Libs of TikTok began as an anonymous troll account. Now it’s one of the most influential political forces in America – with the LGBTQ community firmly in their crosshairs.
Unmasked by a Washington Post investigation, Libs of TikTok is run by a former real-estate agent, Chaya Raichik, who has become the darling of the American right.
Her strategy is to repost footage from literal “libs of tik tok”, (namely LGBTQ people and their allies), and share it with her audience. Often framing it as a giant threatening movement that is “coming for your kids”. However, initial research shows that one in four accounts featured on her page will go on to experience real or online harassment.
But this online fear mongering is not happening in a vacuum. In the Statesm Anti-LGBTQ violence is at an all time high and it is being driven by the “groomer conspiracy”. A baseless claim that the LGBTQ community is indoctrinating, sexualizing and/or grooming children.
Now a whole ecosystem of right-wing influencers have sprung up to propagate this conspiracy. And they are having a direct influence on governors, legislation and violent extremists.
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