Gays Against Groomers

Gays Against Groomers
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Name	Gays Against Groomers
Formation	2022
Type	Political organization
Headquarters	United States
Region served	United States, United Kingdom
Leader title	Spokespeople

Gays Against Groomers Gays Against Groomers is a politically conservative advocacy group founded in 2022 that mobilizes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer-identifying individuals and allies in opposition to certain policies related to transgender rights, education, and child welfare. The group has been active in public demonstrations, digital campaigns, and partnerships with conservative think tanks, influencing debates involving legislators, media outlets, and advocacy organizations across the United States and the United Kingdom.

Background and Origins

Gays Against Groomers emerged during a period of heated public debate involving Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Ron DeSantis, Greg Abbott, and other prominent politicians, connecting to broader movements exemplified by groups such as Alliance Defending Freedom, Family Research Council, Human Rights Campaign, Log Cabin Republicans, and Stonewall (UK). Founders and early organizers drew on networks associated with PragerU, Turning Point USA, Heritage Foundation, Cato Institute, and American Conservative Union activists, while intersecting with conservative media platforms including Fox News, The Daily Wire, Newsmax, Breitbart News, and The Spectator. The organization’s formation intersected with legislative activity in states like Florida, Texas, Tennessee, Arizona, and South Dakota, and with campaigns around events such as the 2022 United States elections and the 2024 United States presidential election cycle.

Ideology and Positions

The group articulates positions opposing gender-affirming care for minors, opposing transgender participation in youth sports, and opposing inclusive curricula in schools, aligning rhetorically with figures and institutions such as Maggie Hassan, Kari Lake, Nikki Haley, Matt Gaetz, and Marjorie Taylor Greene. They frame their platform in contrast to positions held by organizations like GLAAD, Lambda Legal, ACLU, and Human Rights Campaign; they have engaged in public debates with activists from Elliot Page, Laverne Cox, Rachel Maddow, and Anderson Cooper. Policy references invoked by the group include laws and rulings from bodies such as the Supreme Court of the United States, state legislatures of Texas Legislature, Florida Legislature, and regulatory guidance from agencies like the Department of Education (United States) in disputes similar to cases involving Carson v. Makin and Bostock v. Clayton County.

Activities and Campaigns

The group has organized protests, marches, social media blitzes, and ad campaigns targeting events and institutions including New York City, London, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Tampa, universities such as Harvard University, Yale University, University of California, Berkeley, and cultural institutions like Broadway (theatre district), The Tate Modern, and National Theatre. They have participated in hearings before state bodies including the Florida Board of Education and testified in legislative committees in states including Missouri, Indiana, and Idaho. Campaign alliances and appearances have intersected with figures from Republican National Committee, Conservative Political Action Conference, National Review, and personalities such as Ben Shapiro, Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, Joe Rogan and Jordan Peterson. Their digital outreach uses platforms operated by Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, and has prompted moderation actions from companies such as Meta Platforms, Alphabet Inc., and X (social network). Fundraising and legal support have sometimes involved entities like Americans for Prosperity, Susan B. Anthony List, Alliance Defending Freedom, and individual donors associated with families like Koch family and philanthropists referenced in public discourse such as Peter Thiel.

Controversies and Criticism

The organization has been described as controversial by advocacy groups and public figures including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Out (magazine), The Guardian, New York Times, Washington Post, and commentators such as Paul Krugman and Ta-Nehisi Coates, who have criticized their rhetoric and tactics. Opponents have accused them of contributing to stigmatization, echoing debates involving cases tied to institutions like Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Boston Children's Hospital, and controversies seen in jurisdictions such as Sweden, Denmark, and Australia where medical protocols for minors have been scrutinized. Critics have pointed to endorsements or use of messaging similar to campaigns by CitizenGO, Alliance Defending Freedom, and sections of Christian Coalition networks, while supporters compare their stance to historical conservatism linked to figures like Edmund Burke and modern commentators including George Will.

Legal and Political Impact

Gays Against Groomers has influenced legislation and election narratives tied to ballot measures and statutes such as those considered in Idaho, Arkansas, Alabama, and Florida, and has been cited in testimony before committees in the United States Senate and various state legislatures. Their involvement intersected with litigation strategies used in cases before courts including state supreme courts and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and impacted administrative rulemaking at agencies analogous to disputes seen in Department of Education (United States), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and state departments of health. Political effects have been evident in campaigning by candidates for offices like Governor of Florida, United States House of Representatives, and United States Senate, with messaging appearing in advertisements alongside those from groups such as National Republican Congressional Committee and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Public and Media Reception

Media coverage ranges from supportive segments on outlets like Fox News, The Daily Wire, and Daily Mail to critical reporting by The New York Times, BBC News, The Washington Post, CNN, and MSNBC. Public response has included endorsements and condemnations from a wide spectrum of organizations and individuals including GLAAD, Lambda Legal, PFLAG, SPLC, National Center for Transgender Equality, as well as conservative commentators and institutions like Heritage Foundation and American Family Association. Cultural reactions have emerged in arts and entertainment circles represented by events such as DragCon, Pride Parade, and debates over performances in venues like Lincoln Center and festivals such as Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Category:Political organizations in the United States