Libs of TikTok unleashes harassment campaign against North Carolina elementary school teacher

A nonbinary North Carolina school teacher has become the latest target of a harassment campaign by far-right extremist Libs of TikTok and other conservative influencers.

A post showing a picture of the teacher has been viewed more than 700,000 times on X and shared thousands of times, along with the email address of the principal at the school where the out educator works. “OMG. This is apparently a new ‘nonbinary’ teacher at Middle Creek Elementary School in NC. Students reportedly have to call him Ms,” reads a Libs of TikTok post.

Related: North Carolina Republican lawmaker wants the state to police what transgender teachers can wear

Libs of TikTok has spread anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and driven national outrage against individuals simply living their lives for years. The specialty comes despite founder Chaya Raichik objecting strongly when the Washington Post publicly identified her as the founder behind the account in 2022.

The singling out of the North Carolina educator, which has already prompted one Republican lawmaker to suggest a state law requiring “gender-appropriate” clothing for school employees, has led to the Wake County School Board being flooded with inquiries about the hiring of a transgender teacher.

But the greatest concern appears to be coming from outside the school district. The News & Observer, a Raleigh newspaper, reported that a recent Wake County School Board meeting drew more supporters of the teacher than critics.

“This teacher is perfectly qualified and a lovely person. There is no reason why their ability to do their job should be in question,” said Stephen Stacks, parent of a Middle Creek Elementary student and a local pastor.

Some school board members pushed back on calls for the district to discriminate against school professionals based on their gender identity. “People online and in this room are willing to sacrifice this person’s love for their job for their culture war,” said Board member Jennifer Job.

Related: North Carolina's 'don't say gay' law and anti-trans sports statute challenged by activists

Indeed, some parents said the mere presence of a transgender educator on campus created a parental rights issue. “Elementary-aged children are now asking questions about sex, gender identity and pronouns and gender presentation,” said Aaron Driver, whose child attends the school, in comments shared by the Libs of TikTok account. “That creates an educational issue, and therefore a parental rights issue… I'm not prepared to accept any suggestion that the resulting disruption cannot reasonably have been anticipated when the hiring decision was made.”

North Carolina right-wing activists have also targeted the educator, often identifying the teacher by name. Cassie Clark, a conservative influencer in the Tar Heel State, encouraged people to attend a school function and question the administration about the hire.

“His music students will be forced to address him as ‘Ms.’ Even worse? Parents weren’t notified. Those who don’t know will find out tonight when they’re blindsided at the teacher Meet and Greet,” Clark wrote in a post with photos now viewed on X nearly 600,000 times. She has argued with critics online, saying “lying to children and forcing them to participate in an adult’s delusion is wrong.”