Children's YouTuber Ms. Rachel faces boycott over Pride message

Ms. Rachel received backlash for supporting LGBTQ+ people. (YouTube/Ms. Rachel)

Children’s entertainer and YouTube star Ms Rachel has been flooded with right-wing and anti-LGBTQ+ hate after celebrating Pride Month.

The social media influencer, real name Rachel Accurso, was targeted by conservative pundits after sharing a post on TikTok with her 4.7 million followers, in which she said: “Happy Pride to all our wonderful families and friends. This month and every month I celebrate you. I’m so glad you’re here. I’m so happy that you are exactly who you are.

“To those who are going to comment, they can no longer watch the show because of this support: no worries, and lots of love to you. God bless. I am not looking for fame or opinions, I am very much in love.

This statement led some people to accuse Accurso of being a “groomer” – a slur typically used against LGBTQ+ people and allies.

Calls for a boycott were immediately posted on social media, including by TikTok Libs founder Chaya Raichik and self-described “theocratic fascist” Matt Walsh, who called on parents to avoid the channel.

“This is a message to conservative parents. She doesn’t want your stuff,” Walsh said. “You should respond accordingly.”

Others began spreading conspiracy theories that Accurso was trying to “turn your kids gay” while urging parents to stay away from his YouTube channel.

Despite the outrage, Accurso’s YouTube channel, which has more than 10 million subscribers, did not suffer a major blow. According to statistics site Social Blade, it still receives a daily average of over 11 million views and a weekly average of over 78 million.

Its monthly subscriber count grew 4.4 percent, averaging 450,000 subscribers every 30 days and more than 15,000 every 24 hours.

She is no stranger to being attacked for her support of LGBTQ+ rights, having previously faced a minimal boycott from right-wing activists for featuring non-binary musician Jules Hoffman, who uses gender-neutral pronouns. In the aftermath, Accurso said she would be taking a temporary break from social media to focus on her mental health.

“Hurtful videos and comments, no matter how much attention they get, won’t get you what you want. Only love can do that,” she said.