A number of social media platforms, including Reddit, have banned the word “groomer” when used as an insult, considering it hate speech.
Although the term, as popularized by author James Lindsay on his New Discourses podcast, is being used to combat both sexual abuse and leftist indoctrination, the argument has been misrepresented by mainstream news outlets as a slur against gay and transgender people.
Sexual and gender minorities have certainly faced false stereotypes of being sexual abusers, and contrary to what some would have you believe, many of these minorities are horrified at the cultural push to expose children to sexually inappropriate material. If anything, this activism is what is doing a disservice to gay people. The average person isn’t aware of the disconnect between LGBT+ activism and the gay community and doesn’t realize that activists are pushing their own agenda while operating under the guise of caring about gay people.
Parents have the right to oppose gender ideology and queer theory in K-12 education. It also isn’t “hate speech” to call someone a groomer when what they are doing is grooming. A similar theme has been evident in the obsession with incorporating drag queens in schools and child-centric events. Claims of supporting diversity and offering care to young people are Trojan horses for gaslighting the public into believing that sexualizing children is normal.
Readers, of course, don’t have to take my word for it. Those vocally supporting these programs, and sneering at those who oppose them, turn out to be sexual predators themselves.
As a parent, there is a lot you can do to protect your children and prevent victimization. Be watchful of anyone who seeks to spend time alone with a child, even if it appears to be for benevolent reasons, including childcare, mentorship, or car rides home. Teach children to tell you if anyone touches them inappropriately or tries to talk to them about sexual subject matter, even if it is someone you know and would normally trust. Let other adults know that you are paying attention.
Grooming happens everywhere children congregate, especially in the online world, on social media, in video games, and even on help forums. Be aware that online resources for kids who have questions about sexuality are frequently populated with child predators. They will go to great lengths to help a child hide any history of correspondence with them.
Dr. Debra Soh is a sex neuroscientist, the host of The Dr. Debra Soh Podcast, and the author of The End of Gender: Debunking the Myths About Sex and Identity in Our Society.
