by Joe Siegel

A number of LGBTQ publications have recently been targeted by right-wing scammers, which has prompted some editors and publishers to become hyper-vigilant about maintaining security on online accounts.

“LGBTQ+ media outlets and organizations are being urged to stay vigilant following a sophisticated scam that recently compromised Gay Parent Magazine’s Facebook page and attempted to infiltrate the Washington Blade,” read a July 7 story posted on QSaltLake’s web site, based in Utah.

“The scam, which appears politically motivated, involves right-wing actors posing as progressive podcast hosts to gain admin access to Facebook pages, then locking out owners and deleting their accounts,” the story continued. “Gay Parent Magazine, a long-standing publication serving LGBTQ families, announced that its Facebook page with more than 30,000 followers and a five-star review rating was hacked and ultimately shut down in late June.”

Angeline Acain, publisher and editor of Gay Parent Magazine, told QSaltLake that she believes the attack was “targeted and deliberate.”

“We have strong reason to believe our Facebook page hacking was politically motivated. We were targeted by people who don’t support LGBTQ parents,” Acain told QSaltLake. “They posed as podcast hosts, invited me for an interview, then used that as a pretense to take over our Facebook page.”

Additionally, Kevin Naff, editor of the Washington Blade, warned his fellow editors about an incident that happened to him in June. “I received an email from someone purporting to be Jennifer Welch of the ‘I’ve Had It’ podcast. It’s a legit, progressive podcast with a lot of LGBTQ content. I agreed to the interview and then was invited to a Zoom call for prep on topics and tech requirements. I join the Zoom on camera; Jennifer joins off camera and a man’s voice announces he handles the technical requirements because she does her podcast interviews via Facebook Live. He then asks me to log into the Blade’s admin page and share my screen. I become suspicious and decline and ended the call.”

“This is obviously a coordinated attack on queer media — a scam designed to erase our social media presence, which is in keeping with MAGA’s goal of erasing LGBTQ people from public life,” Naff told Press Pass Q on July 15. “We must all take extra precautions to protect our digital content.”

Naff noted steps he has taken to guard his online privacy. “I change passwords regularly and closely monitor my credit score, bank balances, and credit card charges, as everyone should do.”

Mark Segal, founder and publisher of Philadelphia Gay News, said his newspaper has “active I.T. people who actively safeguard [against hacks] and if attacked, repel it. We would never allow someone access to our administration page.”

“We highly recommend that newsrooms secure media liability insurance under a plan that offers protection for cyber attacks,” added Ken Schneck, editor of the Buckeye Flame, based in suburban Cleveland, Ohio. “Especially for online newsrooms just as ours, this is critical back-up that is well worth the monthly cost.”

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Volume 27
Issue 6