CHRISTIAN ZIEGLER, ACCUSED RAPIST, OUSTED AS LEADER OF THE FLORIDA REPUBLICAN PARTY

GLAAD: “Christian Ziegler, in addition to the appalling rape allegations against him, deployed disgusting anti-LGBTQ rhetoric to fundraise and support candidates pushing even more discriminatory legislation that helps no one. Ziegler and his wife Bridget, a co-founder of the book banning group Moms for Liberty, used their power and platforms to unleash discriminatory policies and harmful anti-LGBTQ statements, leading an epidemic of shameful book bans and school censorship policies. Every American must use their voices and votes to speak out against extremist anti-LGBTQ agendas, hold every elected official and leader accountable for their words and behavior, and speak up for everyone’s fundamental freedoms.”

(New York, NY, January 8, 2024) – GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, is responding to the removal of Christian Ziegler as Chairman of the Florida Republican Party. Ziegler was previously suspended and asked by the party to resign. He is married to Moms for Liberty co-founder Bridget Ziegler.

Recently, GLAAD amplified local community voices and leaders urging both Christian and Bridget Ziegler to resign from their posts amid allegations of rape and sexual battery against Christian by a woman who had a consensual, three-way sexual relationship with the couple.

Statement from GLAAD President and CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis:

“Christian Ziegler, in addition to the appalling rape allegations against him, deployed disgusting anti-LGBTQ rhetoric to fundraise and support candidates pushing even more discriminatory legislation that helps no one. Ziegler and his wife Bridget, a co-founder of the book banning group Moms for Liberty, used their power and platforms to unleash discriminatory policies and harmful rhetoric, leading an epidemic of shameful book bans and school censorship policies. Every American must use their voices and votes to speak out against extremist anti-LGBTQ agendas, hold every elected official and leader accountable for their words and behavior, and speak up for everyone’s fundamental freedoms.”

Bridget Ziegler, along with Tiffany Justice and Tina Descovich, founded Moms for Liberty in 2021, which targeted LGBTQ-inclusive books and curricula as well as books about race and racism. Its claims as a “grassroots group” do not align with its extensive connections to longtime national anti-LGBTQ groups like Heritage Foundation, Alliance Defending Freedom, and politicians including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Additional research:

• An estimated 4.6% of all Floridians are LGBTQ, including some 114,00 LGBTQ youth. Among LGBTQ Floridians, 24% are raising children; 30% are Latinx; and 12% are Black.

• Moms for Liberty claims to be a so-called “parental rights” group. Its views do not reflect or protect the rights of LGBTQ or ally families, families of color, and parents who want their children to receive an accurate and inclusive education. In June 2023, Moms for Liberty was designated an anti-LGBTQ extremist hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. The group has ties to white supremacist extremist organizations including Proud Boys, and Oath Keepers, who were invited to speak at the Moms for Liberty national convention in July 2023 along with presidential candidates Donald Trump, and Ron DeSantis.

• PEN America has linked Moms for Liberty and groups like it to 81% of all school districts that banned books in the 2022–2023 school year.

• In addition to opposition to LGBTQ-inclusive books and curricula as well as accurate education about race and racism, Moms for Liberty has targeted best-practice medical care for transgender youth that’s supported by every major medical association, and drag story hours, using false and inflammatory language, including harmful “groomer” rhetoric to vilify LGBTQ people.

• In November, 134 Moms for Liberty-aligned candidates ran for local school board elections nationwide; the vast majority lost their races.