Contact: press@glaad.org
Join GLAAD and take action for acceptance.
Trending
- Dylan Efron Presents GLAAD Media Awards For Reality TV To ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ and ‘Real Housewives of New York City’
- WATCH: Doechii Accepts the Award for Outstanding Music Artist at The 36th Annual GLAAD Media Awards
- More GLAAD Media Awards winners, including “Heartstopper,” The Advocate, “The View”, Durand Bernarr, “My Old Ass” and more
- The GLAAD Wrap: “Janis Ian: Breaking Silence” in Theaters, Trailers for “Andor,” “Étoile,” and “My Happy Place,” New Music from Kesha, Maren Morris, and More!
- Top Moments at the 36th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles!
- LIVE UPDATES: 36th Annual GLAAD Media Awards Winners
- Star-Studded 4th Annual #GLAADHonors Gathers Queer Black & Brown Leaders in Entertainment Ahead of 36th GLAAD Media Awards
- Star-Studded 2025 Latine Honors Lifts Up Queer Latine Representation Across Entertainment Ahead of 36th GLAAD Media Awards
GLAAD STATEMENT ON FBI ALERT REGARDING ANTI-LGBTQ AND RACIST TEXT MESSAGING CAMPAIGNS
GLAAD: “All leaders and public figures must speak out against behavior and words that make every American less safe, and work to strengthen protections for all communities under attack. Anti-LGBTQ politicians cannot choose silence over safety. Americans can and should follow the ball here: these horrific texts come on the heels of a right wing smear campaign that targeted and dehumanized transgender people. LGBTQ people and all marginalized people deserve safety and protection from dangerous and disgusting rhetoric and intimidation tactics.”
(November 18, 2024 – New York, NY) GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, is responding to an FBI alert about texting campaigns against LGBTQ people and against other marginalized Americans.
The FBI issued a statement on November 15th and included details of the text campaigns that have expanded from racist texts targeting Black people to “high school students, as well as both the Hispanic and LGBTQIA+ communities. Some recipients reported being told they were selected for deportation or to report to a re-education camp. The messages have also been reported as being received via email communication.”
“Re-education camps” may allude to the discredited and dangerous practice of so-called “conversion therapy” which is now banned in at least 22 states and 115 municipalities.
The FBI urges anyone who has received the harassing messages to report the details to the FBI by phone at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or online at tips.fbi.gov.
GLAAD has documented the anti-LGBTQ rhetoric of politicians and groups supporting them on the GLAAD Accountability Project, including rhetoric and policy proposals suggested before and during the 2024 election.
Research on the multi-million dollar surge of anti-transgender campaign ads shows they did not motivate voter choices, but did undermine support for transgender people.
Additional analysis shows a dramatic rise post-election violent and harassing messages aimed at women and girls online and in schools.
Statement from GLAAD President and CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis:
“All leaders and public figures must speak out against behavior and words that make every American less safe, and work to strengthen protections for all communities under attack. Anti-LGBTQ politicians cannot choose silence over safety. Americans can and should follow the ball here: these horrific texts come on the heels of a right wing smear campaign that targeted and dehumanized transgender people. LGBTQ people and all marginalized people deserve safety and protection from dangerous and disgusting rhetoric and intimidation tactics.”
GLAAD tracks anti-LGBTQ incidents via its ALERT Desk (Anti-LGBTQ Extremism Reporting Tracker), including reports submitted by LGBTQ people. Incidents rose by 112% over the last two years including murders, assault, bomb threats and violence. The GLAAD Accountability Project also documents false and dehumanizing anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and fraudulent text messaging campaigns of public figures and groups including American Principles Project and its executive director Terry Schilling.
About GLAAD:
GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org or connect @GLAAD on social media.
Add A Comment
Related posts
Share this
Join GLAAD and take action for acceptance.
ALERT Desk Incident Reporting
Our Picks
Topics
Don't Miss
Early voting has begun for the April 1 election for Wisconsin’s Supreme Court. Susan Crawford…