Fox News attacked the LGBTQ community at least once on 106 of the first 180 days of this year and on 87% of Pride month according to a new study from Media Matters. The report describes these attacks as “extreme and harmful,” stating that “anchors, hosts, and guests repeatedly spread baseless lies about queer and trans people.”
These “attacks” include the networks persistent attempts to redefine gender-affirming care for underage trans people as child abuse, accusing LGBTQ people of grooming children for sexual exploitation, and deadnaming and misgendering trans people. Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson reportedly “called for violence” against teachers who speak on LGBTQ+ related issues with students. The New Civil Rights Movement called out Laura Ingraham earlier this year for a March segment in which the chyron read: “”LIBERALS ARE SEXUALLY GROOMING ELEMENTARY STUDENTS” and later, “DEMS HAPPY TO RUN ON PRO-GROOMING PLATFORM.”
The study suggests that these attacks coincide with what seems to be the Republican political agenda, quoting a CNN report on the 162 anti-LGBTQ bills the Republicans have introduced this year. While also highlighting how Fox’ increased anti-LGBTQ rhetoric also is on par with a rise in violence against the LGBTQ community, “incidents of anti-LGBTQ demonstrations and violence rose from 15 events in 2020 to 61 in 2021, according to data collected by Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project.”