Earlier this week, rumors were circulated about an Instagram profile in Sacramento being a "Proud Boy Infiltrator." While chasing this rumor, several bodies reproduced this rumor on public social media platforms, targeting a local Trans & Queer advocate and leading to their harassment. We got to the source of this rumor, who when challenged, said their evidence for this person being a "Proud Boy infiltrator" was due to their use of Neopronouns, which the source alleged is something only Proud Boys use to mock Trans & Queer. To be explicit and clear, Neopronouns are valid and used prevalently.

Those who reproduced this rumor did so without knowing the source accusers reasoning, and in doing so, pointed thousands of followers toward this person.

The targeting of Trans & Queer people using baseless rumors is as tied to Queerness as its history. It is our duty in our community to be critical of claims against Trans & Queer people, and cognitive in the ways bad actors will play into misinformation. Although this instance resulted in character damage, this practice of rumor-milling against other Trans & Queer people literally gets us killed.

While there are many threats against our communities, and even sometimes from inside of them, we must continue to encourage our fellow community members to handle these affairs responsibly, and with intention.

We have chosen to make this moment an educational one, and have worked diligently to produce our first zine, clarifying the importance of verifying good information - and putting bad information to rest. We view this as an important and relevant zine for any group participating in community defense activities for Trans & Queer people and we hope it will serve your future organizing well.

"Stop Disinfo In Its Tracks" (2023)
Pride Was A Riot, Sac

Full, imposed & ready to print from our Cryptpad. Help us move this to Twitter on our behalf!

https://cryptpad.fr/drive/#/2/drive/view/QiZJF122207Nlg81R4iVwaGSzyhGsOIz1YRP0WJBRgk/