans-policy-citing-disputed-whistleblower-claims |publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center |access-date=12 April 2023 |date=28 March 2023 |archive-date=April 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412203542/https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2023/03/28/missouri-ag-advances-anti-trans-policy-citing-disputed-whistleblower-claims |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
On November 8, Michele blamed the Colorado Spring club shooting on gender-affirming care, where a gunman killed five people, including two trans people, and injured over a dozen more. Appearing on ]'s ] show, Michell stated GAG "saw this coming from a mile away" and "the tragedy that happened in Colorado Springs the other night, it was expected and predictable, I don’t think gonna stop until we end this evil agenda that is attacking children". Carlson agreed and said "I think you're exactly right". Brandon Wolf, a survivor of the ] and press secretary of the LGBTQ+ rights group ] wrote "here's ] founder on Fox with a crystal clear threat: "The mass murders will continue until you do as you're told". GAG later tweeted "If you want to see gay rights and LGBT people continue to be attacked, just keep sexualizing, indoctrinating and mutilating kids, leave the kids alone and we'll all be left alone".<ref name="Cooper"/><ref name="Nast2">{{Cite news |last=Nast |first=Condé |date=2022-11-23 |title=This Right-Wing Activist Somehow Blamed Trans Health Care for the Club Q Shooting |language=en-US |work=Them.us |url=https://www.them.us/story/gays-against-groomers-club-q-shooting |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref><ref name="Vaillancourt">{{Cite news |last=Vaillancourt |first=William |date=2022-11-23 |title=Tucker Guest Blames ‘Evil Agenda’ for Club Q Attack |language=en |work=The Daily Beast |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/tucker-carlson-guest-says-attacks-like-club-q-wont-stop-until-we-end-this-evil-agenda |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref><ref name="Joyce">{{Cite news |last=Joyce |first=Kathryn |date=2022-11-23 |title="OK groomer" back on Twitter: Anti-LGBTQ hate gets even uglier after Colorado Springs |language=en |work=Salon |url=https://www.salon.com/2022/11/23/ok-groomer-back-on-twitter-anti-lgbtq-hate-gets-even-uglier-after-colorado-springs/ |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> | |||
], a clinical instructor at Harvard, described GAG as "a conservative funded propaganda account to push the ]".<ref name="Goforth 2022a"/> In response, GAG used Caraballo's name as a discount code in connection with the sale of anti-trans merchandise.<ref name="lgbtq-nation">{{Cite news |date=September 21, 2022 |title=Anti-trans hate group Gays Against Groomers has been banned from PayPal & Venmo |work=LGBTQ Nation |url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/09/anti-trans-hate-group-gays-groomers-banned-paypal-venmo/ |access-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207220025/https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/09/anti-trans-hate-group-gays-groomers-banned-paypal-venmo/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
In November 2022, ] tweeted that "woke doctors" should be imprisoned for "mutilating children's bodies and minds". The tweet was featured in an episode of ]' War Room, where Michell endorsed Gabbard's statement and called for gender-affirming care doctors to forcibly recieve the same procedures, saying they would "make Josef Mengele blush."<ref name="Henry">{{Cite news |last=Henry |first=Vesper |date=November 22, 2022 |title=Right-wing media want doctors imprisoned for treating trans youth, and legislators are listening |language=en |work=Media Matters for America |url=https://www.mediamatters.org/matt-walsh/right-wing-media-want-doctors-imprisoned-treating-trans-youth-and-legislators-are |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> | |||
The group strongly opposes the ] and the trans-inclusive ], saying the progress pride flag "needs to be banned in all 50 states."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Costa |first=Michael |date=Apr 4, 2024 |title=Grooming Society to Accept the Grooming of Children: GAG Strikes Back Against the SPLC's Deranged Accusations |website=Gays Against Groomers |url=https://www.radar.gaysagainstgroomers.com/post/grooming-society-to-accept-the-grooming-of-children-gag-strikes-back-against-the-splc-s-deranged-ac |access-date=August 28, 2024 }}</ref> | |||
The Dallas Express, part of a network of right-wing propaganda sites run by ], ran an ad on Facebook and Instagram promoting its article discussing GAG and their ban from Venmo and PayPal.<ref name="Carter2">{{Cite news |last=Carter |first=Camden |date=October 13, 2022 |title=Meta is still profiting off ads that use the anti-LGBTQ “groomer” slur, despite the platform’s ban |language=en |work=Media Matters for America |url=https://www.mediamatters.org/facebook/meta-still-profiting-ads-use-anti-lgbtq-groomer-slur-despite-platforms-ban |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> The far-right organization ]'s co-owner ] has retweeted and endorsed content from GAG.<ref name="Schwaller">{{Cite news |last=Schwaller |first=Shawn |date=July 26, 2022 |title=Antisemitic Propaganda Litters Redding Neighborhoods, Triggers Hate-Crime Investigation – anewscafe.com |language=en-US |work=A News Cafe |url=https://anewscafe.com/2022/07/26/redding/antisemitic-propaganda-left-in-redding-neighborhoods-triggers-hate-crime-investigation/ |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> ], an employee at Arsenal Media, has promoted GAG.<ref name="Carter3">{{Cite news |last=Carter |first=Camden |date=September 6, 2022 |title=Meta is profiting off ads baselessly slandering LGBTQ people as “groomers,” despite the company’s ban on the slur |language=en |url=https://www.mediamatters.org/facebook/meta-profiting-ads-baselessly-slandering-lgbtq-people-groomers-despite-companys-ban-slur |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> | |||
=== |
=== Suspensions and bans from platforms === | ||
By August 2022, Twitter had suspended and reinstated the social media account four times.<ref name="Goforth 2022b" /> Before ]'s ], the website's rules prohibited the use of "groomer" as an insult based on gender identity or expression under their hate speech policy.<ref name="Ring">{{Cite news |last=Ring |first=Trudy |date=October 28, 2022 |title=LGBTQ+ Rights Groups Worry Elon Musk Will Allow More Hate on Twitter |language=en |work=The Advocate |url=https://www.advocate.com/business/2022/10/28/lgbtq-rights-groups-worry-elon-musk-will-allow-more-hate-twitter |access-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207220032/https://www.advocate.com/business/2022/10/28/lgbtq-rights-groups-worry-elon-musk-will-allow-more-hate-twitter |url-status=live }}</ref> GAG responded by using code terms such as "broomer"<ref name="Burkett"/> and "gr__mer" and changing its screen name to "Gays Against Grewmers".<ref name="Goforth 2022b">{{Cite news |last=Goforth |first=Claire |date=August 25, 2022 |title=Why does Twitter keep suspending, reinstating Gays Against Groomers? |language=en-US |work=] |url=https://www.dailydot.com/debug/twitter-suspends-reinstates-transphobic-gays-against-groomers/ |access-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207220027/https://www.dailydot.com/debug/twitter-suspends-reinstates-transphobic-gays-against-groomers/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
When Elon Musk bought Twitter, GAG reverted to its old name and tweeted "OK GROOMER".<ref name="Wiggins4">{{Cite news |last=Wiggins |first=Christopher |date=November 2, 2022 |title=Elon Musk's Twitter Is 'Hellscape' for LGBTQ+ People, Critics Say |language=en |work=The Advocate |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/2022/11/02/elon-musks-twitter-hellscape-lgbtq-people-critics-say |access-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207220026/https://www.advocate.com/news/2022/11/02/elon-musks-twitter-hellscape-lgbtq-people-critics-say |url-status=live }}</ref> The group also purchased a verified badge.<ref name="Cameron">{{Cite news |last=Cameron |first=Dell |date=November 11, 2022 |title=Elon Is Re-Verifying Neo-Nazis and Selling Blue Checks to QAnoners |language=en |work=Gizmodo |url=https://gizmodo.com/elon-musk-twitter-verify-richard-spencer-jason-kessler-1849773076 |access-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207150812/https://gizmodo.com/elon-musk-twitter-verify-richard-spencer-jason-kessler-1849773076 |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2022, the account directly thanked Musk.<ref name="Cameron" /> A report from the ] found that retweets of the GAG Twitter account's posts using the word "groomer" had grown by 300% when comparing the two months before and after Musk's purchase.<ref name="Mackey"/> | |||
In September, in response to a California school district's decision to paint Progress Pride murals on all school buildings and the administration office, GAG called for a mass protest at their school board meeting.<ref name="Wiggins2">{{Cite news |last=Wiggins |first=Christopher |date=September 14, 2022 |title=Right-Wing Extremists to Protest School Board Meeting Over Pride Flags |language=en |work=The Advocate |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/2022/9/14/right-wing-extremists-protest-school-board-meeting-over-pride-flags |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> | |||
In 2022, ] banned the organization. Gays Against Groomers attempted to make new accounts on TikTok in July 2023. However, those accounts were quickly banned too.<ref name="banned"/> | |||
On September 3rd, a coalition of far-right groups including GAG, ], the ], ], the ], and ] planned a QAnon themed "Save the children" rally. The marchers were met by anti-fascists and were joined by members of QueerX, who had been separately protesting city council member ] for displacing unhoused communities after Farrell and his supporters left early.<ref name="igd">{{Cite news |date=2022-09-07 |title=“Our Community Has Grit”: An Antifascist Report from a Hot Weekend in SoCal |language=en-US |work=It's Going Down |url=https://itsgoingdown.org/our-community-has-grit-an-antifascist-report-from-a-hot-weekend-in-socal/ |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> | |||
In September, |
In September 2023, they were temporarily suspended from ] and in October 2023, they were temporarily suspended from ] for posting "anti-LGBTQ hate content".<ref name="banned">{{Cite web |date=October 25, 2023 |title=Meta suspends Instagram page of 'Gays Against Groomers' |language=en |website=GLAAD |url=https://glaad.org/releases/meta-suspends-instagram-page-of-gays-against-groomers/ |access-date=October 8, 2024 }}</ref> | ||
Additionally, as of October 2023, ], ], ], ], ] and ] have all suspended or distanced themselves from Gays Against Groomers due to the organization violating their rules on hate speech.<ref name="banned"/><ref name="lgbtq-nation"/><ref name="Daugherty2022">{{cite news |work=flvoicenews.com |url=https://flvoicenews.com/gays-against-groomers-banned-by-google-after-paypal-venmo-massive-attack-on-our-organization/|title=Gays Against Groomers Banned by Google After PayPal, Venmo, 'Massive Attack on Our Organization'|last=Daugherty|first=Eric|date=September 21, 2022}}</ref> | |||
On December 3, a group of far-right individuals including GAG, ], and ] organized and hosted a rally in Fort Lauderdale, Miami. Jordan Toste, the southeast regional leader of GAG, was one of the scheduled speakers. Approximately 20 ] were also present and flashed white power symbols during the protest. The event was promoted by OANN, Breitbart, and the ]. A counter rally of approximately 50 people was hosted including youth organizers and elected officials, who blamed such rallies on Governor ]' anti-LGBTQ politics and rhetoric. An organizer of the rally was recorded to have aggressively taunted high school students and attempted to intimidate a student organizer of the protest.<ref name="Broverman">{{Cite news |last=Broverman |first=Neal |date=December 4, 2022 |title=Gays Against Groomers Headline Anti-LGBTQ+ Rally in Ft. Lauderdale |language=en |work=The Advocate |url=https://www.advocate.com/youth/2022/12/04/gays-against-groomers-headline-anti-lgbtq-rally-ft-lauderdale |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref><ref name="Owen3">{{Cite news |last=Owen |first=Greg |date=December 26, 2022 |title=Gays Against Groomers spars with counterprotestors during its anti-LGBTQ+ rally in Florida |work=LGBTQ Nation |url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/12/gays-groomers-spars-counterprotestors-anti-lgbtq-rally-florida/ |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref><ref name="Roa">{{Cite news |last=Roa |first=Ray |date=December 5, 2022 |title=Photos: Florida trans-rights advocates outnumber anti-LGBTQ rally last weekend |language=en |work=Creative Loafing |url=https://www.cltampa.com/tampa/photos-florida-trans-rights-advocates-outnumber-anti-lgbtq-rally-last-weekend/Slideshow/14687139 |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> | |||
In June 2024, Gays Against Groomers was banned from ] for the same reason.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 25, 2024 |title=Gays Against Groomers banned from Reddit |language=en |website=The Daily Dot|url=https://www.dailydot.com/debug/gays-against-groomers-reddit/?amp |access-date=October 8, 2024 }}</ref> | |||
=== Harassment === | |||
In June 2022, GAG retweeted footage of a drag queen that was doctored to claim that they had exposed themself to children. GAG wrote "If gay rights do get rolled back, it will only be because of things like this."<ref name="Gingerich3">{{Cite news |last=Gingerich |first=Mia |date=September 29, 2022 |title=Right-wing media spread doctored footage of a drag queen to concoct fear of Pride events sexualizing children |language=en |work=Media Matters for America |url=https://www.mediamatters.org/libs-tiktok/right-wing-media-spread-doctored-footage-drag-queen-concoct-fear-pride-events |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> | |||
== Activities == | |||
In September, GAG was involved in harassing the ], which received harassment and bomb threats over their provision of gender-affirming care to minors. GAG fundraised for the harassment. Michell suggested that Washington Post reporter ] had fabricated the bomb threats.<ref name="Gingerich"/><ref name="Legaspi">{{Cite news |last=Legaspi |first=Althea |date=2022-09-15 |title=FBI Arrests Suspect Connected to Boston Children's Hospital Bomb Hoax |language=en-US |work=Rolling Stone |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/suspect-connected-to-boston-childrens-hospital-bomb-hoax-arrested-1234593896/ |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> | |||
=== Protests and rallies === | |||
In September 2022, the Castro Valley (California) Unified School District approved a student-initiated plan to paint Progress Pride flags on every school in the district.<ref name="Johns2022" /> In response, Gays Against Groomers announced their California chapter would attend a protest of the school board meeting on social media, and encouraged others to join.<ref name="Wiggins2">{{Cite news |last=Wiggins |first=Christopher |date=September 14, 2022 |title=Right-Wing Extremists to Protest School Board Meeting Over Pride Flags |language=en |work=The Advocate |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/2022/9/14/right-wing-extremists-protest-school-board-meeting-over-pride-flags |access-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207220030/https://www.advocate.com/news/2022/9/14/right-wing-extremists-protest-school-board-meeting-over-pride-flags |url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
A protester interviewed by ABC7News denied they were trying to foster a non-inclusive environment, saying, "I feel like we've been forced to talk to our kids, our young children especially about things we aren't ready to talk to them about".<ref name="Johns2022">{{cite news |last1=Johns |first1=Tim |title=Pride flag murals at Castro Valley schools cause opposing rallies |url=https://abc7news.com/pride-flag-murals-castro-valley-schools-progress-rally-at-lgbtq/12230976/ |access-date=March 29, 2023 |agency=ABC7News |date=September 15, 2022 |archive-date=March 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329192458/https://abc7news.com/pride-flag-murals-castro-valley-schools-progress-rally-at-lgbtq/12230976/ |url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Also in September 2022, the Miami-Dade School Board was considering declaring October LGBTQ+ History Month. The Board had made a similar declaration the previous year.<ref name="Wiggins3">{{Cite news |last=Wiggins |first=Christopher |date=September 8, 2022 |title=Miami-Dade School Board Rejects Naming October LGBTQ+ History Month |language=en |work=The Advocate |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/2022/9/08/miami-dade-school-board-rejects-naming-october-lgbtq-history-month |access-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207220033/https://www.advocate.com/news/2022/9/08/miami-dade-school-board-rejects-naming-october-lgbtq-history-month |url-status=live}}</ref> Before the school board meeting, Gays Against Groomers had trucks drive around the city claiming the district teaches "radical ]."<ref name="Wiggins3" /> The truck was also parked outside the board district meeting during the vote.<ref name="Cooper2022">{{cite news|url=https://flvoicenews.com/miami-dade-school-board-rejects-recognizing-october-as-lgbtq-history-month/|title=Miami-Dade School Board Rejects LGBTQ Ideology Proposal, Parents Outraged: 'Direct Violation of Our Parental Rights Bill'|last=Cooper |first=Amber |work=flvoicenews.com |date=September 8, 2022}}</ref> Ultimately, the Board decided against declaring October LGBTQ+ History Month due to concerns that a declaration would conflict with the state's ]<ref name="Cooper2022" /> | |||
On October 24th, a Wauwatosa school board meeting was infiltrated by Michell, speaking for GAG, and the right-wing group Moms for Liberty, neither of which are based in Wauwatosa. They protested the district's new human growth and development curriculum which had been approved months ago, had a 70% approval rating in the district, and was not on the agenda. Michell and Moms for Liberty accused attendees of being groomers, not actually being gay, and wanting to show explicit pictures to children, at one point bringing a 10-year-old student to tears. Both groups had advertised their plan to attend for days beforehand. Michell implied she planned to attend future board meetings and described the curriculum as "child abuse" and "grooming". Parents spoke out against the inclusion of these outside extremist groups.<ref name="Owen"/><ref name="Salgado2">{{Cite news |last=Salgado |first=Beck Andrew |date=October 28, 2022 |title=Right-wing activist groups targeted a recent Wauwatosa School Board meeting. They're 'just getting started.' |work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/west/2022/10/28/wauwatosa-schools-targeted-by-gays-against-groomers-moms-for-liberty/69591638007/ |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> | |||
On December 3, 2022, a "Protect the Children" rally<ref name="Owen3" /> was held in Fort Lauderdale, Miami.<ref name="adl 2023" /> It was organized by GAG, and it featured Moms for Liberty and Florida Fathers for Freedom.<ref name="Vecerina2022">{{cite news|url=https://flvoicenews.com/antifa-plans-to-counter-protest-protect-the-children-rally/ |access-date=26 February 2024 |title=ANTIFA Plans to Counter-Protest 'Protect the Children' Rally |work=flvoicenews.com |last=Vecerina |first=Michelle |date=December 2, 2022}}</ref> ] protesters planned to attend, requesting attendees bring "masks, signs, and rage".<ref name="Vecerina2022" /> Jordan Toste was one of the scheduled speakers.<ref name="Owen3">{{Cite news |last=Owen |first=Greg |date=December 26, 2022 |title=Gays Against Groomers spars with counter-protestors during its anti-LGBTQ+ rally in Florida |work=LGBTQ Nation |url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/12/gays-groomers-spars-counterprotestors-anti-lgbtq-rally-florida/ |access-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207220029/https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/12/gays-groomers-spars-counterprotestors-anti-lgbtq-rally-florida/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Both the rally<ref name="Owen3" /> and the counterprotest were attended by elected officials.<ref name="Broverman2022" /> Equality Florida Senior Political Director Joe Saunders claimed that high school student ] organized the counter protest and was taunted with the words "Where's Jack"?<ref name="Broverman2022">{{Cite news |last=Broverman |first=Neal |date=December 4, 2022 |title=Gays Against Groomers Headline Anti-LGBTQ+ Rally in Ft. Lauderdale |language=en |work=The Advocate |url=https://www.advocate.com/youth/2022/12/04/gays-against-groomers-headline-anti-lgbtq-rally-ft-lauderdale |access-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207220033/https://www.advocate.com/youth/2022/12/04/gays-against-groomers-headline-anti-lgbtq-rally-ft-lauderdale |url-status=live}}</ref> Equality Florida blamed such rallies on Governor ]' anti-LGBT politics and rhetoric.<ref name="Broverman2022" /> | |||
On November 17, a restaurant in San Luis Obispo received threats over advertising a 21+ drag brunch with the caption "Bring the family!" by mistake. Other establishments in the city had also received threats from the same person over drag events, including those appropriate for all ages. The message had said they chatting with one of the founders of GAG and they'd agreed to assist in advertising the event.<ref name="Rajagopal">{{Cite news |last=Rajagopal |first=Bulbul |date=December 1, 2022 |title=SLO businesses receive intimidating messages about drag performances |language=en |work=New Times of San Luis |url=https://www.newtimesslo.com/sanluisobispo/slo-businesses-receive-intimidating-messages-about-drag-performances/Content?oid=13216261 |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> | |||
In October 2023, GAG held the "Worldwide Stop the War on Children Rally," which had about a dozen attendees and garnered attention for its hateful signage which falsely accused trans people and LGBT activists of "coordinated child abuse". Three Republican Wisconsin state legislators, Reps. ], ], and ] attended the rally.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wiggins |first=Christopher |date=October 29, 2023 |title=Wisconsin Lawmakers Spotted at Far-Right Rally by Gays Against Groomers |language=en |work=The Advocate |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/gays-against-groomers-wisconsin-politicians |access-date=October 10, 2024 }}</ref> | |||
On December 19 in New York City, two members of GAG associated with the ], Erica Sanchez and D'Anna Morgan, taunted and harassed openly gay City Council member ], first at his office then at his home. The two vandalized his office and later broke into the lobby of Boettcher's apartment and left anti-gay slurs graffitied on his sidewalk. Morgan and other members of the Guardians of divinity were also present at a protest against a Drag Story Hour event in Jackson heights along ] and members of the neo-nazi ].<ref name="raw-story">{{Cite news |date=2022-12-20 |title=Two members of 'Gays Against Groomers' arrested after they wrote anti-LGBTQ slurs outside NY councilmember's office | Raw Story |language=en-US |work=Raw Story |url=https://nordot.app/977948370338840576?c=644607769890374753 |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref><ref name="Cooper2">{{Cite news |last=Cooper |first=Alex |date=December 19, 2022 |title=Protesters Storm Gay NYC Council Member's Apartment Building |language=en |work=The Advocate |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/2022/12/19/protesters-storm-gay-nyc-council-members-apartment-building |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref><ref name="Panagi">{{Cite news |last=Panagi |first=Cristina |last2=Plumb-Panas |first2=Jaume |date=2023-02-01 |title=Jackson Heights NYC Drag Story Hour Draws Defenders, Homophobes |language=en-US |work=Unicorn Riot |url=https://unicornriot.ninja/2023/jackson-heights-nyc-drag-story-hour-draws-defenders-homophobes/ |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> | |||
=== Legislative advocacy === | |||
In December, GAG also retweeted footage of Rep. ] which had been doctored to claim she supported pedophilia. Porter had spoken out against how Twitter had been used to falsely label people as pedophiles.<ref name="Mackey">{{Cite news |last=Mackey |first=Robert |date=December 16, 2022 |title=Emboldened Right-Wing Activists Spread Lies About Rep. Katie Porter on Twitter |language=en |work=The Intercept |url=https://theintercept.com/2022/12/16/viral-spread-lies-katie-porter-shows-twitters-power-amplify-disinformation/ |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> | |||
On August 19, 2022, Michell told OANN that GAG was working toward a federal ban on gender-affirming care for minors.<ref name="Burkett">{{Cite news |last=Burkett |first=Eric |date=August 30, 2022 |title=LGBTQ Agenda: Use of 'grooming' slur up 400% on social media, pro-LGBTQ groups say |language=en-us |work=The Bay Area Reporter |url=https://www.ebar.com/story.php?318522 |access-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207220029/https://www.ebar.com/story.php?318522 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
In January 2023, the head of the Arizona chapter of GAG, Robert Wallace, voiced his support for Arizona Senate Bill 1001, which would prohibit teachers and school officials from using a student's preferred pronouns without written parental permission if those pronouns do not match the student's ]. It would also permit school employees to ignore pronoun preferences if doing otherwise would violate their "religious and moral convictions".<ref name="Weiss">{{Cite news |last=Weiss |first=Elias |date=January 20, 2022 |title=Republicans Push Anti-Trans Bill Past First Hurdle in the Arizona Senate |language=en |work=Phoenix New Times |url=https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/republicans-push-anti-trans-bill-past-first-hurdle-in-arizona-senate-15389213 |access-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-date=February 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206040107/http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/republicans-push-anti-trans-bill-past-first-hurdle-in-arizona-senate-15389213 |url-status=live }}</ref> GAG was cited by Arizona lawmakers in support of Arizona Senate Bill 1030, which targets drag performances.<ref>{{cite web |last1=MacDonald-Evoy |first1=Jerod |title=Arizona Senate passes anti-drag bills |url=https://www.azmirror.com/2023/03/16/arizona-senate-passes-anti-drag-bills/ |website=Arizona Mirror |access-date=22 April 2023 |date=16 March 2023 |archive-date=March 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325145038/https://www.azmirror.com/2023/03/16/arizona-senate-passes-anti-drag-bills/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Similar legislation restricting drag performances had been introduced in at least 11 states as of February 2023.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mizelle |first1=Shawna |title=Republicans across the country push legislation to restrict drag show performances |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/05/politics/drag-show-legislation/index.html |website=CNN |access-date=22 April 2023 |language=en |date=5 February 2023 |archive-date=April 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422085608/https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/05/politics/drag-show-legislation/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
=== Legislation === | |||
On August 19, 2022, Michell told OANN that they are working toward a federal ban on gender-affirming care for minors.<ref name="Burkett">{{Cite news |last=Burkett |first=Eric |date=August 30, 2022 |title=LGBTQ Agenda: Use of ’grooming’ slur up 400% on social media, pro-LGBTQ groups say |language=en-us |work=The Bay Area Reporter |url=https://www.ebar.com/story.php?318522 |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> | |||
In January 2023, Ryan Woods, a drag artist also known as Lady ] USA, spoke on behalf of GAG in support of a ban on gender-affirming care for minors in Utah. Woods asserted that children were being groomed. Detransitioner ] also spoke in favor of the bill.<ref name="McKellar">{{Cite news |last=McKellar |first=Katie |date=January 19, 2023 |title=Ban on transgender surgeries for kids, puberty blockers headed to Utah Senate |language=en |work=Deseret News |url=https://www.deseret.com/utah/2023/1/18/23559478/transgender-surgeries-puberty-blockers-bill-utah-legislature |access-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207220032/https://www.deseret.com/utah/2023/1/18/23559478/transgender-surgeries-puberty-blockers-bill-utah-legislature |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
In Octover, GAG endorsed policies in Florida that would ban gender-affirming care for transgender youth and only allow "counselling" as a treatment.<ref name="Henry2">{{Cite news |last=Henry |first=Vesper |date=October 28, 2022 |title=Florida “Expert” formerly slated to testify in favor of trans health care ban once called to include a “P” for pedophiles in LGBTQ |language=en |work=Media Matters for America |url=https://www.mediamatters.org/gays-against-groomers/florida-expert-formerly-slated-testify-favor-trans-health-care-ban-once |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> | |||
In April 2024, GAG sued five Democrats in the ] for not allowing them the "right to deadname and misgender trans people in public testimony."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Owen |first=Greg |date=April 5, 2024 |title=Self-loathing gay group sues Colorado for the "right" to misgender & deadname trans people |language=en |work=LGBTQ Nation |url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2024/04/self-loathing-gay-group-sues-colorado-for-the-right-to-misgender-deadname-trans-people/ |access-date=October 8, 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Levesque |first=Brody |date=April 5, 2024 |title=Far-right Gays Against Groomers, others sue Colorado lawmakers |language=en |work=] |url=https://www.losangelesblade.com/2024/04/05/far-right-gays-against-groomers-others-sue-colorado-lawmakers/ |access-date=October 8, 2024 }}</ref> | |||
In January 2023, Robert Wallace, head of the Arizona chapter of GAG, voiced his support for Arizona Senate Bill 1001, which would prohibit teachers and school officials from using students pronouns unless they have written permission from parents and allow school employees to ignore them for "religious and moral convictions".<ref name="Weiss">{{Cite news |last=Weiss |first=Elias |date=January 20, 2022 |title=Republicans Push Anti-Trans Bill Past First Hurdle in the Arizona Senate |language=en |work=Phoenix New Times |url=https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/republicans-push-anti-trans-bill-past-first-hurdle-in-arizona-senate-15389213 |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> | |||
In June 2024, GAG spoke in favor of a bill in Ohio that would ban drag performers from performing in locations that are not a "designated adult entertainment facility".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Henry |first=Megan |date=June 6, 2024 |title=Four proponents testify in support of Ohio drag ban bill — including a member of a hate group |language=en |work=] |url=https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2024/06/06/four-proponents-testify-in-support-of-ohio-drag-ban-bill-including-a-member-of-a-hate-group/ |access-date=October 8, 2024 }}</ref> | |||
In November 2024, GAG voiced support for ]'s proposed bill which would ban transgender people from using single-sex facilities that differ from their sex assigned at birth on all federal property.<ref>{{Cite tweet |author=Gays Against Groomers |user=againstgrmrs |number=1859354866528944481 |date=November 20, 2024 |title=We support @RepNancyMace's move to file a new bill that protects single-sex facilities on all federal property across the country. |language=English |access-date=November 22, 2024 |link=https://x.com/againstgrmrs/status/1859354866528944481 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Costa |first=Michael |date=November 21, 2024 |title=Gays Against Groomers Supports Nancy Mace's Fight for Single-Sex Spaces |language=en |website=Gays Against Groomers |url=https://www.radar.gaysagainstgroomers.com/post/gays-against-groomers-supports-nancy-mace-s-fight-for-single-sex-spaces |access-date=November 22, 2024 }}</ref> | |||
== Reception == | |||
], a clinical instructor at Harvard, was the first to reveal that Michell was behind the account and described GAG as "a conservative funded propaganda account to push the ]".<ref name="Goforth"/> GAG used Caraballo's name as a discount code to sell anti-trans merchandise.<ref name="lgbtq-nation">{{Cite news |date=September 21, 2022 |title=Anti-trans hate group Gays Against Groomers has been banned from PayPal & Venmo |work=LGBTQ Nation |url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/09/anti-trans-hate-group-gays-groomers-banned-paypal-venmo/ |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> ] described it as a "Great Value version of the notoriously toxic ]".<ref name="Nast"/> GAG has been accused of fueling ], the public condemnation of a group that leads to violent acts against the group.<ref name="Cooper"/> | |||
=== Harassment of individuals === | |||
A spokesperson from ] stated "they are coming from a place of anti-LGBT animus and bigotry" and that they characterize "LGBTQ+ people as pedophiles falsely and maliciously with the absolutely clear intent of driving fear".<ref name="Wiggins"/> The ] described them as "an anti-LGBTQ+ extremist coalition" and stated "while GAG claims that they cannot be anti-gay or anti-lesbian as they themselves identify as gay or lesbian, ADL’s definition of anti-LGBTQ+ extremism includes any person who pushes false claims and conspiracy theories about all or parts of the LGBTQ+ community, regardless of how they personally identify".<ref name="adl"/> | |||
On December 19, 2022, gay New York City Councilmember ], who was targeted by Gays Against Groomers, was taunted and harassed at his office and later at his home. His office was vandalized, the lobby of his apartment was broken into, and anti-gay slurs were left graffitied on his sidewalk.<ref name="Einiger" /> GAG members also protested against a Drag Story Hour event in Jackson Heights alongside the ] and members of the neo-Nazi group, ].<ref name="Cooper2">{{Cite news |last=Cooper |first=Alex |date=December 19, 2022 |title=Protesters Storm Gay NYC Council Member's Apartment Building |work=The Advocate |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/2022/12/19/protesters-storm-gay-nyc-council-members-apartment-building |access-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207220032/https://www.advocate.com/news/2022/12/19/protesters-storm-gay-nyc-council-members-apartment-building |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Einiger">{{Cite news |last=Einiger |first=Josh |date=December 20, 2022 |title=2 women arrested after protesters target NYC councilmember with anti-gay slurs |work=ABC 7 NY |url=https://abc7ny.com/nyc-ny-councilmember-vandalism-erik-boettcher-drag-queen-story-hour/12591944/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |archive-date=February 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226020700/https://abc7ny.com/nyc-ny-councilmember-vandalism-erik-boettcher-drag-queen-story-hour/12591944/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
In November, an unidentified group or individual put up door hangers attacking the St. Charles Public Library and School District 303 for their social-emotional learning program. The hangers said schools and libraries are "eroding parental and constituional rights by poromoting the 'sexualalization' and and 'gender dysphoria' in children as young as preschool, yet are exempt from the prosecution!" The hangers listed resources for people including GAG and ], which has been designated by the ] as an anti-LGBTQ hate group.<ref name="Schelkopf">{{Cite news |last=Schelkopf |first=Eric |date=November 6, 2022 |title=Election door hangers attacking St. Charles school, library districts popping up around city |language=en |work=Shaw Local |url=https://www.shawlocal.com/kane-county-chronicle/news/2022/11/06/election-door-hangers-attack-st-charles-school-library-districts-popping-up-around-city/ |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> | |||
Also in December 2022, GAG retweeted footage of Rep. ] which had been doctored to claim she supported pedophilia. Porter had spoken out against the use of Twitter to falsely label people as pedophiles.<ref name="Mackey">{{Cite news |last=Mackey |first=Robert |date=December 16, 2022 |title=Emboldened Right-Wing Activists Spread Lies About Rep. Katie Porter on Twitter |work=The Intercept |url=https://theintercept.com/2022/12/16/viral-spread-lies-katie-porter-shows-twitters-power-amplify-disinformation/ |access-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-date=January 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130173312/https://theintercept.com/2022/12/16/viral-spread-lies-katie-porter-shows-twitters-power-amplify-disinformation/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
=== Social media platforms === | |||
Twitter has suspended the account four times, some of which were supposed to be permanent, but kept reinstating it. Prior to Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter, the website's rules prohibited the use of "groomer" as an insult based on gender identity or expression under their hate speech policy. GAG responded by using code terms such as "broomer" and "gr__mer" and changing its screen name to "Gays Against Grewmers". Some hypothesized that someone at Twitter was manually and repeatedly overriding the suspensions.<ref name="Burkett"/><ref name="Goforth2">{{Cite news |last=Goforth |first=Claire |date=2022-08-25 |title=Why does Twitter keep suspending, reinstating Gays Against Groomers? |language=en-US |work=Daily Dot |url=https://www.dailydot.com/debug/twitter-suspends-reinstates-transphobic-gays-against-groomers/ |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> | |||
In October 2023, the Pulaski Community School District in Wisconsin was granted a ] against the leader of the GAG Wisconsin chapter, Jose "Rocky" Rodriguez, after GAG along with the far-right Twitter account ] posted false allegations that students at one school in the district were "subjected to graphic sexualized content" by a teacher who does drag. This resulted in harassment and intimidation directed at the district, its staff, and the school board by Rodriguez.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wiggins |first=Christopher |date=October 4, 2023 |title=Wisconsin School District Gets Restraining Order Against Gays Against Groomers Leader |work=The Advocate |url=https://www.advocate.com/law/gays-against-groomers-wisconsin-allegations |access-date=October 10, 2024 }}</ref> | |||
When Elon Musk bought Twitter, GAG reverted to its old name, tweeted "OK GROOMER", and purchased a verified badge. In October 2022, the account directly thanked Musk for helping them further their agenda. Prior to Musk's purchase, tweets using hate terms averaged at most 84 per hour over a week. After the purchase, users tweeted hate speech 4,778 times from midnight to noon.<ref name="Cameron"/><ref name="Ring">{{Cite news |last=Ring |first=Trudy |date=October 28, 2022 |title=LGBTQ+ Rights Groups Worry Elon Musk Will Allow More Hate on Twitter |language=en |work=The Advocate |url=https://www.advocate.com/business/2022/10/28/lgbtq-rights-groups-worry-elon-musk-will-allow-more-hate-twitter |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref><ref name="Wiggins4">{{Cite news |last=Wiggins |first=Christopher |date=November 2, 2022 |title=Elon Musk's Twitter Is 'Hellscape' for LGBTQ+ People, Critics Say |language=en |work=The Advocate |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/2022/11/02/elon-musks-twitter-hellscape-lgbtq-people-critics-say |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> A report from the ] found that the GAG Twitter account had seen an increase of nearly 300% in their use of the slur "groomer" when comparing the two months before and after Musk's purchase.<ref name="Mackey"/> | |||
In December 2023, GAG ] Tara Lipsyncki, a drag queen and transgender activist from Utah. As a result, Lipsyncki faced "constant vitriol, intimidation, and death threats from right-wing extremists" and received "suspicious packages, constant drive-bys, and cryptic phone calls and messages". In April 2024, someone sent a bomb threat to a drag event that Lipsyncki was scheduled to attend. Lipsyncki notified local authorities about the harassment, but nothing was done. By July 2024, Lipsyncki was forced to sell her home to escape the threats and harassment.<ref>{{Cite news |last=López |first=Quispe |date=July 10, 2024 |title=Utah Drag Artist Doxxed and Harassed Until She Had to Sell Her Family House |work=] |url=https://www.them.us/story/tara-lipsyncki-drag-queen-gays-against-groomers-harassment |access-date=October 8, 2024 }}</ref> | |||
Venmo, Paypal, and Google have banned the group from raising funds on their platforms due to their policies prohibiting hate speech. As a result, GAG began to use the fundraising platform ].<ref name="Gingerich"/><ref name="Wiggins5">{{Cite news |last=Wiggins |first=Christopher |date=September 21, 2022 |title=Google Bans Anti-Trans Hate Group Gays Against Groomers |language=en |work=September 21, 2022 |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/2022/9/21/google-bans-anti-trans-hate-group-gays-against-groomers-venmo-paypal |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref><ref name="lgbtq-nation"/> | |||
=== Appearances in conservative and far-right media === | |||
In October 2022, ] accidentally leaked the emails of their "gold-badged" users, which included GAG.<ref name="Goforth3">{{Cite news |last=Goforth |first=Claire |date=2022-10-18 |title='They screwed up': Meet the p*ssed, right-wing VIPs accidentally exposed in Parler's Kanye West news blast |language=en-US |work=Daily Dot |url=https://www.dailydot.com/debug/parler-users-react-email-dox/ |access-date=2023-02-07}}</ref> | |||
In an August 2022 interview with OANN, the group's founder compared gender-affirming care to the ] by the Nazi ] doctor ]. Writing in '']'', Alex Bollinger criticized these comments, noting that the Nazis destroyed ]'s ], which "did pioneering work on understanding LGBTQ identities, including transgender people".<ref name="Bollinger">{{Cite news |last=Bollinger |first=Alex |date=August 3, 2022 |title="Gays Against Groomers" Jaimee Michell compares trans health care to Nazi human experiments |work=LGBTQ Nation |url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/08/gays-groomers-jaimee-michell-compares-trans-health-care-nazi-human-experiments/ |access-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207220027/https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/08/gays-groomers-jaimee-michell-compares-trans-health-care-nazi-human-experiments/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
On November 8, Michell blamed the ] – where a gunman killed five people, including two trans people, and injured over a dozen more – on gender-affirming care. Appearing on '']'', Michell called the shooting "expected and predictable", saying that "I don't think gonna stop until we end this evil agenda that is attacking children".<ref name="Nast2">{{Cite news |date=2022-11-23 |title=This Right-Wing Activist Somehow Blamed Trans Health Care for the Club Q Shooting |work=Them.us |url=https://www.them.us/story/gays-against-groomers-club-q-shooting |access-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207220030/https://www.them.us/story/gays-against-groomers-club-q-shooting |first=Samantha |last=Riedel |url-status=live }}</ref> Brandon Wolf, a survivor of the ] and press secretary of the LGBTQ+ rights group ], described Michell's comments as "a crystal clear threat: 'The mass murders will continue until you do as you're told{{' "}}.<ref name="Cooper 2022" /> | |||
=== Collaborations === | |||
In May 2024, Gays Against Groomers entered into a collaboration with ] to sell merchandise.<ref>{{Cite tweet |author=Cherie Currie |user=CherieCurrie3|number=1787381260937314696 |date=May 6, 2024 |title=LOVE IT! And I LOVE Gays Against Groomers! |language=English |access-date=October 28, 2024 }}</ref> Currie had begun to express ] views on social media in January 2024 and voiced support for GAG that May.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://hotmetalmag.com/cherie-currie-weighs-in-on-gender-issue/|title=Cherie Currie weighs in on gender issue|last=Mascord|first=Steve|newspaper=Hot Metal Magazine|date=January 6, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |author=Cherie Currie |user=CherieCurrie3|number=1785806996660502768 |date=May 1, 2024 |title=I LOVE Gays Against Groomers!! Absolutely the most courageous, LIFE SAVING organisations in my lifetime! See you tomorrow!! WooHoo!! |language=English |access-date=October 28, 2024 }}</ref> | |||
== Analysis == | |||
] has described GAG as a "] version of the notoriously toxic ]".<ref name="Nast">{{Cite news |date=July 1, 2022 |title=This Gay Conservative Twitter Account Is the Latest Trying to Use Drag to Stir Outrage |language=en-US |work=Them.us |first=James |last=Factora |url=https://www.them.us/story/gays-against-groomers-conservative-twitter-account-libs-of-tiktok |access-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207220028/https://www.them.us/story/gays-against-groomers-conservative-twitter-account-libs-of-tiktok |url-status=live }}</ref> Columnist Wajahat Ali has accused GAG of fueling ] (the public condemnation of a group that leads to violent acts against the group).<ref name="Cooper 2022">{{Cite news |last=Cooper |first=Alex |date=November 23, 2022 |title=Gays Against Groomers Blames Gender-Affirming Care for Club Q Massacre |language=en |work=The Advocate |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/2022/11/23/gays-against-groomers-founder-blames-gender-affirming-care-club-q-massacre |access-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207220034/https://www.advocate.com/news/2022/11/23/gays-against-groomers-founder-blames-gender-affirming-care-club-q-massacre |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
According to ], GAG characterizes "LGBTQ+ people as pedophiles falsely and maliciously with the absolutely clear intent of driving fear", perpetuating the ].<ref name="Wiggins"/> Describing GAG as "an anti-LGBTQ+ extremist coalition", the ] (ADL) has explained that "any person who pushes false claims and conspiracy theories about all or parts of the LGBTQ+ community" is an anti-LGBTQ+ extremist, "regardless of how they personally identify".<ref name="adl 2023"/> | |||
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Latest revision as of 14:42, 2 January 2025
American far-right and anti-LGBT group
Formation | June 2022; 2 years ago (2022-06) |
---|---|
Founder | Jaimee Michell |
Purpose | Far-right politics, anti-LGBT propaganda |
Location |
|
Subsidiaries | Trans Against Groomers |
Website | www |
Gays Against Groomers (GAG) is an American far-right and anti-LGBT organization known for campaigning against gender-affirming care for minors, protesting school curriculum content with LGBT themes, criticizing Drag Queen Story Hour events, and opposing LGBT representation in children's media. The group also opposes trans women competing in women's sports and being allowed in women's spaces, pride events where children are present and brands marketing to LGBT people during Pride Month.
GAG began in June 2022 as a Twitter account created by Jaimee Michell, who had previously been employed by right-wing communications firms Arsenal Media and X Strategies and posted similar content on her personal account. The account is known for posting anti-trans rhetoric and has been compared to Libs of TikTok. Michell filed incorporation papers for GAG in September 2022. GAG has been banned from multiple social media and payment platforms for violating rules on hate speech; the group has been promoted by right-wing media outlets such as Fox News, One America News Network (OANN), and InfoWars.
According to GLAAD and the ADL, GAG uses the slur "groomer" along with ambiguous messaging to perpetuate the LGBT grooming conspiracy theory. GAG helped organize an anti-LGBTQ rally in Florida that was attended by other far-right and anti-LGBTQ organizations such as Moms for Liberty and the Proud Boys. It is classified as an anti-LGBTQ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center and is part of the 2020s anti-LGBT movement in the United States.
History
Gays Against Groomers was founded by Jaimee Michell, a conservative lesbian who was at the time a content creator and lead designer at marketing company Arsenal Media, a conservative media organization specializing in creating viral content. Michell's website featured examples of her work for conservative candidates and activists. Before the creation of the Gays Against Groomers account, Michell had a history of sharing far-right content, including anti-transgender content and QAnon conspiracy theories, across multiple platforms on personal social media accounts. Michell fervently supports Donald Trump and had previously served on the advisory board of Trump's "Trump Pride coalition" and has described Trump as a "pro-gay" politician. Leading up to the 2020 United States presidential election, Michell was involved in the "Stop the Steal" movement. During the January 6 insurrection, Michell posted support for the rioters on social media, including reposting content from far-right political commentator, Milo Yiannopoulos. Michell also complained online about travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic and mocked the killing of George Floyd in 2020. In May 2022, Michell began working at X Strategies, a far-right social media communications firm. The firm was founded by Alex Bruesewitz, a right-wing activist who had previously been accused of paying online influencers as young as 14 to run advertisements for the Trump "Election Defense Fund."
GAG's Instagram account was created by Michell on June 6, 2022. The Twitter account described GAG as a "coalition of gays against the sexualization and indoctrination of children", with the purpose "to protect children from harm being done in our name and by those who have hijacked our community". The Twitter account gained 90,000 followers in a few months. In September 2022, Michell filed incorporation papers for GAG. Michell has denied that anyone is funding the account. GAG's application for tax exemption as a 501(c)(4) non-profit was approved in March 2023. In response to the accusations that they spread anti-LGBT propaganda, GAG claims that, because they are a "coalition of gay people," they cannot possibly be anti-LGBT. Additionally, they claim that any criticism of their organization is homophobic.
The group launched a partner coalition called Trans Against Groomers in September 2022. The group was made up of a small group of conservative trans people and detranitioners with the same positions and goals as Gays Against Groomers. At the time of its launch, Michell used the Trans Against Groomers group as justification for why GAG is not anti-trans and claimed that those who criticized the group were transphobic. As of April 2023, the social media accounts for Trans Against Groomers are no longer active and their website is gone.
In July 2023, more than 22 GAG members quit the organization after it was revealed that Michell had ties to Florida governor and then presidential hopeful, Ron DeSantis, who the week prior had made an ad criticizing Donald Trump for his past support of LGBT people and friendly relationship with Caitlyn Jenner, a conservative trans woman who had supported GAG up until that point. The ad was criticized by some GAG members for attacking Trump and lumping the LGB in with the T. Jenner claimed that not associating lesbian, gay and bisexual people with trans people is "the core significance of their group". GAG board member David Leatherwood called the ad "a slap in the face" for linking what he called "regular gay people" and "alphabet extremists who push radical woke ideology." Leatherwood also left the organization following the incident. In response to Jenner's exit, GAG posted a thread on Twitter attacking Jenner for her past support of pro-LGBTQ+ organizations and trans healthcare. Michell made a separate post calling Jenner a "fraud" and "the catalyst for the explosion of trans identifying youth".
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, "GAG leadership, including the group's director of chapters Mario "Presents" Estrada, has been tied to the hate group the Proud Boys, members of which have previously rallied with GAG's Florida chapter leadership."
Alejandra Caraballo, a clinical instructor at Harvard, described GAG as "a conservative funded propaganda account to push the groomer libel". In response, GAG used Caraballo's name as a discount code in connection with the sale of anti-trans merchandise.
The group strongly opposes the transgender pride flag and the trans-inclusive progress pride flag, saying the progress pride flag "needs to be banned in all 50 states."
Suspensions and bans from platforms
By August 2022, Twitter had suspended and reinstated the social media account four times. Before Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter, the website's rules prohibited the use of "groomer" as an insult based on gender identity or expression under their hate speech policy. GAG responded by using code terms such as "broomer" and "gr__mer" and changing its screen name to "Gays Against Grewmers".
When Elon Musk bought Twitter, GAG reverted to its old name and tweeted "OK GROOMER". The group also purchased a verified badge. In October 2022, the account directly thanked Musk. A report from the Human Rights Campaign found that retweets of the GAG Twitter account's posts using the word "groomer" had grown by 300% when comparing the two months before and after Musk's purchase.
In 2022, TikTok banned the organization. Gays Against Groomers attempted to make new accounts on TikTok in July 2023. However, those accounts were quickly banned too.
In September 2023, they were temporarily suspended from Facebook and in October 2023, they were temporarily suspended from Instagram for posting "anti-LGBTQ hate content".
Additionally, as of October 2023, Google, Google Pay, PayPal, Venmo, Printful and Wix.com have all suspended or distanced themselves from Gays Against Groomers due to the organization violating their rules on hate speech.
In June 2024, Gays Against Groomers was banned from Reddit for the same reason.
Activities
Protests and rallies
In September 2022, the Castro Valley (California) Unified School District approved a student-initiated plan to paint Progress Pride flags on every school in the district. In response, Gays Against Groomers announced their California chapter would attend a protest of the school board meeting on social media, and encouraged others to join. A protester interviewed by ABC7News denied they were trying to foster a non-inclusive environment, saying, "I feel like we've been forced to talk to our kids, our young children especially about things we aren't ready to talk to them about".
Also in September 2022, the Miami-Dade School Board was considering declaring October LGBTQ+ History Month. The Board had made a similar declaration the previous year. Before the school board meeting, Gays Against Groomers had trucks drive around the city claiming the district teaches "radical gender ideology." The truck was also parked outside the board district meeting during the vote. Ultimately, the Board decided against declaring October LGBTQ+ History Month due to concerns that a declaration would conflict with the state's Parental Rights in Education law.
On December 3, 2022, a "Protect the Children" rally was held in Fort Lauderdale, Miami. It was organized by GAG, and it featured Moms for Liberty and Florida Fathers for Freedom. Antifa protesters planned to attend, requesting attendees bring "masks, signs, and rage". Jordan Toste was one of the scheduled speakers. Both the rally and the counterprotest were attended by elected officials. Equality Florida Senior Political Director Joe Saunders claimed that high school student Jack Petocz organized the counter protest and was taunted with the words "Where's Jack"? Equality Florida blamed such rallies on Governor Ron DeSantis' anti-LGBT politics and rhetoric.
In October 2023, GAG held the "Worldwide Stop the War on Children Rally," which had about a dozen attendees and garnered attention for its hateful signage which falsely accused trans people and LGBT activists of "coordinated child abuse". Three Republican Wisconsin state legislators, Reps. John Macco, Nate Gustafson, and Joy Goeben attended the rally.
Legislative advocacy
On August 19, 2022, Michell told OANN that GAG was working toward a federal ban on gender-affirming care for minors.
In January 2023, the head of the Arizona chapter of GAG, Robert Wallace, voiced his support for Arizona Senate Bill 1001, which would prohibit teachers and school officials from using a student's preferred pronouns without written parental permission if those pronouns do not match the student's gender assigned at birth. It would also permit school employees to ignore pronoun preferences if doing otherwise would violate their "religious and moral convictions". GAG was cited by Arizona lawmakers in support of Arizona Senate Bill 1030, which targets drag performances. Similar legislation restricting drag performances had been introduced in at least 11 states as of February 2023.
In January 2023, Ryan Woods, a drag artist also known as Lady MAGA USA, spoke on behalf of GAG in support of a ban on gender-affirming care for minors in Utah. Woods asserted that children were being groomed. Detransitioner Chloe Cole also spoke in favor of the bill.
In April 2024, GAG sued five Democrats in the Colorado General Assembly for not allowing them the "right to deadname and misgender trans people in public testimony."
In June 2024, GAG spoke in favor of a bill in Ohio that would ban drag performers from performing in locations that are not a "designated adult entertainment facility".
In November 2024, GAG voiced support for Nancy Mace's proposed bill which would ban transgender people from using single-sex facilities that differ from their sex assigned at birth on all federal property.
Harassment of individuals
On December 19, 2022, gay New York City Councilmember Erik Bottcher, who was targeted by Gays Against Groomers, was taunted and harassed at his office and later at his home. His office was vandalized, the lobby of his apartment was broken into, and anti-gay slurs were left graffitied on his sidewalk. GAG members also protested against a Drag Story Hour event in Jackson Heights alongside the Proud Boys and members of the neo-Nazi group, Goyim Defense League.
Also in December 2022, GAG retweeted footage of Rep. Katie Porter which had been doctored to claim she supported pedophilia. Porter had spoken out against the use of Twitter to falsely label people as pedophiles.
In October 2023, the Pulaski Community School District in Wisconsin was granted a restraining order against the leader of the GAG Wisconsin chapter, Jose "Rocky" Rodriguez, after GAG along with the far-right Twitter account Libs of TikTok posted false allegations that students at one school in the district were "subjected to graphic sexualized content" by a teacher who does drag. This resulted in harassment and intimidation directed at the district, its staff, and the school board by Rodriguez.
In December 2023, GAG doxxed Tara Lipsyncki, a drag queen and transgender activist from Utah. As a result, Lipsyncki faced "constant vitriol, intimidation, and death threats from right-wing extremists" and received "suspicious packages, constant drive-bys, and cryptic phone calls and messages". In April 2024, someone sent a bomb threat to a drag event that Lipsyncki was scheduled to attend. Lipsyncki notified local authorities about the harassment, but nothing was done. By July 2024, Lipsyncki was forced to sell her home to escape the threats and harassment.
Appearances in conservative and far-right media
In an August 2022 interview with OANN, the group's founder compared gender-affirming care to the experiments on Auschwitz prisoners by the Nazi SS doctor Joseph Mengele. Writing in LGBTQ Nation, Alex Bollinger criticized these comments, noting that the Nazis destroyed Magnus Hirschfeld's Institute of Sexology, which "did pioneering work on understanding LGBTQ identities, including transgender people".
On November 8, Michell blamed the Colorado Springs nightclub shooting – where a gunman killed five people, including two trans people, and injured over a dozen more – on gender-affirming care. Appearing on Tucker Carlson Tonight, Michell called the shooting "expected and predictable", saying that "I don't think gonna stop until we end this evil agenda that is attacking children". Brandon Wolf, a survivor of the Orlando nightclub shooting and press secretary of the LGBTQ+ rights group Equality Florida, described Michell's comments as "a crystal clear threat: 'The mass murders will continue until you do as you're told'".
Collaborations
In May 2024, Gays Against Groomers entered into a collaboration with Cherie Currie to sell merchandise. Currie had begun to express gender-critical views on social media in January 2024 and voiced support for GAG that May.
Analysis
Them.us has described GAG as a "Great Value version of the notoriously toxic Libs of TikTok". Columnist Wajahat Ali has accused GAG of fueling stochastic terrorism (the public condemnation of a group that leads to violent acts against the group).
According to GLAAD, GAG characterizes "LGBTQ+ people as pedophiles falsely and maliciously with the absolutely clear intent of driving fear", perpetuating the LGBT grooming conspiracy theory. Describing GAG as "an anti-LGBTQ+ extremist coalition", the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has explained that "any person who pushes false claims and conspiracy theories about all or parts of the LGBTQ+ community" is an anti-LGBTQ+ extremist, "regardless of how they personally identify".
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