rights
Right-wing PAC paying the price after posting heinous "groomer" lies about gay teacher & ally parent
By Greg Owen at LGBTQ Nation
· July 8, 2026
· 3 min read
A gay teacher and a parent ally were awarded over $1M in compensatory damages in June after suffering years of defamation at the hands of a right-wing Virginia political action committee. The Virginia Project PAC and its founder, David Gordon, were found liable for falsely claiming that the teacher,
Key takeaway , was a member of a "grooming gang" in Fairfax County public schools.
Why this matters
The recent court ruling awarding over $1M in compensatory damages to a gay teacher and a parent ally highlights the consequences of spreading defamatory and homophobic content. The right-wing Virginia political action committee's false claims of a "grooming gang" and "child abduction scheme" not only harmed the individuals targeted but also perpetuated harmful stereotypes about the LGBTQ+ community. This case connects to a broader national trend of using "groomer" rhetoric to attack LGBTQ+ individuals and allies, particularly those advocating for inclusive school policies. The fact that the defendants used social media to amplify their harassment and intimidation campaign underscores the need for platforms to take responsibility for hosting such content. As the national conversation around LGBTQ+ rights and online harassment continues, this case may set a precedent for holding individuals and organizations accountable for spreading defamatory and hateful content, and may inform the work of organizations like the National LGBTQ Task Force.
About this story
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Category: rights ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A gay teacher and a parent ally were awarded over $1M in compensatory damages in June after suffering years of defamation at the hands of a right-wing Virginia political action committee. The Virginia Project PAC and its founder, David Gordon, were found liable for falsely claiming that the teacher,
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Greg Owen at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .