In a chilling revelation, a new report by queer media watchdog organization GLAAD and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has shed light on a distressing surge of anti-LGBTQ+ hate and extremism during Pride 2023, with the number of incidents tripling in comparison to the previous year. The report, spanning from June 2022 to April 2023, uncovered a staggering total of 356 anti-LGBTQ+ incidents, including 305 cases of harassment, 40 acts of vandalism, and 11 assaults, raising serious concerns about the safety and well-being of LGBTQ+ communities across the nation.
The incidents documented in the report encompassed a wide range of violence and hostility, underscoring the magnitude of the issue. Tragic events such as the deadly Club Q shooting and the murder of a lesbian woman at a gas station were among the grim headlines, alongside alarming instances of vandalism targeting Pride flags and threatening bomb alerts sent to LGBTQ+-associated venues. The hatred further manifested in public protests against inclusive brands like Target, as well as death threats directed at doctors and politicians.
Of significant concern, the report highlighted that 138 of the incidents involved drag events and performers, while 33 were related to schools and educators, 23 to healthcare facilities and providers, and 22 to government buildings and elected officials. The rise in anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment can be partly attributed to right-wing groups claiming that drag performers, LGBTQ+-inclusive educators, gender-affirming medical professionals, and supportive politicians aim to “groom” and “sexualize” children, making it imperative to address and counter these harmful narratives.
Disturbingly, nearly half of the reported incidents were perpetrated by individuals affiliated with extremist groups like the Proud Boys and Patriot Front. Moreover, 128 of the incidents included antisemitic tropes, while 30 incorporated racist tropes, exposing the intersectionality of hatred toward LGBTQ+ individuals with that against Jewish and non-white communities.
The report also acknowledged the likelihood of significant underreporting of anti-LGBTQ+ hate and extremism incidents, which indicates that the true numbers might be even higher than those documented. GLAAD president and CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis, expressed deep concern over the escalating extremism directed at LGBTQ+ people and emphasized the need for accountability, especially when such rhetoric is employed by elected officials.
In response to these alarming trends, the Western States Center, an anti-bigotry organization, provided a guide titled “Protecting Pride,” offering strategies to safeguard events from extremist hate. The guide advocates forming a strong coalition of partnerships with various entities, coordinating with law enforcement to monitor and document online and local extremist threats, developing safety response plans for organizers and attendees, and effectively using media spokespeople to counter extremist claims.
The report’s findings serve as a critical wake-up call for society to address the escalating threat of anti-LGBTQ+ hate and extremism, urging collective action to create a safer and more inclusive world for all.