Child Education Viral Star ‘Ms. Rachel’ Sparks Conservative Backlash With Pride Video

Ms. Rachel Rachel Accurso Pride
Recent social media posts by Rachel Accurso, who goes by "Ms. Rachel," including a Pride Month post, left, and her response to negative reactions, right. (Video screen grabs)

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(RNS) — Rachel Accurso, a preschool teacher who rose to popularity for her online child educational videos, has become a target of conservative backlash. A 25-second video Accurso posted on TikTok on the first day of Pride Month has sparked online debate over her content and her interpretation of Christian Scripture.

In the original clip, Accurso — known as “Ms. Rachel” to her online audience — energetically announced, “Happy pride to all of our wonderful families and friends! This month and every month, I celebrate you.

“I’m so glad you’re here. I’m so glad you’re exactly who you are,” she added.

RELATED: Jars of Clay Lead Singer Dan Haseltine Posts Support for LGBTQ+ Pride Month

The social media creator’s videos, “Songs for Littles,” have gained massive popularity in the past year among parents. Boasting 10 million YouTube subscribers, her children’s content covers a wide range of topics, from discussing emotions to teaching nursery rhymes to helping children learn to talk.

Daily Wire host Matt Walsh’s post on X drew attention to Accurso’s video. He encouraged conservative parents to take their business elsewhere. “This is a message to conservative parents. She doesn’t want your business. You should respond accordingly.” In a Daily Wire segment, Walsh went on to accuse Accurso of “explicitly pushing LGBT indoctrination on her audience.”

Comments to his post were divided between criticism and support for Accurso.

Many echoed Walsh’s calls to boycott Accurso’s content. “I’ve been letting my grandson watch her Youtube content, which seemed harmless. Until now. Banned,” wrote former U.S. Senate Secretary Kelly D. Johnston. Another X user replied: “I’m all for boycotting any and all businesses that have the intention to indoctrinate children! Put them all out of business!”

Others rose to Accurso’s defense, with one fan commenting, “This two mom family loves you back! Thank you for loving on our family and our kiddo from afar!” Some expressed confusion over the outrage directed at the video: “ … I think this is probably the best message one could have while supporting the pride stuff. I would prefer this over almost everything else. Why are people mad about it exactly?”

RELATED: DC Talk’s Kevin Max Tweets Support for Pride Month, Daughter Who Is Gay

In May, Accurso received similar fallout after launching a Save the Children fundraiser to channel aid to children in conflict zones in the Gaza Strip, Sudan, Ukraine and Congo. In a follow-up video, she emotionally rejected accusations that she only cared for Palestinian children: “I love my neighbor. I love every child.”

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Chloe-ArizonaFodor@churchleaders.com'
Chloë-Arizona Fodor
Chloë-Arizona Fodor is an author at Religion News Service.

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