The annual Drag March in New York City, held as part of Pride Month celebrations, has stirred controversy and outrage due to a chant heard from participants, stating, “We’re here, we’re queer, we’re coming for your children.”
The march occurred on the night of June 23, with participants in vibrant drag attire parading through Tompkins Square Park in the East Village. Videos of the event circulated on social media, capturing people joining in with the chant, including a topless woman dancing.
The marchers concluded their procession at the historic Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village. Conservatives swiftly condemned the chant, accusing LGBTQ activists of “grooming” minors and fueling an alleged “medical child abuse industry.” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) tweeted, calling for the passage of the Protect Children’s Innocence Act, a bill in Congress that aims to criminalize gender-affirming care for minors.
Attorney Jenna Ellis, formerly part of Donald Trump’s legal team, also criticized the chant, alluding to the allegations made against the drag community. Some online users interpreted the chant as a satirical response to accusations of pedophilia within the drag community from the right. They argued that the intention was to provoke a reaction and challenge societal norms, told NY Post.
However, critics expressed concerns that the chant could negatively impact public perception of the LGBTQ community, potentially undermining progress in acceptance and equality. This incident occurs as New York City nears the conclusion of its Pride Month celebrations with the annual Pride parade, which commemorates the pivotal Stonewall Riots of 1969 in the LGBTQ rights movement.
The public reaction to the chant highlights the ongoing tension between different ideological perspectives on LGBTQ rights, child welfare, and freedom of expression. While some view the chant as an expression of pride and defiance against discrimination, others see it as an inappropriate message perpetuating negative stereotypes about the LGBTQ community.
It is important to note that this article aims to provide an objective summary of the events and public reactions surrounding the chant at the NYC Drag March. The opinions expressed by individuals or groups mentioned in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication.
