The "We're coming for your children" chant at the NYC Drag March sparked significant debate and criticism, particularly regarding an NBC News report that claimed the chant has been used "for years." The report quoted the march's original organizer, Brian Griffin, who downplayed the chant, suggesting it was intended to play into stereotypes. NBC News presented the chant as a provocative response to anti-LGBTQ+ slurs, a perspective challenged by some conservatives and commentators.
Participants in the 2023 NYC Pride March (REUTERS/David Dee Delgado)
Critics questioned the NBC report's framing, with some viewing it as an inadequate defense of the chant. Mollie Hemingway of The Federalist and CNN commentator Scott Jennings expressed skepticism about the report's claim that the chant has a long history. Stephen Miller of The Spectator suggested NBC was aware of the negative optics. A community note on Twitter highlighted the lack of evidence provided by NBC to support its claims.
Attendees gather at Washington Square Park after the 2023 NYC Pride Parade (REUTERS/David Dee Delgado)
Griffin admitted to using other provocative chants at the march, while NBC News also reported the common use of the chant "God is a lesbian" at the event.
Scene from the 29th annual New York City Drag March (Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images)
NBC News cited unnamed "Drag March regulars" as their source for the historical context of the controversial chant, also referencing a previous Gothamist report on different chants used at the march the prior year.
