LGBTQ grooming conspiracy theory

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The LGBTQ grooming conspiracy theory is a far-right conspiracy theory and anti-LGBTQ trope alleging that LGBTQ people, and those supportive of LGBTQ rights, are engaging in child grooming and enabling child sexual abuse. Although the belief that LGBTQ individuals are more likely to molest children has no basis in fact, this stereotype has existed for decades in the United States and Europe, going back to before World War II.^[1]

The specific use of the term groomer as a slur^[2][3] to refer to LGBTQ people (particularly trans people^[4] and drag queens)^[5] became more prominent during partisan political campaigning in the 2020s,^[6][7] where it was often used to justify anti-LGBTQ curriculum bills.^[6][7] Despite originating with the far-right, the conspiracy theory regarding the supposed sexual grooming of children has been pushed by a growing number of mainstream conservatives,^[8] especially in the United States.^[9] The conspiracy theory has since spread among conservatives in other countries, including Australia,^{[10][11][12][13]} Canada,^[14] France,^[15][16] Ireland,^[17] New Zealand^[18] and the United Kingdom.^[19]

The Southern Poverty Law Center characterizes this trope as an anti-LGBTQ myth.^[20] Aja Romano labels these ideas a moral panic.^[8] There is no reliable evidence that sexual orientation minorities are likely to abuse children.^{[21][22][23][24]} Advocates for children's rights have protested that the conspiracy theories make it difficult for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to access resources and help.^[25] LGBTQ rights organizations have condemned the use of such notions as encouraging discrimination in the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, Hungary, Uganda, and elsewhere.^[26]