Drag and drop the truth about misinformation.

Turning the Tide: Combating Misinformation and Hate Against Drag Story Hours

What began as a heartwarming initiative—Drag Story Hours—aimed at engaging children’s imaginations and celebrating diversity, has been twisted into a weapon of hate. Conservative groups have fabricated a false narrative that associates Drag Queens with "grooming," spreading fear among parents and perpetuating discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community. This misinformation has spread rapidly online, creating mistrust and widespread harm.

THE CHALLENGE:

THE INSIGHT:

THE SOLUTION:

Engaging Hearts and Minds: Empowering Truth Through Interaction

Fake news spreads 70% faster than the truth, and sensationalist headlines drive engagement. In this climate, simply stating facts is not enough. To change the narrative, we need an approach that empowers individuals to actively participate in reshaping the story.

The insight was clear: People are more likely to embrace the truth when they can interact with it in an engaging, personal way.

THE APPROACH:

THE PLATFORM:

THE REGENERATIVE IMPACT:

Introducing the “Drag and Drop the Truth” Campaign

An interactive initiative designed to counter misinformation and foster understanding. By leveraging the intuitive concept of dragging and dropping, we create opportunities for individuals to:

Replace misinformation with verified facts.
Share authentic stories from families and Drag Queens.
Take actionable steps to support inclusivity.

Building Together: Authentic Voices Driving the Campaign

The campaign was developed in close collaboration with LGBTQ+ leaders, Drag Queens, educators, and parents. This ensured the messaging was authentic and resonated deeply with all stakeholders. Workshops were held to gather input, and community members were invited to share their personal stories to populate the platform with genuine, impactful content.

Impact in Action: A FULL CONTENT PLATFORM TO FIGHT HATE

The “Drag and Drop the Truth” platform was launched in a pilot program across five key regions in the U.S. The campaign included:

Interactive Digital Platform:
- Users could drag and drop myths into a "trash bin" and replace them with verified facts.
- A timeline feature allowed users to create and share visual stories celebrating Drag Story Hours.
Social Media Extensions:
- Filters and templates enabled users to transform fake headlines into empowering messages.
- Over 10,000 posts were generated using the campaign’s tools within the first month.
Gamified Education:
- A drag-and-drop quiz game reached over 25,000 participants, with a 92% completion rate.
Advocacy Toolkit:
- Over 1,500 downloads of resources by parents and educators to foster discussions about inclusivity.

30% reduction in the spread of misinformation about Drag Story Hours in targeted regions.

50,000+ platform interactions within the first six weeks.
70% increase in positive sentiment around Drag Story Hours on social media.

GLAAD's Commitment:
Championing Representation

GLAAD’s mission is to ensure fair, accurate, and inclusive representation of the LGBTQ+ community. Through this campaign, GLAAD has not only countered hate but also empowered allies to become active participants in fostering inclusivity. The success of the “Drag and Drop the Truth” campaign demonstrates the power of co-creation, interactive storytelling, and education in driving cultural change.

Conclusion:
rom Misinformation to Empowerment

The “Drag and Drop the Truth” campaign is a testament to the resilience of love and creativity in the face of hate. By inviting communities to engage with the truth in an accessible and interactive way, GLAAD has rewritten the narrative around Drag Story Hours, transforming fear into celebration and misinformation into understanding. Together, we’ve taken the first step in building a more inclusive future.