Beyond The Lies: Confronting Disinformation About 2SLGBTQIA+ People

One of the most common experiences I hear from 2SLGBTQIA+ folks (as well as many allies) is the hateful accusations that are levelled against our community through disinformation and misinformation. The most extreme and frequent ones tend to be those that call us “pedophiles” and “groomers” — a term implying that 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals (and their allies) are actively engaging in sexually predatory behaviour towards children. And while most reasonable people would recognize the wildly dangerous lie for what it is, far too many people do not.

This growing practice not only has serious consequences on a societal level, it also poses direct threats to 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. On a cultural level, this calculated accusation perpetuates stigma which in turn heightens discrimination, further polarizing our communities in a time when we need to stand together for inclusive change. On a personal level, such accusations seriously impact the mental health of 2SLGBTQIA+ folks, leading to increased anxiety, depression, and risk of self-harm. Further, it makes it harder for us to thrive in education or employment contexts. Worse, it increases the risk of violence.

So where did all of this start? While we can’t go into too much detail here, let’s take a brief look at the history.

The History Of Disinformation

In the late 20th century, disinformation campaigns against 2SLGBTQIA+ movements drew heavily from early 20th-century homophobic conspiracies in Germany, particularly marked by the Eulenburg affair, which likened homosexuality to societal decay. This notion was echoed in post-World War I Germany where rising visibility of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals sparked claims of homosexuality as a “social contagion.” Similar sentiments were institutionalized through laws like the USSR’s Article 121, conflating homosexuality with pedophilia, and persisted in various forms across the world.

In the United States, the post-war period mirrored this discrimination with states passing laws against “sexual psychopaths,” confusing homosexuality with pedophilia, further fueled by the Lavender Scare. The government’s inquiries and policies during this time, including the first Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders…