Michigan lawmaker’s forceful speech rebuts ‘grooming’ attack
Associated PressLANSING, Mich. — Republican Sen. Lana Theis opened a Michigan Senate session with an invocation by claiming children are being attacked by “forces” that want to indoctrinate them with ideas their parents do not support. Theis called Sen. Mallory McMorrow a liberal social media “troll” and accused her of wanting to “groom” and “sexualize” kindergartners and teach “that 8-year-olds are responsible for slavery.” McMorrow responded Tuesday with a forceful, impassioned floor speech that resonated nationwide. “I am a straight, white, Christian, married, suburban mom” who wants “every kid to feel seen, heard and supported — not marginalized and targeted because they are not straight, white and Christian,” she said. Republicans’ use of “grooming” rhetoric comes as one of their own, former state House Speaker Lee Chatfield, is under investigation for allegedly sexually assaulting his future sister-in-law starting when she was a minor.
History of this topic
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The Independent
Accusations of 'grooming' are the latest political attack — with homophobic origins
NPR
The far-right's repulsive QAnon-infused 'groomer' smear is a clarion call for violence
Raw Story
Michigan Democrat blasts GOP ‘groomer’ slurs and school censorship efforts in powerful speech
The Independent
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