Gays Against Groomers, a group within the LGBTQ+ community that claims to be “fighting to end the war on children,” criticized a proposal by Minnesota Congressman Lee Finke, which would allow “gay” minors to access adult websites for “educational purposes.”
“It’s time to wipe out the hard drives of these creeps. Pure evil,” the group expressed on X, sharing some of Finke’s comments made during a congressional session.
The backlash emerged as a House committee is looking into a bill requiring adult websites to verify users’ ages prior to granting access to pornographic materials.
Responding to the criticism, Finke took to Instagram, mentioning that comments were edited, asserting that he supports preventing minors from accessing porn and aims to collaborate with Republicans on legislation for that purpose.
His rationale is that some students “don’t receive adequate sex education regarding queer kids,” necessitating access to non-“hardcore” pornographic sites.
The transgender lawmaker also posted a video of her full presentation at a legislative committee.
In the comment addressing the issue, he wrote:
“Yesterday in the Commerce Committee, I conveyed my intention to work with Republican writers on legislation that would prohibit minors from accessing pornography. I expressed my concern that the bill, while based on valid needs, is being weaponized against LGBT individuals and children.”
“This was a productive discussion, and we concurred that minors’ access to hardcore pornography should be blocked without endangering LGBTQ+ youth who may lack resources to navigate their identities and communities.”
He also accused the “Republican Party” of distorting his stated intentions.
“I noted how my statements are being used to harm me due to my identity. It took just hours for this to spread among the usual critics. I anticipated this bill and was preparing a considered response,” he added.
Since becoming Minnesota’s first transgender lawmaker in 2023, Finke has faced controversy as a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ and various leftist causes. Recently, she sponsored an anti-masking bill related to federal immigration enforcement.
Gays Against Groomers has faced backlash from the left, with allegations that it is a MAGA-oriented group concealing itself as a gay advocacy organization.
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a left-wing watchdog organization, claims:
“The group endorses anti-LGBTQ ideologies, labeling almost all expressions of LGBTQ+ identities as ‘sexualized’ and potentially dangerous to young people. GAG also racializes transphobia, suggesting that transgender identities pose a threat, particularly to white children, and is supported by groups like Black Lives Matter.”
Meanwhile, the bill being considered in Minnesota would mandate that commercial websites featuring content deemed “harmful to minors” verify that users are at least 18 years old before granting access. This proposal is still under review by the Minnesota House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee.
The new law, to be enforced by state attorneys general, also permits parents and guardians to sue websites that do not comply with age verification requirements.
