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LGBTQ community taking over Proud Boys hashtag with messages of love

LGBTQ community taking over Proud Boys hashtag with messages of love
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Members of the LGBTQ community have taken over the Proud Boys hashtag on social media to send a message to the far-right group.

The Proud Boys gained widespread media attention following last week’s presidential debate, during which President Donald Trump refused to condemn white supremacists. Though, he did denounce them two days later, amid mounting outrage.

“I’ve said it many times, let me be clear again, I condemn the KKK. I condemn all white supremacists. I condemn the Proud Boys," Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity. "I don’t know much about the Proud Boys, almost nothing, but I condemn that.”

It’s unclear who came up with the idea to reclaim “#ProudBoys,” but it seems the effort picked up steam when actor George Takei tweeted about it on Thursday.

“I wonder if the BTS and TikTok kids can help LGBTs with this,” tweeted Takei. “What if gay guys took pictures of themselves making out with each other or doing very gay things, then tagged themselves with #ProudBoys. I bet it would mess them up real bad.”

Takei later tweeted out a photo with his husband.

Since then, many gay men and others have been posting photos of themselves and their loved ones with “#ProudBoys.” The purpose – to drown out hate with messages of love and support.

Several out celebrities have taken part, including “Queer Eye” star Bobby Berk, Bravo host Andy Cohen, and actor Matt Bomer.

Even the Twitter account for the Canadian Forces in the U.S. participated, posting an image with a soldier kissing his partner.

Here are a few more examples: