ATLANTA, Georgia (April 24, 2023) — Georgia Equality is deeply concerned following an increase in violent rhetoric and actions targeting the LGBTQ+ community across Georgia.

This past weekend, several neighborhoods in Atlanta were littered with anti-Semitic and transphobic flyers which stoked fears of a “rise in transgenderism,” and spread harmful conspiracy theories about the trans community and Jewish individuals.

Meanwhile, in Forsyth County, organizers of an all-ages drag event were forced to cancel the event after receiving violent threats. In response, Congressman Rich McCormick hosted a “family fun day” on the same day as the canceled event, calling it a “lewd drag queen performance,” and labeling it an “attempt to target and indoctrinate our children,” on his social media.

Following this, an anonymous Facebook page entitled “Who’s Poisoning Forsyth,” has shared identifying information for local drag performers, encouraging harassment in an attempt to intimidate residents and local businesses who have been affiliated with drag shows in the past.

False claims of “grooming” and “sexualizing children” have long been weaponized against LGBTQ individuals in order to stoke fear and spread misinformation. Drag is a long-established art form for people across demographics and gender identities, but it has recently been co-opted by extremist leaders to advance a radical anti-trans agenda.

Make no mistake, all of this fear-mongering rhetoric directly correlates to an increase in violence against the LGBTQ community and– more specifically– the transgender community. Already in April, two Black transgender women, Ashley Burton and Koko Williams, have been murdered in Atlanta. While extremist politicians seek to capitalize on divisions and sow hate against the LGBTQ community, transgender Georgians are paying the consequences.

We strongly urge all Georgia leaders to stand firmly against hate and violence in all forms and to focus on de-escalating an already tense atmosphere. LGBTQ Georgians deserve to live authentically without fear of violence or harassment for being who they are.

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Founded in 1995, Georgia Equality is the state’s largest advocacy organization working to advance fairness, safety and opportunity for Georgia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities, and our allies.