In April 2022, an insignificant Michigan state senator named Mallory McMorrow went viral for a floor speech response to a Republican fundraising email that McMorrow said referred to her as a “groomer” who “sexualized children” in the name of “parental rights.”
The Detroit Free Press called the Republican’s claims “completely unfounded.” But were they?
Since McMorrow’s viral moment, we have seen an increase in grooming behaviors and sex crimes in Michigan Schools. Robert Herzing was arrested for soliciting a minor, and a Michigan Enjoyer investigation revealed red flags were ignored by school personnel.
A separate lawsuit is underway by families at Fraser Schools for ignoring other cases of sexual abuse. The lawsuit alleges proper background checks and training have not been conducted. Earlier this month, a Bay City teacher was arrested for criminal sexual conduct with multiple students.
In fact, I have tracked nearly 50 arrests of teachers for sex crimes in the state of Michigan since 2022. Here are some other examples of “sexualizing children” that could lead to “grooming” in Michigan schools which involve Sen. McMorrow:
- During Tudor Dixon’s 2022 gubernatorial bid, McMorrow indicated her support of drag queens in Michigan public schools, tweeting back in opposition at Dixon’s proposal to criminalize involving children in drag shows. By March 2023, she appeared at a Drag Queen Story Hour event, posing with children with signs that say “drag queens help us be ourselves.” Does McMorrow, like Attorney General Dana Nessel, support drag queens in schools?
- In June of 2023, McMorrow co-sponsored legislation to ban conversion therapy for minors. Although McMorrow referred to the practice as “junk science,” there is no clear definition of what conversion therapy is and is not. The legislation is designed to encourage affirming a child’s gender and sexuality, with or without parental consent. Coupled with Michigan’s updated privacy laws that do not allow parental access to medical records beyond the age of 12, this legislation could lead to grooming behavior by mental health professionals. The legislation has since been challenged by conservative groups as an issue of free speech and religion and is currently blocked by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.
- McMorrow has also supported funding for numerous health clinics in schools that allow confidential counseling beyond the age of 12. Although parents have to consent to care, the records are kept secret. Is it possible these counselors could be engaging in grooming behavior?
- As recently as August 2024, McMorrow has advocated for boys to play in girls’ sports, telling critics to “stop being weirdly obsessed” with the “narrow definition” of a woman. Soon after she announced her run for U.S. Senate and backtracked some of her “inclusive” language admitting that “made up terms” like “chestfeeding” and “birthing person” can alienate voters. Is she still as concerned about protecting the most vulnerable trans kids as she was in 2022? Or is she more concerned about saying the right things that help her achieve her next political goal?
McMorrow’s “Hate Won’t Win” speech went viral, and she fundraised $2.35 million and went on to launch her national political career, earning her a keynote speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
In November 2025, the Michigan Board of Education made sweeping changes to Michigan’s sex education curriculum to include controversial instruction about gender ideology and LGBTQ+ issues despite massive pushback from Michigan parents.
At least one candidate for governor is proposing solutions to the erosion of parental rights in Michigan schools. Congressman John James has proposed a “parental bill of rights” that will require neither doctors nor teachers to keep information from parents about their children—including information about their gender identity or access to sexual health services.
The Republican fundraising email in 2022 was ahead of its time. Mallory McMorrow’s votes to keep parents out of counseling services, her support of drag queens in schools, and advocacy for boys in girl’s sports are dangerous, strip parental rights, and sexualize children.
Just ask the victims of the groomers arrested in Michigan schools over the last several years. It wasn’t “hate” that won; it was, in many cases, evil and blatant sexual abuse.
Anna Hoffman is an Ann Arbor mom of three. You can follow her on X and Instagram @shoesonplease.
