New research shows that Twitter users have used the antigay slur “groomer” more frequently since Elon Musk took over the platform.A study by Media Matters and GLAAD released this week found that Twitter users retweeted nine prominent anti-LGBTQ+ accounts 1,200 percent more when they used the “groomer” slur in their tweets after Musk’s October 27 takeover compared with the month before.The accounts also showed an increase of over 1,100 percent in tweets from right-wing media accounts containing the word. The study looked at prominent far-right influencers, including Tim Pool, Jack Posobiec, Jake Shield, Jaimee Michell’s Gays Against Groomers, Blaire White, Allie Beth Stuckey, Seth Dillon, Andy Ngo, and Mike Cernovic.Chaya Raichik’s Libs of TikTok mentions of groomer language grew from about 2,000 to almost 14,000, according to the report.In addition, the study found that mentions of prominent LGBTQ+ accounts in tweets with “groomer” in them increased during that time, with one account rising by more than 225,000 percent after Musk acquired Twitter.The Anti-Defamation League also explored how hateful rhetoric and harassment spread on Twitter. The ADL found that these provocateurs depend on networked harassment to spread hate.
