Free Mom Hugs volunteer labeled a 'groomer' by far-right group. Here's how she responded

A volunteer for Free Mom Hugs, an Oklahoma-based LGBTQ+ advocacy group, became the center of far-right malice after a Moms for Liberty co-founder called her a "groomer" on social media.

After Free Moms Hug posted a photo of one of their volunteers on Instagram, Tiffany Justice, Moms for Liberty co-founder, insinuated the volunteer was a groomer in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“If you are offering kids 'free Mom hugs' but you aren’t their Mom, you might be a Groomer,” Justice wrote.

In response, the volunteer wrote a statement to The Advocate:

“Me, a groomer? I don’t even bathe my own dogs at home."

She told The Advocate that she changed her own conservative views about LGBTQ+ people after her queer daughter attempted suicide. This turning point led her from a life filled with fear and judgment, shaped by her conservative upbringing and religious background, to one of love, acceptance, and advocacy.

Representatives from Moms for Liberty and Free Mom Hugs had not responded to requests for comment by Monday evening.

Why is the LGBTQ+ community being called 'groomers'?

Grooming refers to behaviors used by abusers to build trust with children or young people to aid in manipulating or exploiting them.

According to the Anti-Defamation League, a human rights group, the term has been used by anti-LGBTQ+ groups to falsely imply that members of the LGBTQ+ community are pedophiles and are “grooming” children by discussing issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity.

This rhetoric, according to the ADL, has led to a spike in harassment, threats and violence targeting the LGBTQ+ community.

It has also fueled anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and policies. In Oklahoma, the beginning of the 2024 legislative session saw over 50 anti-LGBTQ+ bills, and three are still active.

What is Moms for Liberty?

Moms for Liberty is a conservative group labeled as an extremist group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

The SPLC says the group is at the forefront of ramped-up and coordinated hard-right attacks on schools, citing disruptions at school board meetings to combat inclusive curriculum, LGBTQ rights and what they see as inappropriate reading material in classrooms and libraries.

In response to the label, Oklahoma state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters issued a statement where he "wholeheartedly condemns the Southern Poverty Law Center's reckless and boneheaded comments toward mothers in Oklahoma."

What is Free Mom Hugs?

Free Mom Hugs is an LGBTQ+ advocacy group dedicated to affirming queer people.

The organization was founded by Sara Cunningham, an Oklahoman who was inspired to launch Free Mom Hugs by her son's experience of being rejected for his sexuality.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Free Mom Hugs volunteer responds to Moms for Liberty 'groomer' comment