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At Least 124 Attacks On Drag Events In The US This Year, Report Shows

Across the US, drag events have been subjected to at least 124 incidents of anti-LGBTQ+ protests and threats in 2022, according to a new report from GLAAD.

There are reports of attacks in 47 states. Texas and North Carolina had ten each, the highest number, followed by eight in Illinois and six in both Tennessee and California.

According to Gay Times, the majority took place during Pride celebrations in June, with the recent mass shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs not recorded in the data due to the motive not being formally declared when the report was released on November 22.

There were also a notable number in September, October, and November, which is believed to have been linked to anti-drag rhetoric being used in campaign ads for the midterm elections.

GLAAD, the report's authors, noted the concerning increase in violence, highlighting the firebombing of a Tulsa doughnut shop that hosted a drag event last month.

Attacks were not limited to small cities and towns, with a number taking place in areas with higher LGBTQ+ populations, such as New York City which saw three protest incidents.

“A number of the drag events targeted by threats and protests in person were first targeted by right-wing media outlets like Fox News and the Daily Wire, and social media accounts like LibsOfTikTok,” the report stated. “The outlets and accounts often misrepresented what would occur at upcoming drag events, spinning them as harmful to children, and protests or threats would follow.”

A total of nine legislative proposals aiming to ban or restrict drag were reviewed by GLAAD, most of which were linked to extremist politicians using false rhetoric about what happens at events such as Drag Queen Story Hour to push said bills.

GLAAD’s research was predominantly conducted using news reports across all 50 states, with the LGBTQ+ advocacy group noting that it is likely more incidents occurred that were not covered.


Read related myGwork articles here:

Five Killed At LGBTQ+ Nightclub In Colorado Springs

Remember Them: The 5 Victims Of The Colorado Club Q Shooting

Tennessee GOP Files Bill To Ban Public Drag Performances

Boise Pride Cancels Drag Kids Event After Death Threats


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