The Washington Times editor Cheryl Chumley is facing severe criticism after publishing a column that has incited outrage within the LGBTQ community and beyond. Chumley’s piece, titled “Orlando shame as boy, 11, parades in princess gown for LGBTQ crowd,” has drawn immense backlash for its derogatory language towards the parents of an 11-year-old transgender child and the use of a Bible quote that implies violence.
In her column, Chumley targeted Dempsey Jara, who made history as the youngest-ever grand marshal of the Orlando Pride parade. She lambasted Jara’s parents for affirming their child’s gender identity and allowing them to participate in the event, referring to Pride attendees as “sick, evil people” and labeling the child’s parents as “sick” and “evil.” She went further, suggesting that they would face divine retribution.
Chumley’s rhetoric escalated as she advocated for Jara’s parents to “lose custody” of their child, accusing them of “exploitation” and “abuse.” She even invoked a Bible verse, Matthew 18:6, to support her argument, insinuating dire consequences for those who “offend” young children.
The column sparked immediate outrage on social media platforms, with many condemning Chumley’s words as “unconscionable” and “hateful.” Civil rights attorney Alejandra Caraballo pointed out that Chumley had effectively called for the execution of the parents of a trans girl who served as the grand marshal of the Orlando Pride parade.
Chumley later clarified on social media that she did not call for the execution of Jara’s parents but stood by her call for their arrest and loss of custody. In response to the backlash, PinkNews reached out to Chumley for comment, to which she expressed unapologetic support for her column, citing her belief that child abuse is wrong both in her eyes and “in God’s eyes.”
The Washington Times has not yet provided a statement regarding this controversy, leaving many to question the editorial standards and values upheld by the publication in the face of such contentious content. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between conservative viewpoints and LGBTQ rights, serving as a reminder of the challenges faced by transgender youth and their families in a society still navigating issues of acceptance and equality.