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ARTICLE · 02 JANUARY 2024

Ontario Court SLAPPs Down "Groomer" Slur: Drag Performers Can Continue With Defamation Claim

McCarthy Tétrault
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The Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled on December 14, 2023 that "groomer" slurs targeting members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community are not protected by Ontario's anti-SLAPP...

CanadaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Adam Goldenberg
Adam Goldenberg
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Ljiljana Stanic
Leah Strand
Leah Strand
Will Dandie
Will Dandie
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The Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled on December 14, 2023 that "groomer" slurs targeting members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community are not protected by Ontario's anti-SLAPP law and may be the subject of a defamation claim.

What You Need to Know

In Rainbow Alliance Dryden et al. v. Webster, 2023 ONSC 7050, Nieckarz J. determined that statements alleging that drag performers "sexualize children and aim to recruit them into the 2SLGBTQI community" perpetuate harmful stereotypes and myths. Justice Nieckarz concluded that such statements do not constitute expression on a matter of public interest.

The plaintiffs are a small-town Pride organization and a local drag king. The decision clears the path for them to continue their defamation action against the defendant, a Thunder Bay blogger.

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