Anti-LGBTQ+ Religious Figures Accused of Child Abuse in the U.S.

A Growing Scandal Revealing the Hypocrisy Within Anti-LGBTQ+ Religious Circles

Since the start of 2025, at least 188 Christian or conservative religious leaders—publicly known for their opposition to LGBTQ+ rights—have been accused of sexually abusing minors across the United States. This data, compiled by journalist Evan Hurst in his Wonkette Substack newsletter, brings to light a sharp contrast between the strict moral rhetoric many of these figures promote and the criminal behaviors uncovered in their ranks.

Extensive and Ongoing Tracking Effort

Evan Hurst has been closely following these cases for years, meticulously cataloging every arrest, charge, or conviction involving pastors, priests, faith-based school teachers, and youth group leaders attached to religious institutions. Between August and October 2025 alone, he added 50 new cases to his records, bringing the yearly total to 188.

“These stories come in every single week,” noted Hurst, highlighting the absence of similar cases involving drag performers or transgender individuals, despite ongoing conservative efforts to vilify these communities.

An Unofficial Database with Verified Sources

While not officially recognized, Hurst’s database is thoroughly built using judicial records and credible media reports. Its publication comes amid a politically charged atmosphere in which the American religious right has portrayed LGBTQ+ people as a threat to children, often using the baseless and harmful term “groomer.” This language continues to fuel legislative attacks against sexual and gender minorities, especially in Republican-led states that adopt policies restricting LGBTQ+ rights.

Calling Out the Double Standard

The evidence gathered by Hurst challenges the mainstream conservative narrative. The vast majority of individuals accused or convicted of offenses against minors belong to right-wing religious communities that vocally campaign against LGBTQ+ rights. A recent example is Joshua David Kemper, a California pastor known for his virulent anti-LGBTQ+ posts, who was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl just days after the latest figures were released.

Exposing the Politicized Misuse of “Protecting Children”

Evan Hurst emphasizes that his aim is not to link religious belief to criminal behavior, but rather to highlight the hypocrisy of a movement that claims moral authority while frequently harboring and concealing serious abuse under its veil.

Global Echoes of U.S. Rhetoric

Although specific to the U.S., this stigmatizing narrative about the LGBTQ+ community is beginning to gain traction in France as well, particularly in conservative spaces and on social media. These imported messages fuel discrimination and hatred, despite a complete lack of supporting data.

Where the Abuse Really Happens

Hurst doesn’t claim that his figures constitute a scientific study, but they do align with multiple media and court investigations showing that child abuse predominantly occurs within institutional settings—like schools, churches, or sports organizations—not among LGBTQ+ communities, who are often falsely blamed.

A Timely Reminder Amid Legislative Attacks

In 2025, more than 20 U.S. states have passed or are considering laws aimed at reducing LGBTQ+ visibility or rights. Against this backdrop, Hurst’s investigation serves as a vital wake-up call: child protection must not become a tool for persecuting minorities—especially when the facts repeatedly point to abuse originating from those who claim to be morally superior.

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