October 10, 2023
White House Blasts Anti-LGBTQ+ Social Media Attacks on Out Department of the Interior Spokesperson
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
The anti-LGBTQ+ account Libs of TikTok swooped to a new low with social media attacks on an openly gay spokesperson for the Department of the Interior, and the White House clapped back.
"The attacks online are targeting Tyler Cherry, Interior's principal deputy communications director, and started when the right-wing social media account... criticized Cherry's appearance on X, formerly known as Twitter," noted political news source The Hill.
"The account shared photographs and old posts from Cherry last week, which sparked an online debate and led to conservative voices bashing him online," The Hill added.
Among other posts, the account, which was created by anti-LGBTQ+ influencer Chaya Raichik, hyperventilated over Cherry's hoop earrings. "What has happened to our country?" the post read, next to an official portrait of Cherry.
A volley of vitriol followed, with subsequent posts attacking Cherry for his own past tweets, which Libs of TikTok characterized as "propagating the Russia hoax, saying healthcare is racist and transphobic, saying that Trump won because of white supremacy, [and] promoting pronouns..."
The usual grab-bag of fringe-right talking points, in other words.
"Biden admin try not to hire total weirdos challenge = impossible," Libs of TikTok sneered.
The Washington Post noted that Cheery "is part of a queer DJ collective pushing for a more inclusive LGBTQ nightlife scene in Washington," and he seemed to come in for abuse on that count, as well.
The Biden White House lost no time in calling out the account, saying the posts attacking his appearance, sexual orientation, and political views were "cruel and unacceptable," The Hill relayed.
"No one should be targeted simply for being themselves," a statement from the White House said. "This is an administration that believes to our core in the principle that out of many we are one – and we are proud that the people who serve in it reflect those values as well."
"Tyler is an invaluable member of our team who continues to deliver for the Department of the Interior and the American people."
The Post noted that Cherry "joined the Biden administration during its first weeks in 2021, and previously worked in Democratic politics in Arizona and at the liberal watchdog group Media Matters for America, according to his X and LinkedIn profiles."
"Raichik's posts came less than a week after Interior Secretary Deb Haaland posted a video of herself with self-described queer environmentalist and drag queen Pattie Gonia, discussing the cultural importance of Stonewall National Monument, which commemorates the LGBTQ civil rights movement," the Post noted.
"Some critics, including tennis star Martina Navratilova who is a lesbian, questioned why the interior secretary would appear with the performer," the Post went on to say.
"Navratilova suggested that dressing in drag amounts to a 'pathetic parody of women,' though some drag performers have been active in LGBTQ rights."
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
