Europe (Washington Insider Magazine) – A recent analysis has uncovered that one in every two false statements against LGTBI people in Europe portrays them as a danger to children. These fabrications often accuse LGTBI orientations and identities of being associated with pedophilia or manipulating minors, according to a database created for the European elections.
Elections24Check Project Findings
According to Infobae, the Elections24Check project, funded by Google and part of a coalition of 40 verification organizations, has identified 11 out of 22 false claims in its repository since January that perpetuate this harmful narrative. These falsehoods have been detected in various countries, including Italy, Georgia, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, and Spain.
Increased Misinformation Around Pride Celebrations
The spread of these misleading statements has intensified in the weeks leading up to the Pride celebrations, which also coincide with the Day against LGTBIphobia and the European elections. This uptick highlights the targeted nature of these falsehoods during significant events for the LGTBI community.
Harmful Rhetoric and Its Impact
Baseless Allegations in Italy
In Italy, some internet users falsely claimed that the Pride flag, designed by Valentino Vecchietti to include trans and intersex people, was being used as a symbol by pedophiles. Other social media posts inaccurately suggested that rainbow colors were chosen to “attract children,” lacking any factual basis.
False Accusations in Spain
In Spain, false claims circulated that the World Economic Forum had called for pedophilia to be recognized as another orientation to be included in the LGTBI group. This rhetoric, which falsely equates homosexuality with criminal behavior, reinforces harmful stereotypes and societal distrust towards the LGTBI community, according to Katrin Hugendubel, legal director of the International Gay and Lesbian Association (ILGA) in Europe.
Tactics and Spread of Misinformation
Out-of-Context Images and Events
A significant portion of anti-LGTBI misinformation involves accusations of inappropriate behavior in front of minors or attempts to manipulate them. Often, out-of-context images from unrelated events are used to support these false claims. For example, a photograph from the Torrevieja carnival in Spain, featuring children in cabaret costumes and rainbow motifs, was misrepresented as a Pride Day march in the Netherlands.
Satirical Content Misused in Georgia
In Georgia, a country with a high volume of anti-LGTBI misinformation, a satirical children’s book titled “Baby Jesus Does Not Hate Sissies” was falsely claimed to be a real publication aimed at children. This example, highlighted by Georgian fact-checker FactCheck, demonstrates how satire intended for adults can be twisted to spread false narratives.
Broader Implications
Research on Disinformation Trends
A study by Carlos III University has shown that misinformation against the LGTBI community often spikes during significant national or international events, particularly around International Pride Day. This trend is evident in Spain and Poland, where falsehoods circulate more intensely during these periods.
Foreign Influence and Manipulation
The European External Action Service has identified that foreign actors, particularly from pro-Kremlin profiles, use anti-LGTBI disinformation to manipulate and interfere in European Union affairs. These narratives are designed to portray LGTBI individuals as a threat to childhood, promoting Russia as a defender of conservative values against the perceived moral crisis in the West. In Georgia, 75% of anti-LGTBI content comes from these pro-Kremlin sources.