The White House is condemning recent online attacks against an openly gay Interior Department spokesman. The attacks online are targeting Tyler Cherry, Interior’s principal deputy communications director, and started when the right-wing social media account LibsofTikTok criticized Cherry’s appearance on X, formerly known as Twitter. The account shared photographs and old posts from Cherry last week, which sparked an online debate and led to conservative voices bashing him online. The debate included conversations over Cherry’s style and what it means to appear professional. One conservative X account holder pointed out Tyler’s hoop earrings, while a former aide to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and a conservative communicator, Steve Guest mocked Cherry as a radical leftist. The Biden administration pushed back taking Tyler’s side and mentioning him as an invaluable member of the team. The White House statement called this attack cruel and unacceptable. Cherry is also an LGBTQ+ rights activist and is part of a queer DJ collective in Washington, D.C.. He has worked as a spokesman for the Interior Department since the beginning of the Biden administration and was promoted to principal deputy communications director in June.
2024 Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride Parade Live Broadcast
June 19, 2024
