Several Republicans have used Pride Month to remind people where they stand on the issue of LGBTQ rights.
The influential @LibsOfTikTok Twitter account marked it by posting an epic thread of videos and posters for drag queen events at schools, libraries and other events where children might be present.
“They say it’s innocent. They say it’s just about inclusion and acceptance. They say no one is trying to confuse, corrupt, or sexualize kids. They lie.” said the opening tweet, before posting more than two dozen video clips and adverts.
~MEGA DRAG THREAD~
They say it’s innocent. They say it’s just about inclusion and acceptance. They say no one is trying to confuse, corrupt, or sexualize kids. They lie. 🧵
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) May 30, 2022
It offered zero explanation or evidence of its claim that drag queens “confuse, corrupt or sexualize” youngsters.
How about we take this to the next level?
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Despite this, one of the nearly 10,000 people/bots to share the tweet was Florida Rep. Gaetz.
Yes, Gaetz, a man reportedly under FBI investigation for sex trafficking minors (although no charges have been bought and he denies any wrongdoing), appears to be agreeing with a tweet claiming drag queens are sexualizing kids.
Related: Matt Gaetz’s future looking “not good” after latest development, says former federal prosecutor
The original thread has prompted thousands of comments. As one would expect from the followers of @LibsOfTikTok, many said they were horrified by the images of drag queens entertaining youngsters.
I’ve realized USA will collapse from inside and it is happening fast
— Ra_Bies Sins (@Ra_Bies_69) May 31, 2022
This whole thread is the greatest advert for Homeschooling.
— J-Klo (@Jay_Klo) May 31, 2022
However, others were impressed that @LibsOfTiKTok managed to assemble such an exhaustive list of events, demonstrating how widely popular family-friendly drag shows have become.
This is fantastic! Thank you for sharing a thread about all of these programs that promote inclusiveness and acceptance of kids expressing themselves and/or being exposed to a totally acceptable lifestyle. Also, have you read the Bible? Much worse stuff in there
— Elliot Bell-Krasner (@ElliotEBK) May 31, 2022
Someone has some serious FOMO. Don’t worry you can go to a show and see for yourself. BTW drag has been around forever so your not going to make it go away. Making it visible to others is just giving visibility to a marginalized group. Dancing with the Stars is no different.
— Kevin Decker (@KevDecker) May 31, 2022
@LibsofTikTok has over 1.2million followers on Twitter. In April, the Washington Post ran an investigation on the woman behind it, former real estate agent Chaya Raichik, and the account’s impact.
The account’s modus operandi is to repost videos from those on the left, usually without any context, for its predominantly right-wing audience to mock and ridicule. It has grown increasingly influential, with reporters on Fox News and Newsmax often picking up on some of the videos it shares.
Indeed, its drag thread seems to have already made waves.
One of the events it tweeted about was a family-friendly drag show in Jasper, Indiana, at Dubois County Pride later this month. Within 48 hours, organizers of that event said the drag show had been canceled. They said the decision was made due to “safety and security concerns.” Others online said the organizers had been bombarded with hateful messages following a Twitter campaign.
@LibsOfTikTok was quick to celebrate the news.
BREAKING: The drag show for kids in Jasper, Indiana has been cancelled. https://t.co/Ud8LYmM5z4 pic.twitter.com/1gqfDdNRFg
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) June 1, 2022
monty clift
How is this POS account still going?! People need to start filing libel suits asap, they are deliberately endangering lgbt lives.
ZzBomb
The owner of the account is a former realestate agent now stay at home mom out of NY, Chaya Raichik. She’s a loser who all the other incel losers currently look up to.
monty clift
I agree, but she’s a dangerous loser, that is influencing laws and emboldening her incel loser fan base to attack lgbt. We shouldn’t ignore it.
inbama
When a public relations campaign consistently produces bad results, why continue doing it?
Somehow, I grew up to be a happily gay-married homosexual without the benefit of being read stories by drag queens in my early childhood. Can someone please explain to me what huge benefit there is for children to interact with drag queens that justifies everyone in our movement being exposed to ridicule and “grooming” accusations?
radiooutmike
Just think of them as clowns or priests. You’d like them to read stories to a bunch of school age children, right?
Actually the drag queens are much better than the other two I pointed out:
1) Drag queens are way less scary than clowns.
2) Drag queens commit 100% less rape than priests.
Kangol2
Great response, radiooutmike!
monty clift
because it’s fun, Janice.
CNY1983
see what kind of lives these manson-family-values republicans have? it’s always something to hate on they learn on fox with little gay trolls like gutfeld or that asswiper waters. were going to see how things change once it hits home for these douche bags.
mailliw110
Freedom of speech for only the speech you want to hear?