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Far-Right Exploits “Therian” Subculture to Fuel Anti-LGBTQ Rhetoric
A small internet subculture is suddenly at the center of a manufactured controversy, as far-right groups and social media users leverage AI-generated content about “therians” to attack transgender rights and progressive policies.
The controversy centers on “therians,” individuals who identify on psychological, physical or spiritual levels with non-human animals. While this community has existed online since the 1990s, it has recently become the target of coordinated misinformation campaigns, particularly in Spanish-speaking countries.
Viral AI-generated videos showing people walking on all fours in public spaces or purportedly protesting for animal identity rights have amassed millions of views on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. The videos frequently contain visible digital artifacts and inconsistencies that reveal their artificial nature, such as distorted text on protest signs or unnatural movements.
The manufactured controversy has had real-world impact. In Huehuetenango, Guatemala, local authorities issued a formal statement prohibiting “therian” gatherings in public squares, citing concerns about moral standards. The municipal government warned that “activities, exhibitions or gatherings” linked to therian groups would require prior authorization, despite little evidence of actual therian activity in the region.
In Spain, the situation escalated further when a supposed therian rally in Barcelona attracted approximately 4,000 people. However, reports indicate most attendees were curiosity seekers or far-right activists, with very few actual therians present. Some unverified reports claimed violent confrontations occurred.
Google search data confirms the artificial nature of the controversy. Searches for “therian” and phrases like “what is a therian?” spiked dramatically in February, particularly in Spanish-speaking regions. Before this manufactured campaign, interest in therians was minimal and stable.
The actual therian community, which has approximately 28,000 members on Reddit’s r/therians forum, has expressed concern about the sudden spotlight. Moderators warned users against sharing personal information due to the negative attention, with one member lamenting: “It’s so hard now to find recent therian posts that isn’t from people who aren’t from the community.”
European Parliament member Irene Montero has accused Argentine President Javier Milei of engineering the controversy to fuel anti-transgender sentiment. Remarks from a 2023 interview where Milei discussed gender identity have resurfaced in recent weeks, with him saying: “If you want to see yourself as a puma, that’s fine, in fact, I’ll call you a puma if you want, but don’t force it on me.”
The controversy has caused frustration among LGBTQ+ activists. Transgender influencer Camila D. Aurora addressed the issue, emphasizing that therians should not be compared to transgender people. “Therians are more of a new cultural identity or a form of spiritual identity, but they have no validity in psychology, medicine, anthropology, or any serious science,” she said in a recent video.
Aurora further clarified that unlike transgender identity, which has substantial scientific backing, “animal dysphoria doesn’t exist.” She expressed frustration that the manufactured controversy was designed specifically to undermine transgender rights.
The rapid spread of this misinformation demonstrates how easily AI-generated content can be weaponized to create moral panic and further political agendas. While people who identify as therians do exist in small online communities, the current controversy appears largely manufactured, amplified by those looking to promote anti-progressive narratives by creating a false equivalence between transgender identity and more niche internet subcultures.
As social media platforms struggle to contain the spread of AI-generated misinformation, this case highlights the growing challenge of distinguishing between authentic grassroots movements and manufactured controversies designed to exploit social divisions.
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12 Comments
This is a concerning development that highlights the potential for AI-generated content to be weaponized for political agendas. The targeting of niche online communities is particularly troubling, as it can have real-world consequences, as seen in the case of Guatemala. We need robust fact-checking and media literacy initiatives to combat this.
You’re right, the blending of synthetic media and political narratives is a dangerous trend that requires a multifaceted approach. Platforms, policymakers, and civil society must work together to develop effective strategies to identify and mitigate the spread of this kind of manipulative content.
This is a worrying trend that demonstrates the potential for bad actors to misuse emerging technologies like AI for political gain. The exploitation of niche online communities is particularly troubling, as it can lead to real-world impacts like the restrictions in Guatemala. We need a coordinated response to address this issue.
Absolutely, the ability to create synthetic media that appears genuine is a serious threat to the integrity of online discourse. Policymakers, tech companies, and civil society must work together to develop effective solutions to identify and limit the spread of this kind of manipulative content.
Interesting how AI-generated content can be weaponized to spread disinformation. It’s concerning to see far-right groups exploiting niche online subcultures for political gain. We need to be vigilant about the rise of synthetic media and its potential for abuse.
Absolutely, the ability to create convincing yet false content is a real challenge we need to grapple with. Fact-checking and media literacy will be crucial to combat these kinds of coordinated misinformation campaigns.
This is a complex issue with real-world impacts, as seen in the case of the authorities in Guatemala restricting ‘therian’ gatherings. The use of AI to generate misleading content is particularly worrying and highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability around synthetic media.
You’re right, the blending of online subcultures and political agendas is a troubling trend. Policymakers and platforms need to work together to develop effective strategies to identify and limit the spread of this kind of manipulative content.
The use of AI-generated content to fuel disinformation and attack vulnerable communities is deeply concerning. The fact that this has had real-world impacts, such as the restrictions in Guatemala, demonstrates the urgency of addressing this issue. We need a coordinated, comprehensive response to combat the rise of synthetic media and its exploitation for political gain.
Absolutely, this is a complex challenge that requires collaboration across multiple stakeholders. Policymakers, tech companies, and civil society organizations must work together to develop robust solutions to identify, limit, and counter the spread of manipulative, AI-generated content. The integrity of our online discourse is at stake.
It’s disturbing to see how far-right groups are exploiting niche online communities to push their agenda. The use of AI-generated content to fuel anti-LGBTQ rhetoric is particularly concerning. We need robust fact-checking and media literacy efforts to counter this kind of synthetic misinformation.
Agreed, the blurring of lines between reality and fabrication is a major challenge. Platforms and authorities must stay vigilant and work proactively to detect and mitigate the spread of this kind of manipulative content before it can cause real harm.