Jump to content

Libs of TikTok

Page semi-protected
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

@libsoftiktok
FormationApril 2021
FounderChaya Raichik
Founded atUnited States
AffiliationsFar-right politics,[a] anti-LGBT rhetoric[b]

Libs of TikTok is a handle for various far-right[a] and anti-LGBT[b] social-media accounts operated by Chaya Raichik (/ˈxɑːjə ˈraɪtʃɪk/ KHAH-yə RY-chik),[10] a former real estate agent.[11][12][13] Raichik uses the accounts to repost content created by left-wing and LGBT people on TikTok, and on other social-media platforms, often with hostile, mocking, or derogatory commentary.[14][15] The accounts promote hate speech and transphobia, and spread false claims, especially relating to medical care of transgender children.[16][14][17][18] The Twitter account, also known by the handle @LibsofTikTok, has over 3.5 million followers as of September 2024[19][20][21] and has become influential among American conservatives and the political right.[12][15][22] Libs of TikTok's social-media accounts have received several temporary suspensions and a permanent suspension from TikTok.[23][24][25][26]

Some Libs of TikTok posts have resulted in harassment against teachers, medical providers, children's hospitals, libraries, LGBT venues,[12][27][28][29] and educational facilities, several of which received bomb threats after being featured on a post.[30][31] Libs of TikTok posts regularly slur LGBT people, as well as those who provide mental-health services to LGBT youth and LGBT sex education to students, as "groomers".[c] Its followers "routinely attack individuals whose content is shared",[23] and several dozen incidents of online or real-life threats and harassment against a range of targets, including 21 bomb threats, have been linked to Libs of TikTok's tweets, especially those where Raichik singles out specific events, locations or people.[31][34][35]

Raichik created the Twitter account in November 2020, and, after adopting a series of different handles, she changed its name to @LibsofTikTok in April 2021. Later that year, the account began receiving media attention, including from conservative commentators and news outlets. Raichik remained anonymous until her identity was revealed in April 2022 by software developer Travis Brown and The Washington Post journalist Taylor Lorenz.[24] In August 2022, Libs of TikTok received substantial media attention after falsely claiming that gender-affirming hysterectomies were being provided to minors at the Boston Children's Hospital and at the Children's National Hospital. This resulted in harassment campaigns, including bomb threats, against both hospitals.[16] Libs of TikTok's videos have also been promoted by Russian and European disinformation networks, particularly a Kremlin-backed anti-LGBTQ disinformation campaign.[36]

Account history

Inception and original content (November 2020 – June 2021)

Chaya Raichik
Chaya Raichik in 2023
Member of the Oklahoma Library Advisory Board
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 23, 2024
Personal details
Born (1995-01-02) January 2, 1995 (age 29)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Political partyRepublican

In November 2020, Raichik created a Twitter account with the handle @shaya69830552, which she later changed to @shaya_ray. According to The Daily Dot, "in its early days, [the account] primarily existed as a reply account that routinely showed up in the comments of prominent conservatives on Twitter."[37] Under these prior handles, Raichik downplayed the severity of COVID-19, promoted the disproven conspiracy theory that the 2020 United States presidential election was stolen from Donald Trump through election fraud, and made posts showing that she was present at the 2021 United States Capitol attack. Raichik criticized the law enforcement officers at the Capitol. She tweeted that she did not enter the Capitol building like "a few crazy people" had and called the breach "mostly peaceful", and she later favorably compared the attack to a Black Lives Matter protest.[32][24] As of early 2021, the account had less than 1,000 followers.[27]

The account's handle was later changed to @cuomomustgo, focusing on demanding the resignation of then-Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo following the sexual harassment allegations levied against him. Raichik also used the account to advocate for the recall of California Governor Gavin Newsom. By March 2021, the handle had changed to @houseplantpotus, a parody account tweeting as a houseplant in the White House during the presidency of Joe Biden. On April 19, 2021, Raichik adopted the moniker @libsoftiktok, promising to "help you find your daily dose of cringe".[14][24][32] In May and June 2021, before and during Pride Month, Libs of TikTok started posting anti-LGBT commentary, including her first tweet promoting the LGBT grooming conspiracy theory.[14] The account's early reposts also included reposts of videos by progressives about Anthony Fauci and vaccinations that it deemed cringeworthy.[14] Slate linked Libs of TikTok's early success to "shamelessly tagging alt-right and far-right heavy hitters on Twitter, a strategy she continues to use to this day".[14]

Media attention (August 2021 – April 2022)

By August 2021, Libs of TikTok had amassed around 65,000 followers. In August 2021, podcaster Joe Rogan began promoting @LibsofTikTok on The Joe Rogan Experience, leading to a large increase in followers. That same month, lawyer and Republican Party operative Grant Lally filed a trademark for Libs of TikTok as a "news reporter service".[15][24] The account has been promoted by Donald Trump Jr., journalist Glenn Greenwald and political commentators Tucker Carlson, Jesse Watters and Laura Ingraham; has been featured in the New York Post, The Federalist, The Post Millennial, Fox News and in other right-wing news outlets; and its posts have been retweeted by Meghan McCain.[24][32][38]

Prior to being revealed as the account creator, Raichik was interviewed anonymously on several occasions, during which she boasted that posts from the account led to the firings of several teachers. Raichik encouraged followers to join local school boards in order to remove teachers who teach about gender and sexuality.[24] Raichik told the New York Post that "I don't do this for money or fame" and "I'm not some politician or blue-check journalist."[37]

Identity revelation (April 2022)

In April 2022, details began to surface about Libs of TikTok's identity. Raichik had registered the domain name LibsofTikTok.us earlier in October 2021; .us domains do not allow for anonymous registration, meaning Raichik's full name and other information was listed publicly on the WHOIS record for the domain. This enabled software developer Travis Brown to name Raichik as the account's creator in early April 2022.[24][39]

On April 19, 2022, The Washington Post published an article by journalist Taylor Lorenz which further publicized Raichik's identity, noting that she worked in real estate in Brooklyn and that she was "proudly" Orthodox Jewish. These details were scraped from early iterations of the Libs of TikTok Twitter account.[24] The online version of the article initially included a link to Raichik's real estate license, although it was later removed.[40]

Lorenz's article was controversial, particularly among American conservatives, and she was criticized for her methods in reporting the piece,[38][41] for revealing Raichik's identity at all, for antisemitism (having mentioned Raichik's claim regarding her faith), and for hypocrisy (having previously spoken out against online harassment).[42][3][43] Some critics accused Lorenz of doxxing Raichik, though Lorenz countered that Raichik's information had already been publicly available.[42][44] Lorenz and The Washington Post stood by the reporting.[42] Cameron Barr, a senior managing editor at The Washington Post, wrote in a statement that the Post "did not publish or link to any details about [Raichik's] personal life",[38] though Raichik noted that a home address was listed on the real-estate license the article originally linked to.[40] Lorenz said that her critics are trying to "sow doubt and discredit journalism".[45]

Raichik personally accused Lorenz of doxxing[46] and of violating her right to free speech,[44] though she vowed she would "never be silenced".[46][47] The following month, Raichik tweeted that she had "received about a dozen death threats", including threats from people threatening to throw a pipe bomb into her house.[48][49] Lorenz also reported that she faced personal backlash, noting that, in response to the article, her "whole family" had been doxxed, and that "trolls [then] moved on to doxxing and stalking any random friends I've tagged on Instagram".[50]

The Libs of TikTok account gained 200,000 followers the day after The Washington Post's story was published.[51][16]

Lorenz arranged an interview two years after The Washington Post article, during which Raichik argued against gender-affirming care[52] and discussed whether Raichik counted herself as a public figure with regard to her outing.[53]

Content

Further information: 2020s anti-LGBT movement in the United States

Libs of TikTok has been described as right-wing,[22][26][54] conservative,[55][56] far-right,[a] extreme right-wing,[57] and extremist.[58] The Times of London described the account as a "Twitter provocateur".[15] The account is generally devoted to reposting content from left-leaning social-media accounts that sparks outrage among its right-wing followers.[59][60] The reposted videos are most often LGBT-related.[60]

Drag-show-related content

Raichik contends that adults teaching children about LGBT identities is abusive and constitutes child grooming.[24][32] She often uses Libs of TikTok to publicize LGBT events either involving or aimed at youth, and, on more than one occasion, some of these events have been targeted by right-wing extremists. Raichik has claimed that being gender non-conforming or being an ally of the LGBT community is a "mental illness", and deliberately misgendered transgender people.[24]

In June 2022, Libs of TikTok had some of their tweets removed after they posted the locations of a drag-focused events in the United States, including at least one Drag Queen Story Hour that was geared toward preschool-aged children. That location, in San Lorenzo, California, was stormed by the Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group.[61] Pride events in Dallas and Coeur d'Alene were also targeted by right-wing extremists after Libs of TikTok posted about them; at the Coeur d'Alene event, 31 Patriot Front members were arrested before getting to their destination.[62][63] In June, a spokesperson for the Alameda County Sheriff's Office said investigators believe that the Proud Boys confrontation was caused by Libs of TikTok.[16][64] In August, NPR reported that "no conclusive link between the posts and the extremist groups' activities" had been established.[12]

The Proud Boys have also targeted or threatened to target other events Libs of TikTok has publicized, including a Woodland, California, bar's drag happy hour (which Raichik said was hosted by a "youth group" for "all ages"),[65] a drag brunch planned to benefit a local LGBT resource center in Sanford, North Carolina,[66] and a drag-queen story hour that was planned (and then cancelled) by a K-5 school in Columbus, Ohio.[67]

In November, a South Dakota State University LGBTQ student group was the target of a bomb threat being investigated by the University Police Department, after Libs of TikTok posted alleged footage of that year's annual drag event, which was advertised as all-ages. The student group and the performer at the center of the event said Libs of TikTok's video spliced together scenes of that year's event with the previous year's event, which had been age-restricted.[68]

In May 2023, it was reported that the shooter responsible for the Allen, Texas shooting had dedicated to Libs of TikTok a long screed he posted to social media denouncing Drag Queen Story Hour.[69]

Gender-affirming-care-related content

Main entrance of Boston Children's Hospital, which was targeted by Libs of TikTok with false claims about the hospital's gender-affirming care

Raichik opposes gender-affirming surgery on children, arguing that it is mass scale child abuse and that "[a]ny doctor performing these surgeries should have their license revoked. They belong in prison".[70][71]

In August 2022, on Libs of TikTok social-media accounts, Raichik claimed that Boston Children's Hospital (BCH)[72] and Children's National Hospital (CNH) were providing gender-affirming bottom surgeries to minors.[12] With the BCH-related content, Raichik included a BCH video that featured one of the hospital's gynecologists explaining the procedure.[72] USA Today,[73] NPR,[12] and PolitiFact[74] concluded that BCH claim was false. The CNH content was an audio recording with two operators who stated that 16-year-old trans boys would be eligible for hysterectomies at the hospital.[20][16][56] CNH denied the operators' statements and noted that "[n]one of the people who were secretly recorded by this activist group deliver care to our patients".[20] Several conservative outlets—including The Daily Caller and The Post Millennial—republished one or both stories.[75][22][73][54]

Both hospitals' websites featured mistaken information as to the eligibility for gender-affirming bottom surgeries: A public-facing file on BCH's website said that vaginoplasty patients must be "between 17 and 35 years of age at the time of surgery";[76] when asked about this document, the hospital explained that it had since been updated to reflect the protocol it said it had "always adhered to"—that, while consultations were available to 17 year olds, only those over 18 were eligible for the surgery.[77][54] CNH's website had stated that hysterectomies were provided to patients "between the ages of 0–21".[20] But a spokeswoman for the hospital stated: "We do not and have never performed gender-affirming hysterectomies for anyone under the age of 18."[20][56]

After the Libs of TikTok posts, each hospital's employees were subject to harassment,[16] and both BCH and CNH were subject to bomb threats,[81] though it was unclear whether each of the threats were related to the harassment.[79] NBC News described Libs of TikTok as "one of the primary drivers of the harassment campaign" against BCH.[82] The threats of violence were widely denounced,[83][12][78] and both state[54] and federal[84][85] authorities launched investigations into the threats. When contacted by The Washington Post, Raichik did not answer a question about whether she felt responsible for the threats against the hospitals, but said that "we 100% condemn any acts/threats of violence".[16][86] In a later tweet, Raichik said that she would continue to call out hospitals,[87] and, in the aftermath of the CNH tweets, after which Twitter temporarily suspended the Libs of TikTok account, Raichik said, "Getting suspended by Twitter has only made me realize my biggest mistake. I only called one hospital I should have called dozens because I promise you Children's National is not the only one. I promise to learn from my mistake and uncover more of what our Big Tech overlords don't want us to know. I will do better in the future."[16][71]

Raichik subsequently posted stories about Akron Children's Hospital[88] and Barbara Bush Children's Hospital[89][90] providing non-surgical gender-affirming care, including puberty blockers, to minors.[88] Raichik also posted about an adolescent clinic at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, highlighting its practice of asking parents to step out of the room for a few minutes to give young patients a "safe space".[91] In response to the social-media attention, which included threats, Akron Children's Hospital temporarily took down the gender-affirming care section of their website and information about its employees and the care they provide.[87]

The account has targeted other hospitals that provide gender-affirming care, in some cases with false claims, including a children's hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, and Phoenix Children's Hospital, leading to phoned-in threats and harassment. After Libs of TikTok's targeting of specific hospitals, other pediatric facilities including Chicago's Lurie Children's Hospital have faced harassment and false claims about care they provide.[16][92][93] In September 2022, in response to Libs of TikTok's posts, Lurie Children's Hospital increased its security and moved a transgender youth support group from in-person meetings to online meetings.[28]

Teaching-related content

Teachers supporting LGBT students have been noted as one of the "most frequent" targets of the Libs of TikTok account.[32] Several of the teachers targeted have reported harassment and death threats.[d] According to a report by the left-leaning media watchdog group Media Matters for America, between January and April 2022, the account named or tagged around 222 educational institutions and teachers.[32][95] According to Euronews, "some of the people targeted by [Libs of TikTok] have received hundreds or even thousands of hate comments."[95]

On November 16, 2021, an assistant professor at Old Dominion University was placed on administrative leave after an interview in which the professor argued that pedophilia should be destigmatized was posted on the Libs of TikTok account and went viral.[98] On November 24, the professor resigned from their position.[99]

A teacher in California was placed on administrative leave after a video she posted joking about asking her students to pledge allegiance to a Pride flag was reposted by Libs of TikTok on August 27, 2021.[100] After conservative and far-right accounts attacked her on social media, she deleted all of her social media accounts.[100]

In April 2022, Raichik reposted a video supporting LGBT students by an 8th grade English teacher in Owasso, Oklahoma; in the video, the teacher stated, "If your parents don't accept you for who you are, fuck them. I'm your parents now. I'm proud of you. Drink some water. I love you".[32] After parents complained about the video, the teacher resigned, later telling the Washington Post he had received death threats from Libs of TikTok's followers.[101][102] Oklahoma Republican Senate candidate Jackson Lahmeyer accused the teacher of being a "predator".[32][102] Libs of TikTok later made a post claiming, without evidence, that the teacher was fired "after complaints of grooming".[32] Some parents defended the teacher, saying that he provided a "safe haven" for LGBT students.[32]

In October 2022, a Huntsville, Alabama, animal shelter faced backlash, including death threats and negative reviews on Google, after Libs of TikTok reposted a video from the shelter showing a middle school teacher reading in drag. Libs of TikTok alleged the teacher made lewd sexual innuendos and jokes to a room of children. As a result, the teacher was put on indefinite paid administrative leave by Huntsville City Schools for investigation. The teacher defended his comments, comparing them to innuendos in kids' movies. The animal shelter supported the teacher and the event, emphasizing their commitment to inclusivity and kindness. The teacher also received death threats.[103][104]

Educational facilities and bomb threats

Multiple educational facilities and institutions that were featured in posts by Libs of TikTok have reported receiving bomb threats afterwards. When contacted by Vice, Raichik stated that "the threats had nothing to do with her or her followers." According to an October 2023 report by Vice, out of 42 establishments featured in Libs of TikTok posts that Vice contacted, 11 schools and school districts had reported receiving bomb threats. Although a direct connection between Libs of TikTok's posts and the threats were not made, some have found the nature of these threats to be unusual.[30]

In August 2023, an Ellen Ochoa Elementary School (part of Union Public Schools in Tulsa, Oklahoma) librarian's video was edited and shared by Libs of TikTok and reposted by Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters.[105] After the video was shared, both Ellen Ochoa Elementary School and the librarian's home received multiple bomb threats.[106][107] Bombing threats were accompanied by letters to media threatening to bomb "every school in the union district", unless the schools stopped " pushing this woke ideology".[108]

In August 2023, Libs of TikTok accused a California elementary school of being "racist against white people". The next day, a bomb threat was emailed to the school and it was evacuated; local police described the email as having "racial undertones".[109] Around the same time, a library in Davis, California, became the target of bomb threats after Libs of TikTok tweeted about an event in the establishment which resulted in a group of speakers being asked to leave over speech that was hostile towards trans athletes. According to local police, the threats were laden with hate speech of some kind.[110]

In September 2023, a school in Illinois received three bomb threats in four days after Libs of TikTok posted a picture of one of its classrooms where a Pride flag was hanging.[111] The school evacuated students twice, on consecutive days, after the threats were received.[112]

In February 2024, NBC News reported 33 instances of violent threats being made against individuals or organizations that Libs of TikTok had previously posted about since November 2020, 20 of which were bomb threats. The report further commented saying, "the timing suggests that Libs of TikTok posts have been used to pick targets."[31] In at least three instances, those bomb threats led to criminal charges against at least 9 individuals.[31]

Other content and hoaxes

In reference to a preschool that held a gay pride march, the account stated, "stop sending your kids to indoctrination camps".[24][15] It has encouraged followers to contact schools that allowed transgender students to use bathrooms corresponding to their gender identity.[24][15] Libs of TikTok also aims to "spread the horrors of what doctors are doing to young, confused individuals".[17]

In since-deleted tweets, the account specifically accused Chasten Buttigieg and The Trevor Project organization of grooming.[113][46][114] The account argued in another since-deleted tweet that any teacher who comes out as gay to their students should be fired.[32]

Libs of TikTok has been criticized for spreading hoaxes, including the litter boxes in schools hoax about bathroom accommodations for students that identified as cats, and for spreading false claims such as that students in a second-grade class in Austin, Texas were being taught about furries,[24][115][114] and that U.S. Representative Katie Porter had argued that pedophilia is not a crime after Porter lamented that LGBT people were being slandered as pedophiles and groomers on social media.[116][117] The account has also posted, or been accused of posting, edited footage of drag events, in one case resulting in bomb threats against the audience and the performer in North Dakota,[68] and in a separate incident resulting in death threats against a drag performer who eventually resigned from a teaching position in Alabama.[118]

Libs of TikTok has denied the existence of systemic racism, but argued that racism against white people was "flourishing" in the United States.[14] Reporting by Slate stated that "Raichik's feed is colored by an intense hostility to liberals generally, but she holds an especially pronounced animosity toward LGBTQ people, city dwellers, and Black people who have been killed at the hands of police", noting that the account has referred to George Floyd as a criminal, and mocked the killing of Ma'Khia Bryant.[14]

The most popular video posted on Libs of TikTok, with 5.7 million views, was taken by a female student at Arizona State University. The video shows her and her friend repeatedly asking a white male student to leave a multicultural center due to a "Police Lives Matter" sticker on his laptop.[14][119] After the video went viral, ASU investigated and then reprimanded the two female students.[14][119]

Colorado Springs nightclub shooting

On November 20, 2022, Libs of TikTok received renewed media attention following the Colorado Springs nightclub shooting,[120][29][121] a mass killing that took place at an LGBTQ venue in which five people were killed and dozens more were injured. Club Q, the venue targeted by the shooter, frequently hosts drag events, including those advertised to an all-ages audience. The Independent noted that Libs of TikTok often attracts negative attention to such events with her social media accounts and that harassment and threats are often sent by her followers against patrons and performers following her postings.[29] Hours after the shooting, Raichik used her Twitter account to target a "drag organization" in the same state where the massacre took place, underlining the names of two Colorado state legislators, one of whom was trans, for supporting it.[120][122][123] The Advocate criticized the post, saying that: "In the hours after news of the Club Q shooting spread, Raichik, for example, doubled down on her anti-LGBTQ+ messaging by posting about other drag-inclusive events in the state."[124] They drew attention to an interview previously published on their website with Juliette Kayyem, a former assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, in which she stated that social media accounts such as Libs of TikTok practice stochastic terrorism by provoking extremist outrage against marginalized groups, but using "vague language that allows the agitator to deny responsibility for the act".[124]

Account suspensions

Twitter

Twitter has temporarily suspended the Libs of TikTok account five times,[26][125][90][126] including for promoting "violence, threats or harassment against others" based on minority status[32] and for "hateful conduct".[55] At least two of the suspensions stemmed from Raichik misgendering persons in tweets.[16]

On September 25, 2022,[127] Libs of TikTok received a one-week suspension from Twitter and claimed that Twitter did not cite a reason for the suspension. However, The Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon said that Libs of TikTok was suspended for "hateful conduct" with "no specific tweets [being] flagged".[125] In response to the suspension, Libs of TikTok hired a law firm that sent a letter threatening legal action against Twitter if they decide to permanently suspend Libs of TikTok.[125] Libs of TikTok also created a legal defense fund and encouraged her supporters to donate to the fund.[125] Libs of TikTok said that the suspension was "the result of a targeted harassment campaign from the Left to deplatform me", adding that "The truth is I haven't engaged in hateful conduct. I've just exposed the Left's depravity by reporting the facts. There's no rule against that, so they have to make up violations I've never committed".[125]

LGBT advocates on Twitter have advocated for Twitter to permanently suspend Libs of TikTok,[127] and several commentators noted that Twitter had not imposed an outright (permanent) ban on the account. According to NPR, "Libs of TikTok appears to have evaded outright bans by coming right up to the edge of the platforms' rules but not breaking them", adding that the account "does not explicitly encourage followers to threaten anyone, and typically uses its target's own words, sometimes stripped of context, to imply wrongdoing."[12] According to Joan Donovan, research director of the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy, Raichik dodges bans by deleting problematic tweets before the platform takes action, a tactic Donovan said is common for digital actors spreading disinformation.[16]

From roughly August to October 2022, Libs of TikTok was the subject of significant internal conversation at Twitter, with some employees arguing that the account should be permanently banned due to its potential for inciting violence.[16] After Elon Musk acquired Twitter and became its CEO in October 2022, the site's moderation activity was reduced significantly. On December 9, journalist Bari Weiss claimed that Twitter had limited Libs of TikTok's reach via shadow banning, a claim that was rejected by Twitter's former head of product, Kayvon Beykpour, who replied with "You are characterizing any de-amplification as equating to shadow banning which is either a lazy interpretation or deliberately misleading".[128] Conversely, Evan Urquhart of Slate argued that Weiss' own publishing revealed that Libs of TikTok was receiving preferential treatment, with moderators directed not to take any action against the account and to instead elevate issues to higher management. Urquhart further argued that Weiss' portrayal of Libs of TikTok dangerously conflated conservative opinions with stochastic terrorism and extremism.[129]

Other platforms

Libs of TikTok had an account on TikTok itself, but it was suspended for violating TikTok's community guidelines in March 2022.[24][16] The Libs of TikTok Instagram account was suspended for a few hours two months later, which a Meta spokesperson said was from an automated system responding to "multiple copyright complaints".[25] In September of that year, the Libs of TikTok Facebook account was permanently suspended for violating the platform's community guidelines.[23][130][131] Facebook said it was suspended in error[12] and the account was reinstated after less than a day,[23][132] an action that the LGBT organization GLAAD criticized.[84] Activists campaigned for e-commerce platform Shopify to drop Libs of TikTok's store, claiming that it violated the platform's acceptable use policy which bans hateful content and goods and services that lead to harassment and threats. In a statement, Shopify defended Libs of TikTok, saying that "We host businesses of all stripes and sizes, with various worldviews".[16]

Impact

See or edit source data.
A graph of @libsoftiktok's follower count since May 2021.

Political impact

Florida governor Ron DeSantis's press secretary Christina Pushaw credited the account for "opening her eyes" on the current state of education around sexuality- and LGBT-related topics.[24] Pushaw interacted with the Libs of TikTok account more than 100 times between July 2021 and May 2022.[32] Fox News host Tucker Carlson has credited Libs of TikTok, and Pushaw's championing of it, as partly responsible for Florida's passage of the 2022 Parental Rights in Education bill (commonly called the "Don't Say Gay bill"), which prohibits instruction on sexuality and gender identity in age-inappropriate ways from kindergarten to third grade in public schools.[133]

Libs of TikTok was one of the top-ten most influential Twitter accounts in promoting use of the pejorative term groomer after the passage of Florida's Parental Rights in Education bill, according to a report by the Center for Countering Digital Hate and the Human Rights Campaign.[134][135] Raichik uses the term as a pejorative for LGBT people, supporters of LGBT youth,[14][32][33] and those who teach about sexuality.[6]

On March 5, 2024, Libs of TikTok account on Twitter posted a video linking an LGBT+ center in Philadelphia to the promotion of a "BDSM, kink and fetish" event, and accused Senators Bob Casey and John Fetterman of sending the center earmarked funds. On the same day, Fetterman's and Casey's offices requested the Congress to cut the earmarks worth US$1 million they initially proposed from the national spending bill that was about to pass. On March 6, however, Fetterman denied he himself took his office's decision, and implied his staffers were pushed by Libs of TikTok's accusations. In a later statement, Fetterman said his staff felt it was up to his office to "pull it or watch it get stripped out, attacked by Republicans, and ultimately killed" adding he would push for LGBT funds in 2025.[136]

Harassment and threats

According to a report by Advance Democracy Inc., tweets by Libs of TikTok result in a spike in mentions of specific hospitals and doctors across Twitter. In many of the mentions, doctors are referred to as "child molesters", "pedos", "groomers", and "butchers".[90]

Drag queens and drag events organizers said that they received harassment and threats after tweets from Libs of TikTok about them and their work.[62] In 2021, Libs of TikTok encouraged its followers to call child protective services (CPS) on a transgender couple who were shown in the Facebook Watch documentary series 9 Months with Courteney Cox attempting to breastfeed their newborn baby.[44][137]

In July 2022, OutLoud North Bay, a centre for LGBT youth in Ontario, received hate messages and death threats after Libs of TikTok posted tweets in response to the centre announcing a drag show for all ages.[138] Also in July, Libs of TikTok made a tweet criticizing the Conservative Jewish camping network, Camp Ramah in Northern California, for "housing kids according to their gender identity rather than birth sex".[139][140]

On August 10, 2022, Libs of TikTok reposted a video of a therapist who works with sex offenders who have been jailed. In the video, the therapist says their pronouns and advises people to use the term "minor-attracted persons" (MAPs) instead of "pedophiles", arguing that the latter term has "moved from being a diagnostic label to being a judgmental, hurtful insult that we hurl at people in order to harm them or slander them". They also argue that pedophiles do not choose their attraction to children and should not be solely defined by that one aspect of themselves. Libs of TikTok only posted the first two minutes of the video, which made it sound like the therapist was advocating for acceptance of pedophilia and for people to be nicer to child sex abusers. In the full version of the video, the therapist condemns child sex abuse crimes. Libs of TikTok's reposted video has been promoted by Russian and European disinformation networks, such as Tsargrad TV.[71][141]

Michael O'Brien, a pediatrics resident at a hospital in South Carolina, said that he received threats after Libs of TikTok, on August 15, retweeted a tweet in which he had criticized the account. O'Brien reported some of the threats to his employer's public safety office: "I got three specific threats that came from within a 50-mile radius of where I live", adding that "The threats felt very tangible. I had to take action to protect my partner and warn my family."[16]

In September 2022, Libs of TikTok claimed that workshops for transgender youth and their families run by the American healthcare company Kaiser Permanente were being held "without parental consent" despite the workshops being designed for both children and parents.[57] Also in September 2022, a tea shop in Salt Lake City reported receiving "an endless barrage of harassment" after Libs of TikTok's Instagram account reposted a video featuring a young girl dancing with a drag queen inside the tea shop.[142]

On September 23, 2022, a two-minute video of Dr. Katherine Gast (co-director at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's UW Health gender services program) describing gender-affirming surgeries was reposted by Libs of TikTok with the caption: "Gast happily describes some of the "gender affirming" surgeries she offers to adolescents including vaginoplasties, phalloplasties, and double mastectomies."[91] In an emailed response to NBC News, Libs of TikTok stood by her characterization of doctors who work in transgender healthcare. Although Gast does not perform genital surgery on minors, she does perform mastectomies (also known as "top surgery") in some cases for older teenagers after evaluations by mental health care professionals and doctors, and with parental consent. The original tweet by Libs of TikTok received almost half a million views, one of eight in a thread about Gast and her patients. Senator Ted Cruz tweeted: "She does this to children. Sterilizes & mutilates them. Before they are old enough to consent." Gast and her family were doxxed and her clinic has received "harassing phone calls".[90]

In April 2024, over forty Planet Fitness establishments throughout the United States received bomb threats after Libs of TikTok posted that a customer was banned for photographing a transgender woman while she used the women's room.[143]

After analyzing Libs of TikTok's online activity in April 2022 through November 2022, a counter-extremism research group named "Task Force Butler Institute" estimated Raichik singled out a specific event, location or person over 280 times, resulting in 66 incidents of harassment or threats against her targets.[34]

Reception

Response to account content

The account has been described as promoting harassment against and criticizing teachers, medical providers, and children's hospitals.[12][27][28] It has been called a hate-speech account.[144] It has also been described as spreading misinformation and/or disinformation by reposting videos clips of LGBT people, teachers, schools and other institutions out of context and with incendiary framing.[12][17][18][50][54][8] While fans and supporters of Libs of TikTok say the account simply reposts content showcasing "sex and gender ideology" that was already publicly available,[50] "the account's followers are rabidly anti-LGBTQ+ and routinely attack individuals whose content is shared."[23]

Raichik has described Libs of TikTok's reposting of videos as "exposés" of "the crazies". She has also described criticism of her online activity as efforts to "cancel and silence" and has said that she receives death threats.[12]

Positive

Tucker Carlson, then the host of Tucker Carlson Tonight, praised Libs of TikTok, saying that "no news organization in America has done more to reveal the reality in American schools than Libs of TikTok" and called the videos reposted by the account "idiotic and disgusting".[15] Donald Trump Jr. argued that "the question Libs of TikTok often raises – And the Left wants to ignore – Is do parents have a right to know what their children are being taught in their public school, or not?"[50] Ben Shapiro defended Libs of TikTok from criticism, calling it "a Twitter account that literally just posts Leftists owning themselves."[50] Seth Dillon of The Babylon Bee called Libs of TikTok's work "heroic" and "high-risk".[125] Christina Pushaw has described herself as "a strong supporter of [Libs of TikTok']s mission."[44]

Negative

Gillian Branstetter, a media strategist for the American Civil Liberties Union, argued that Libs of TikTok "is finding new characters for right-wing propaganda" and that "it's relying on the endless stream of content from TikTok and the Internet to cast any individual trans person as a new villain in their story." Ari Drennen, the LGBTQ program director for the left-leaning media watchdog group Media Matters for America, argued that "Libs of TikTok is basically acting as a wire service for the broader right-wing media ecosystem", adding that the account has "been shaping public policy in a real way, and affecting teachers' ability to feel safe in their classrooms".[24] According to Drennen, she received more than 500 hateful comments about her sexuality and appearance after criticizing Libs of TikTok.[145] Kylie Cheung of Jezebel argued that "Deplatforming hateful accounts like LibsOfTikTok – whose online attacks can clearly, quickly escalate into real-life threats – is an important step. But it's clear we're in the midst of a terrifying, broader anti-LGBTQ moment right now that's being fueled by pretty much every right-wing media outlet as well as top Republicans."[146] Reina Sultan of Them argued that "social media platforms are not doing enough, not only to limit Libs of TikTok's ability to spread hate, but also to protect LGBTQ+ people in general."[44] Elad Nehorai of The Forward argued that Libs of TikTok is "fueling a pogrom against trans youth", comparing accusations of grooming to antisemitic blood libel.[70] LGBT organization GLAAD said in a statement that "Libs of TikTok is synonymous with maliciously targeting LGBTQ organizations, people, and allies by posting lies, misinformation, and blatant hate."[84]

Joan Donovan, research director at Harvard's Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy, argued that "we've reached this phase in social media where people know what to do when an account like Libs of TikTok calls out another account or a person or institution", calling the response to these posts "networked incitement" that can create "a snowball effect, where you see people getting more emboldened to participate". Donovan also argued that "the precipitating comments may not be that incendiary, but if that creates a pattern of attack that is recognizable, which it is with an account like Libs of TikTok, then these companies are well within their jurisdiction to warn and then ban the account." Donovan has drawn parallels between Twitter's handling of Libs of TikTok and Twitter's failure to stop QAnon, the Stop the Steal movement, and the January 6 Capitol attack, which Twitter only started cracking down on after several acts of violence were linked to these movements. She also drew parallels between right-wing media amplifying Libs of TikTok and the online campaign that resulted in the January 6 Capitol attack. Donovan noted that "We're seeing more people feeling — as they did during the insurrection — that storming a hospital might be their only option to defend themselves and their values".[12][16] Harvard Law School clinical instructor and transgender activist Alejandra Caraballo argued that Twitter has not banned Libs of TikTok for its content because "they don't want to rock the boat politically while the [Elon Musk purchase] is ongoing."[147] Meredithe McNamara, assistant professor of pediatrics at Yale University, argued that "allowing this hate speech to fester on the internet and fuel direct threats is going to create long standing harms that are difficult to recover from".[16]

Response to identity reveal

Bonnie Kristian of The Week argued "the person behind Libs of TikTok doesn't matter much ... because conspiracism is communal now", adding that "Lorenz's exposé largely missed the point."[148] Kat Rosenfield of UnHerd called The Washington Post article "an unmasking worthy of a demented superhero story", adding that "it's hard to know what Libs of TikTok's greater sin is: being wrong, or being popular."[149] Dan McLaughlin of National Review argued that identity reveals like that of Libs of TikTok have "become standard practice for major media reporters who do stories on people on the right who can be framed as 'extremists.'"[150]

Kara Alaimo, a Hofstra University professor and former Obama administration staffer writing for NBC News, dismissed criticism regarding identifying the individual running the account, arguing that "the people in need of protection here are those who are being targeted with hate simply because of their identities – not the people who are hurling the abuse, like Raichik."[126]

Writing about the revealing of Raichik's identity, Kaitlyn Tiffany of The Atlantic argued that "where the term [doxxing] once defined a category, it now expresses an emotion. Whoever feels doxxed will claim to have been doxxed."[47]

Commentator and conspiracy theorist Jack Posobiec tweeted: "This isn't journalism. This is doxxing and smearing of Libs of TikTok by the billionaire-controlled Bezos Post".[50]

Some Jewish critics, including watchdog organization StopAntisemitism.org and Jewcy magazine editor Isaac de Castro, argued that Lorenz's mention of Raichik's Orthodox Judaism was unnecessary and promoted antisemitism.[50] Andrew Silow-Carroll, editor in chief of The Jewish Week, defended the inclusion of Raichik's religious beliefs in a blog for The Times of Israel, arguing that it "shed light on the growing connection between faith and right-wing politics".[151]

In April 2022, another Orthodox Jew also named Chaya Raichik, a stay-at-home mom who grew up in Los Angeles, received hundreds of negative messages from people who mistook her for the person behind Libs of TikTok.[152] Also in April, YouTuber Tim Pool and The Daily Wire CEO Jeremy Boreing purchased a billboard in Times Square to accuse Lorenz of doxxing Libs of TikTok. In response, Lorenz called the billboard "so idiotic it's hilarious."[153]

Classifications of extremism

In March 2024, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) added Chaya Raichik to their hate watchlist as an anti-LGBTQ extremist.[154][155] The entry describes Raichik as having engaged in an "anti-LGBTQ+ disinformation campaign" that "mobilizes right-wing extremist groups in violent attacks against LGBTQ+ people, spaces and events, as well as against doctors, hospitals, librarians, libraries, teachers and schools."[155]

Other media involvement by Raichik

Television appearance

Raichik made her first-ever in-person televised appearance on the December 27, 2022, episode of Tucker Carlson Today. In the episode, she stated, "The LGBTQ community has become this cult, and it's so captivating, and it pulls people in so strongly... They're just evil. They're bad people. They're just evil people, and they want to groom kids. They're recruiting."[1] Following her appearance, some news outlets have linked her to a person who may have trespassed on federal property during the January 6 United States Capitol attack.[156][157]

Children's book

In 2023, Raichik announced her children's picture book No More Secrets: The Candy Cavern, whose publisher is Brave Books. Promoted as "a modern twist to the familiar Grimm's-style fairy tale", the book is about a lamb named Rose who becomes suspicious when her second-grade teacher focuses more on candy than education. It reflects the LGBT grooming conspiracy theory; Raichik intended the book for helping children and their parents identify "predatory" behavior. Brave Books' storytime event which was to star Raichik and promote the book was canceled due to threats they viewed as dangerous.[158][159]

Political appointments

In January 2024, Raichik was appointed as an adviser to the Oklahoma State Library Committee, despite not being an Oklahoma resident, a librarian, or an educator.[160] The committee is tasked with reviewing material reported to them and advising schools on age appropriate media.[161]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c [1][2][3][4][5][6]
  2. ^ a b [1][2][7][8][9]
  3. ^ [1][6][14][23][32][33]
  4. ^ [94][95][96][97][32]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiggins, Christopher (December 27, 2022). "Libs of TikTok's Chaya Raichik Spews Anti-LGBTQ+ Bile in Fox Interview". The Advocate. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Kelleher, Patrick (November 23, 2022). "JK Rowling 'likes' tweet by far-right, anti-LGBTQ+ Libs of TikTok". Pink News. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Kampeas, Ron (April 21, 2022). "Twitter activist behind far-right "Libs of TikTok" revealed to be US Orthodox Jew". The Times of Israel. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  4. ^ Berjikian, Katherine (March 5, 2022). "'Libs of Tiktok': Twitter account targets LGBT+ teachers in the U.S." Euronews. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved June 24, 2023. A popular Twitter account with over 1 million followers is targeting teachers promoting LGBTQ+ rights and inclusive education in the U.S.
  5. ^ Lavietes, Matt (October 31, 2022). "Far-right figures appear to be testing Twitter's boundaries for anti-LGBTQ speech". NBC News. Retrieved November 21, 2022. The day before, within hours of Musk's Twitter acquisition, the far-right account Libs of TikTok — which has over 1.4 million Twitter followers and has largely built its following by mocking liberals — tweeted out a post with the word "groomer" written over a dozen times.
  6. ^ a b c Kampeas, Ron (April 19, 2022). "The Twitter activist behind the far-right "Libs of TikTok" is an Orthodox Jew. Does that matter?". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  7. ^ Aguiano, Dani (June 13, 2022). "Group of men storm Drag Queen Story Hour in California in possible hate crime". The Guardian. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  8. ^ a b Tunney, Joseph (November 25, 2022). "Shopify won't cut ties with controversial Libs of TikTok". CBC News. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  9. ^ Shapero, Julia (December 14, 2022). "Harassment reported at gender-affirming care providers in 21 states". The Hill. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  10. ^ Raichik, Chaya (February 26, 2023). "From Libs of TikTok creator to author: Chaya Raichik releases new children's book No More Secrets". Libs of TikTok. Substack. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  11. ^ Zadrozny, Brandy; McCausland, Phil (August 16, 2022). "Boston Children's Hospital warns employees over far-right online harassment campaign". NBC News. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Bond, Shannon (August 26, 2022). "Children's hospitals are the latest target of anti-LGBTQ harassment". All Things Considered. NPR. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  13. ^ Hayden, Michael Edison (June 14, 2022). "Far-Right Influencers Hyped Coeur d'Alene Pride Before Patriot Front Showed Up". Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Stahl, Jeremy (April 27, 2022). "The Hate-Fueled and Hugely Influential World of Libs of TikTok". Slate. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g Tomlinson, Hugh (April 22, 2022). "Libs of Tiktok: Twitter provocateur gives Republicans new weapon in war on liberals". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Lorenz, Taylor; Dwoskin, Elizabeth; Jamison, Peter (September 2, 2022). "Twitter account Libs of TikTok blamed for harassment of children's hospitals". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on September 2, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2022. After gaining a large Twitter following in the spring as she baselessly accused LGBTQ teachers of being pedophiles and 'groomers', Raichik began criticizing children's health facilities earlier this summer, targeting a hospital in Omaha in June and another in Pittsburgh in August. The attacks resulted in a flood of online harassment and phoned-in threats at both hospitals.
  17. ^ a b c Milton, Josh (August 17, 2022). "Hospital hit with threats over false claims about treatment of trans kids". PinkNews. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  18. ^ a b Sobey, Rick (August 17, 2022). "Boston Children's Hospital doctors facing violent threats after far-right groups spread 'misinformation'". Boston Herald. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  19. ^ "Libs of TikTok". Social Blade. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  20. ^ a b c d e f Jamison, Peter (August 26, 2022). "Children's hospital threatened after Libs of TikTok recording on trans hysterectomies". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  21. ^ "Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok)". x.com. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  22. ^ a b c Halpert, Madeline (August 31, 2022). "Boston Children's Hospital Bomb Threat: How Right Wing Media Escalate Harassment Of LGBTQ-Friendly Places". Forbes. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  23. ^ a b c d e f Hansford, Amelia (August 18, 2022). "Hate-fuelled Libs of TikTok suspended from Facebook: 'Your move Twitter'". PinkNews. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  24. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Lorenz, Taylor (April 19, 2022). "Meet the woman behind Libs of TikTok, secretly fueling the right's outrage machine". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on April 19, 2022. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  25. ^ a b Covucci, David (May 27, 2022). "Libs of TikTok suspended from Instagram, sparking outrage from its fans". The Daily Dot. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  26. ^ a b c Covucci, David (August 29, 2022). "Libs of TikTok suspended from Twitter in wake of Children's National Hospital audio recording". The Daily Dot. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  27. ^ a b c Dwoskin, Elizabeth; B. Merrill, Jeremy (September 20, 2022). "Trump's "big lie" fueled a new generation of social media influencers". Washington Post. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  28. ^ a b c "Chicago children's hospital ups security after "Libs of TikTok" social post". FOX 32 Chicago. September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  29. ^ a b c Woodward, Alex (November 21, 2022). "Mass shooting at LGBT+ club follows wave of threats to drag performers and venues". The Independent. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  30. ^ a b Owen, Tess (October 4, 2023). "Schools Report Bomb Threats Following Libs of Tiktok Anti-LGBTQ Posts". Vice. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  31. ^ a b c d Ingram, David (February 7, 2024). "After Libs of TikTok posted, at least 21 bomb threats followed". NBC News. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  32. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Persaud, Chris (May 10, 2022). "Babylon Bee CEO of Juno Beach backs Twitter firebrand who calls LGBTQ people pedophiles". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  33. ^ a b Gabbatt, Adam (June 18, 2022). "Anti-LGBTQ+ attacks by US extremist groups surge as right spews vitriol". The Guardian. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
  34. ^ a b Menn, Joseph (January 22, 2023). "Attacks on U.S. Jews and gays accelerate as hate speech grows on Twitter". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  35. ^ Carless, Will (November 2, 2023). "When Libs of TikTok tweets, threats increasingly follow". USA Today. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  36. ^ "How LibsOfTikTok Is Helping the Kremlin Boost Anti-LGBTQ Disinformation". Vice. August 30, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  37. ^ a b Goforth, Claire (April 18, 2022). "Libs of TikTok—the influential, mystery Twitter account hailed by mainstream conservatives—attended Jan. 6 Capitol protest". The Daily Dot. Archived from the original on April 19, 2022. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  38. ^ a b c Halpert, Madeline (April 19, 2022). "Right-Wing Figures Attack Journalist Taylor Lorenz For Revealing Creator Of 'Libs Of TikTok'". Forbes. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  39. ^ Allemann, Andrew (April 20, 2022). "Reminder: there's no Whois privacy for .us domain names". Domain Name Wire. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  40. ^ a b Leeman, Zachary (April 20, 2022). "Washington Post Called Out For False Claim in Statement Defending Taylor Lorenz Report". Mediaite. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  41. ^ Jones, Tom (April 21, 2022). "The Taylor Lorenz controversy should not be a controversy at all". Poynter. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  42. ^ a b c Mastrangelo, Dominic (April 19, 2022). "Washington Post defends Taylor Lorenz reporting after story on "Libs of TikTok" Twitter account". The Hill. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  43. ^ Quay, Grayson (April 19, 2022). "Conservatives complain of "doxxing" after exposé reveals woman behind "Libs of TikTok" account". The Week. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  44. ^ a b c d e Sultan, Reina (September 30, 2022). "How Libs of TikTok Became an Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate Machine". Them. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  45. ^ Stelter, Brian (April 21, 2022). "Taylor Lorenz discusses "Libs of TikTok" and her reporting practices". Reliable Sources with Brian Stelter (Podcast). CNN. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  46. ^ a b c Tracer, Dan (April 20, 2022). "'Libs of TikTok' deletes thousands of tweets after owner is exposed, but the Internet remembers forever". Queerty. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  47. ^ a b Tiffany, Kaitlyn (April 22, 2022). "'Doxxing' Means Whatever You Want It To". The Atlantic. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  48. ^ Sarkar, Shankhyaneel (June 14, 2022). "Libs Of TikTok Receives Death, Bomb Threats, Alleges Twitter Staff Discussed Deplatforming Her". News18. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  49. ^ Smith, Adam (June 14, 2022). "Elon Musk claims Twitter is 'biased against half of the country'". The Independent. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  50. ^ a b c d e f g Starr, Michael (April 21, 2022). "US Right, Left clash on orthodox Jewish activist's 'doxxing'". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  51. ^ Wiggins, Christopher (April 20, 2022). "Anti-LGBTQ+ 'Libs of TikTok' Exposed, Conservatives Are Extremely Mad". The Advocate. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  52. ^ Billson, Chantelle (February 25, 2024). "Libs of TikTok's Chaya Raichik says she doesn't believe in gender-affirming care". PinkNews. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  53. ^ Wiggins, Christopher (February 26, 2024). "Libs of TikTok exposed as ignorant hypocrite in viral video". The Advocate. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  54. ^ a b c d e Hawkins, Derek; Venkataramanan, Meena (August 17, 2022). "Boston Children's Hospital says it faces threats after right-wing tweets". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
  55. ^ a b D'Ambrosio, Amanda (August 30, 2022). "Children's National Latest Target of Transgender Care Attacks". MedPage Today. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  56. ^ a b c d Venhuizen, Harm (August 27, 2022). "D.C. children's hospital harassed over trans youth services". Associated Press. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  57. ^ a b Cockerell, Isobel (September 16, 2022). "Chinese censors silence dissent on zero-Covid lockdowns in Xinjiang and Tibet". Coda Media. Retrieved September 28, 2022. Now this campaign, orchestrated by the extreme right-wing 'Libs of TikTok' Twitter page...
  58. ^ Yang, Maya (August 31, 2022). "Boston Children's hospital receives bomb threat after far-right harassment". The Guardian. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  59. ^ Cecil, Loren (December 27, 2022). "Libs of TikTok Creator Chaya Raichik Called Ron DeSantis 'Incredible' For Offering Her Refuge in Florida Governor's Mansion". Buzzfeed News. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  60. ^ a b Denevi, Timothy (April 26, 2023). "Right-wing story hour, part 2: Chaya Raichik and the Libs of TikTok saga". Salon.com. Retrieved February 26, 2024. These videos are brutal because she didn't make them. They are public, willingly composed by the individuals depicted in them and posted to an audience they presume to be friendly. Raichik widens the circle of distribution — and, in so doing, mercilessly pops their proverbial bubbles.
  61. ^ Bartlett, Amanda (June 12, 2022). "Alleged Proud Boys storm Bay Area Drag Queen Story Hour at library". SFGATE. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  62. ^ a b Perrett, Connor (June 14, 2022). "Drag shows are the latest battleground in the right wing anti-gay disinformation campaign about 'grooming'". Business Insider. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  63. ^ Collins, Ben; Madani, Doha (June 17, 2022). "Anti-LGBTQ threats, fueled by internet's far right 'machine,' shut down trans rights and drag events". NBC News. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  64. ^ Bellware, Kim (June 13, 2022). "Proud Boys disrupt drag-queen reading event, prompting hate-crime probe". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  65. ^ Habegger, Becca (July 1, 2022). "'We will not tolerate hate' | Woodland Police Chief addresses criticism of department's response to protesters outside drag event". ABC10. Archived from the original on July 2, 2022.
  66. ^ "Downtown "drag brunch" draws Proud Boys protests". The Rant. October 30, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  67. ^ Romero, Dennis (December 3, 2022). "'Holi-Drag Storytime' for children canceled because of right-wing protesters". NBC News. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  68. ^ a b Lang, Nico (December 15, 2022). "College LGBTQ Group Gets Bomb Threat Over Hosting "Kid-Friendly" Drag Show". The Daily Beast. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  69. ^ Hall, Richard (May 12, 2023). "Elon Musk appears to entertain conspiracy theory that Texas mall shooting was a 'psyop'". The Independent. ISSN 1741-9743. OCLC 185201487. Archived from the original on May 27, 2023. Retrieved June 24, 2023. This isn't the first time Mr Musk has entertained conspiracy theories about violence inspired by right wing actors.
  70. ^ a b Nehorai, Elad (August 29, 2022). "Libs of Tiktok is fueling a pogrom against trans youth". The Forward. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  71. ^ a b c Villarreal, Daniel (August 30, 2022). "LibsOfTikTok linked to Russian disinformation campaign to stir outrage over LGBTQ rights". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  72. ^ a b Gilbert, David (August 17, 2022). "Far-Right Extremists Are Threatening to "Execute" Doctors at a Children's Hospital". Vice News. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  73. ^ a b Hudnall, Hannah (August 22, 2022). "Fact check: False claim about Boston Children's Hospital's transgender care program". USA Today. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  74. ^ Reyes, Yacob (August 12, 2022). "No, Boston Children's Hospital doesn't provide hysterectomies for children". PolitiFact. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  75. ^ a b Villarreal, Daniel (August 29, 2022). "Children's hospital gets death & bomb threats after Libs Of TikTok claims kids are sterilized there". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  76. ^ "Vaginoplasty" (PDF). Boston Children's Hospital.
  77. ^ Chasmar, Jessica (August 18, 2022). "Boston Children's Hospital deletes references to vaginoplasties for 17-year-olds amid online furor". Fox News. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  78. ^ a b McCausland, Phil (August 31, 2022). "Boston Children's Hospital faces bomb threat after right-wing harassment campaign". NBC News. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  79. ^ a b Alfonseca, Kiara (August 31, 2022). "Boston Children's Hospital receives bomb threat following harassment over transgender care". ABC News. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  80. ^ O'Laughlin, Frank (September 9, 2022). "Police investigating after another bomb threat made against Boston Children's Hospital". WFXT. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  81. ^ BCH bomb threats:[78][79][80] CNH bomb threats:[20][75][56]
  82. ^ Zadrozny, Brandy; Collins, Ben; Winter, Tom (September 15, 2022). "FBI charges Massachusetts woman with Boston Children's Hospital bomb threat". NBC News. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  83. ^ Dwyer, Dialynn (August 19, 2022). "'This is medical care': Mayor Michelle Wu reacts to attacks on Boston Children's Hospital over transgender care". Boston.com. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  84. ^ a b c Levesque, Brody (August 20, 2022). "Hate purveyor Libs of TikTok not suspended: GLAAD responds". Los Angeles Blade. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  85. ^ D'Ambrosio, Amanda (August 17, 2022). "Boston Children's Hospital Threatened Over Kids' Transgender Healthcare". MedPage Today. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  86. ^ Melissa Gira Grant (September 7, 2022). "'Libs of TikTok' and the Right's Embrace of Anti-LGBTQ Violence". The New Republic. ISSN 0028-6583. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  87. ^ a b Trau, Morgan (September 22, 2022). "Akron Children's Hospital is latest gender-affirming care provider to face online threats". News 5 Cleveland. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  88. ^ a b Jones, Bob (July 29, 2019). "Akron Children's Hospital establishes center for transgender and LGBTQ+ patients". News 5 Cleveland. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  89. ^ Schemmel, Alec; Baron, Julian (October 4, 2022). "Maine children's hospital declines to explain gender transition services". KDNL. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  90. ^ a b c d Collins, Ben; Zadrozny, Brandy (October 7, 2022). "Doctors providing trans care are under increasing threat from far-right harassment campaigns". NBC News. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  91. ^ a b Melissa Gira Grant (September 28, 2022). "Doxxed Doctors, Library Bomb Threats, and Attacks on Pride Centers: A Week in Escalating Anti-LGBTQ Violence". The New Republic. ISSN 0028-6583. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  92. ^ Solis, Steph (August 18, 2022). "Boston Children's Hospital faces threats over gender-affirming care". Axios. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  93. ^ Eng, Monica (September 1, 2022). "Lurie Children's Hospital facing harassment for gender affirming care". Axios. Retrieved September 2, 2022. Pediatric facilities nationwide, including Chicago's Lurie Children's Hospital, are facing harassment and false claims about the gender-affirming care they offer. The harassment is driven by Libs of TikTok, a Twitter account whose posts are amplified by the conservative group
  94. ^ Suen, Brennan; Drennen, Ari (April 19, 2022). "The real victims in the 'Libs of TikTok' discourse are the teachers and LGBTQ people harassed because of the account". Media Matters for America. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  95. ^ a b c Berjikian, Katherine (May 2, 2022). "'Libs of Tiktok': Twitter account is targeting LGBTQ+ teachers in the U.S." Euronews. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  96. ^ Salgado, Beck Andrew (July 20, 2022). "Followers of right-wing forum Libs of TikTok harass a Tosa first-grade educator for teaching pronouns at past job". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  97. ^ Tryens-Fernandes, Savannah (October 13, 2022). "Huntsville teacher reading to dogs in drag sparks threats". Alabama Local News. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  98. ^ Vallejo, Justin (November 18, 2021). "Professor placed on leave after saying paedophiles should be destigmatised". The Independent. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  99. ^ Asbury, Nicole (November 24, 2021). "ODU professor steps down after firestorm over research into 'minor-attracted people'". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  100. ^ a b Parsons, Vic (August 31, 2021). "Teacher who joked about students pledging allegiance to Pride flag 'removed from classroom'". PinkNews. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
  101. ^ Wakefield, Lily (April 20, 2022). "Teacher targeted by Libs of TikTok sent death threats and lost his job". PinkNews. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  102. ^ a b Martin, Scott (April 14, 2022). "Parents divided after former Owasso teacher resigns following viral TikTok videos". KOKI-TV. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  103. ^ Kroschel, Matt (October 14, 2022). "UPDATE: Huntsville teacher in drag show uproar says he's been put on paid leave". WAAY 31 News. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  104. ^ "Teacher under scrutinty after alleged inappropriate remark at drag event". KPIC. October 18, 2022. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  105. ^ Derksen, Cheyenne (August 22, 2023). "Ryan Walters labels Oklahoma librarian's video an example of 'woke agenda' in Twitter firestorm". The Oklahoman. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  106. ^ Codutti, Anna (August 23, 2023). "School gets bomb threats after 'woke ideology' tweet with librarian's name". Tulsa World. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  107. ^ Codutti, Anna (August 24, 2023). "Update: Bomb threats continue after 'woke ideology' tweet with librarian's name". Tulsa World. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  108. ^ Wallis, Beth (August 23, 2023). "'We will bomb every school in the Union district': Tulsa school threatened for 'woke ideology'". KOSU. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  109. ^ "Update: Bomb threat with 'racial undertones' at Chabot Elementary School in Oakland leads to evacuation". CBS News. August 29, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  110. ^ Will Carless (August 25, 2023). "Bomb threats disrupt two schools. Did right-wing LibsofTikTok posts help prompt them?". USA Today. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  111. ^ Grossman, Kate (September 22, 2023). "Bomb threats clear Highland Park elementary school two days in a row". Chicago Sun Times. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  112. ^ Meadows, Jonah (September 26, 2023). "3 Threats In 4 School Days At Red Oak School After Libs Of TikTok Post". Highland Park, IL Patch. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  113. ^ Goforth, Claire (April 20, 2022). "Libs of TikTok's deleted tweet accusing anti-teen suicide organization of "grooming" resurfaces". The Daily Dot. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  114. ^ a b Binder, Matt (April 26, 2022). "Libs of TikTok tweeted fake accusations about a school teaching second graders about furries". Mashable. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  115. ^ Evon, Dan (April 27, 2022). "The "Otherkin Policy" at Kokomo High School Is Satire". Snopes. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  116. ^ Liles, Jordan (December 15, 2022). "Katie Porter Did Not Say Pedophilia Isn't a Crime, as Claimed in False Tweet". Snopes. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  117. ^ Dale, Daniel (December 15, 2022). "Fact check: Republican congressman falsely claims Democratic congresswoman said pedophilia isn't a crime". CNN Politics. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  118. ^ Polgreen, Lydia (January 6, 2023). "Want to Understand L.G.B.T.Q. Life in America? Come to Alabama". The New York Times. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  119. ^ a b Campbell, Anna (November 19, 2021). "ASU Investigation Finds Two MSC Members Violated Code of Conduct in Multicultural Space Confrontation'". The State Press. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  120. ^ a b Parks, Casey (November 20, 2022). "Club Q shooting follows year of bomb threats, drag protests, anti-trans bills". Washington Post. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  121. ^ Zoledziowski, Anya (November 21, 2022). "'This Is the Point': Colorado Shooting Follows Rise in Anti-LGBTQ Vitriol". Vice News. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  122. ^ "Colorado Springs: Far-Right Influencers Made LGBTQ People Into Targets". Southern Poverty Law Center. November 21, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  123. ^ Goggin, Ben; Tenbarge, Kat (November 23, 2022). "Right-wing influencers and media double down on anti-LGBTQ rhetoric in the wake of the Colorado shooting". NBC News. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  124. ^ a b Christopher Wiggins (November 20, 2022). "Club Q Shooting Comes Amid Increased Attacks on LGBTQ+ Venues". The Advocate. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  125. ^ a b c d e f Wiggins, Christopher (September 29, 2022). "Twitter Suspends Libs of TikTok While Account Owner Vows Legal Action". The Advocate. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  126. ^ a b Alaimo, Kara (April 21, 2022). "There's a proper term for what happened to the "Libs of TikTok" creator. It's not 'doxxing.'". NBC News. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  127. ^ a b Jarrell, Zachary (September 30, 2022). "Anti-LGBTQ+ Libs of TikTok hit with [another] 7 day suspension". Los Angeles Blade. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  128. ^ "Twitter had "secret blacklists" to limit users, journalist claims". Al Jazeera. December 9, 2022. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  129. ^ Urquhart, Evan (December 9, 2022). "The Anti-Trans Hate Account That Bari Weiss Says Is Yet Another Right-Wing Voice Censored by Twitter". Slate. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  130. ^ McDougall, AJ (August 18, 2022). "Libs of TikTok Says It's Banned From Facebook After Boosting Trans Health Misinfo". The Daily Beast. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
  131. ^ Billson, Chantelle (September 23, 2022). "Children's hospital targeted after Libs of TikTok spreads anti-trans 'misinformation'". PinkNews. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  132. ^ McDougall, AJ (August 19, 2022). "Facebook Reverses Libs of TikTok's Suspension After Less Than a Day: Report". The Daily Beast. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
  133. ^ Carlson, Tucker (April 19, 2022). "Tucker: Libs of TikTok oust campaign was designed to shut down a highly effective Twitter feed". Fox News. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  134. ^ "Digital Hate: Social Media's Role in Amplifying Dangerous Lies About LGBTQ+ People" (PDF). Human Rights Campaign. August 2022. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  135. ^ Assunção, Muri (August 10, 2022). "Anti-LGBTQ language on social media surged more than 400% following Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' law, researchers say". New York Daily News. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  136. ^ Tully-McManus, Katherine; Adragna, Anthony; Scholtes, Jennifer (March 6, 2024). "Congress drops funding for LGBTQ+ community center after 'Libs of TikTok' scorn". POLITICO. Archived from the original on March 9, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  137. ^ Paterson, Alex (July 15, 2021). "Right-wing media are harassing a trans couple for taking care of their newborn child". Media Matters for America. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  138. ^ Thomas, Ashleigh-Rae (July 15, 2022). "Far-right Twitter account Libs of TikTok targets Ontario LGBTQ2S+ youth centre for hosting drag show". Xtra Magazine. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  139. ^ Fox, Mira (July 7, 2022). "Libs of TikTok is now targeting a Jewish summer camp". The Forward. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  140. ^ Hajdenberg, Jackie (July 9, 2022). "Jewish camp reassures families amid "social media offensive" over inclusion of trans kids". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved August 30, 2022 – via The Jerusalem Post.
  141. ^ Gilbert, David (August 30, 2022). "How LibsOfTikTok Is Helping the Kremlin Boost Anti-LGBTQ Disinformation". Vice News. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  142. ^ Jayswal, Palak (September 9, 2022). "Criticism and backlash from a viral video is a shock for Utah tea and wine shop". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  143. ^ "Planet Fitness outlets receive bomb threats after far right derides gym policy". The Guardian. April 13, 2024.
  144. ^ "New Human Rights Campaign Foundation Report: Online Hate & Real World Violence Are Inextricably Linked". Human Rights Campaign (Press release). December 13, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  145. ^ Allan, Laurie (April 22, 2022). "Libs of TikTok account has resurrected decades-long LGBTQ conspiracies, says writer". CBC Radio. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  146. ^ Cheung, Kylie (August 31, 2022). "Boston Children's Hospital Receives Bomb Threat Amid Far-Right, Anti-Trans Harassment Campaign". Jezebel. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  147. ^ Giardina, Henry (August 15, 2022). "A Children's Hospital Providing Gender-Affirming Care is Being Targeted with Death Threats. Guess Who's Behind It". INTO. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  148. ^ Kristian, Bonnie (April 19, 2022). "Out with Alex Jones-style conspiracy theorizing. In with Libs of TikTok". The Week. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
  149. ^ Rosenfield, Kat (April 21, 2022). "Why Libs of TikTok terrifies the media". UnHerd. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
  150. ^ McLaughlin, Dan (September 7, 2022). "Don't Apply Different Speech Rules to Libs of TikTok". National Review. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  151. ^ Silow-Carroll, Andrew (April 25, 2022). "Why the "Libs of TikTok" founder's Jewish identity was fair game". The Times of Israel. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  152. ^ Keene, Louis (April 21, 2022). "Mistaken for a right-wing media star, she met a cyberbullying mob". The Forward. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
  153. ^ Allsop, Jon (April 27, 2022). "Piers Morgan, Donald Trump, and the doomed transatlantic culture wars". Columbia Journalism Review. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  154. ^ Mitchell, Hilary (March 30, 2024). "Libs of TikTok founder Chaya Raichik added to hate watchlist as an 'anti-LGBTQ+ extremist'". PinkNews. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  155. ^ a b "Extremist Files: Chaya Raichik". Southern Poverty Law Center. March 30, 2024. Retrieved March 31, 2024. Under the LTT pseudonym, Raichik originally shared content intended to humiliate and intimidate LGBTQ+ content creators. She has used the platform in an anti-LGBTQ+ disinformation campaign that mobilizes right-wing extremist groups in violent attacks against LGBTQ+ people, spaces and events, as well as against doctors, hospitals, librarians, libraries, teachers and schools.
  156. ^ Dodgson, Lindsay (December 28, 2022). "The woman behind Libs of TikTok revealed her face on Fox News, leading to video seeming to show her at the Capitol on January 6". Business Insider. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  157. ^ Fears, Danika (April 19, 2022). "Unmasked "Libs of TikTok" Creator Claimed She Was at Capitol Riot". The Daily Beast. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  158. ^ Perry, Sophie (March 1, 2023). "Libs of TikTok creator is releasing a children's book and everyone is making the same point". PinkNews. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  159. ^ Seitz, Jacob (March 20, 2023). "'If you can't reap, don't sow': Libs of TikTok reading canceled after bookstore says it received threats". The Daily Dot. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  160. ^ Lavietes, Matt (January 23, 2024). "Libs of TikTok creator accused of inspiring school bomb threats named to Oklahoma library board". NBC News. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  161. ^ Henry, Lauren (January 24, 2024). "Superintendent Walters under fire for appointing TikTok watchdog to education committee". KTUL. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Libs_of_TikTok&oldid=1256684947"