A horrific 142 attacks against drag events were reported in the US in 2022, according to the LGBTQ+ advocacy group GLAAD.
The media watchdog organisation revised its report on Friday, December 16, to incorporate new information obtained from a Texas equality group and changes to state legislation.
Once the newly reported occurrences are considered, the frightening total of anti-drag violence in the US in 2022 has increased from 124 (as of November 22) to 141.
GLAAD says they reviewed articles and news reports across all US states and various other sources to reach their findings.
Texas reportedly had the worst number out of any state, with at least 20 recorded incidents targeting drag events, incidents that Equality Texas says included armed demonstrations in San Antonio and Roanoke, as well as protests at family-friendly shows.
The report showed that only three states had seen no reported attacks in 2022 (South Dakota, Rhode Island, and West Virginia). However, GLAAD highlights that incidents that could have occurred may not have been reported.
“A number of incidents involved violence or weapons,” the report says.
“Extremist groups like the Proud Boys, Patriot Front, and local white supremacist chapters were involved in several incidents.”
The revised statistics used in the report also include the horrific shooting at Club Q in Colorado, where five lost their lives.
