Anti-LGBTQ+ 'Groomer' Narrative Jumps 119% on X, Propelled by Figures Including James Lindsay

Author and self-proclaimed anti-Communist James Lindsay recently posted a tweet stating, "OK GROOMER!", in response to a social media update from Senator Scott Wiener regarding a San Francisco Public Library event celebrating books and drag queens. This brief but highly charged statement underscores the ongoing proliferation of the "groomer" narrative, a term widely used to target the LGBTQ+ community with false accusations.

The term "groomer" has emerged as a prominent anti-LGBTQ+ slur, falsely asserting that LGBTQ+ individuals are pedophiles or threats to children. Its popularization can be traced back to a 4chan thread in March 2020, which encouraged the use of "OK groomer" as a derogatory play on the "OK boomer" meme. This rhetoric aims to foment fear and hatred, often leading to real-world discrimination and violence.

James Lindsay has been identified as a key figure in mainstreaming this controversial term. Known for his involvement in the "grievance studies affair" and his promotion of various right-wing conspiracy theories, including those related to "Cultural Marxism" and "LGBT grooming," Lindsay has actively contributed to the spread of this narrative. He was previously suspended from Twitter for pushing the "grooming" narrative but was reinstated following Elon Musk's acquisition of the platform.

Analysis by the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) reveals a significant increase in the use of the "groomer" narrative on X (formerly Twitter). Tweets mentioning the hateful anti-LGBTQ+ "grooming" narrative surged by 119% in the four months following Musk's takeover in October 2022, compared to the preceding period. This escalation highlights the platform's role in amplifying such harmful content.

The persistent use of terms like "groomer" by influential figures like Lindsay contributes to a hostile online environment for the LGBTQ+ community. Organizations like GLAAD and the CCDH have consistently warned about the dangers of this rhetoric, noting its potential to incite attacks and justify discriminatory legislation. Social media platforms face ongoing pressure to enforce hate speech policies against such content.