Nearly 200 U.S. Conservative Religious Leaders Accused of Abuse

Religious Figures Opposed to LGBTQ+ Rights Accused of Widespread Child Abuse Across U.S.

Exposing the Hypocrisy in Anti-LGBTQ+ Religious Communities

Since the beginning of 2025, at least 188 Christian and conservative religious leaders—many of whom have publicly voiced strong opposition to LGBTQ+ rights—have been accused of sexually abusing minors across the United States. This alarming figure comes from journalist Evan Hurst, who has been tracking these cases through his Wonkette Substack, uncovering stark inconsistencies between public moral preaching and private misconduct within religious institutions.

A Systematic Effort to Track Abuse Cases

Hurst has spent years documenting arrests, charges, and convictions tied to individuals in faith-based roles—pastors, priests, religious educators, and youth leaders. His work includes verified incidents pulled from legal documents and credible media outlets. Between August and October 2025 alone, Hurst added 50 new cases to his list, bringing the year’s total to 188.

“These kinds of stories come in week after week,” said Hurst, pointing out the lack of similar reports involving drag performers or transgender individuals—despite conservative groups frequently targeting these communities through moral panic.

A Grassroots Accountability Project with Verified Sources

Though not officially affiliated with any institution, Hurst’s research is based on a thorough review of court cases and journalism. His findings appear in a time of heightened political tension, as many conservative legislators continue to frame LGBTQ+ people as dangers to children, often using inflammatory and baseless terms like “groomer.” Such rhetoric contributes to discriminatory laws and practices, especially in Republican-led states where LGBTQ+ rights are facing increasing threats.

Challenging the Conservative Moral Narrative

The data Hurst presents significantly calls into question the narrative pushed by conservative religious movements. A majority of the individuals accused—notably—belong to institutions that promote anti-LGBTQ+ agendas under the guise of protecting children. A recent example includes Joshua David Kemper, a California pastor known for his outspoken opposition to LGBTQ+ rights, who was arrested for allegedly assaulting a 15-year-old girl—just days after Hurst published his latest report.

The Politicization of “Child Protection”

Hurst emphasizes that his goal isn’t to vilify religious belief, but to highlight the hypocrisy of movements that claim a moral high ground—while simultaneously concealing or enabling abuse within their ranks. His reporting encourages a critical look at how child protection is politicized and selectively applied, often targeting those already marginalized.

---

Echoes of U.S. Rhetoric Abroad

Although Hurst’s reporting focuses on the U.S., similar patterns of anti-LGBTQ+ messaging are now surfacing in conservative French circles and social media platforms. This imported rhetoric fuels discrimination and baseless fear despite a total lack of data supporting claims that LGBTQ+ individuals pose any threat to children.

Where Abuse Actually Happens

While Hurst does not claim his work is a formal academic study, his data aligns with decades of reports indicating that child abuse occurs primarily in institutional contexts—such as churches, schools, and athletic organizations. In contrast, LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly transgender and nonbinary people, are routinely scapegoated despite posing no evidence-based risk.

A Critical Message in the Face of Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation

As more than 20 U.S. states have proposed or enacted laws targeting LGBTQ+ people in 2025 alone, Hurst’s work stands as a crucial reminder: child safety should never be misused as an excuse for discrimination. The data consistently shows that the real threats often come from those in authority within institutions claiming to uphold family values—not from the communities they frequently vilify.

Explore More LGBTQ+ News