New Hampshire state representative, David Love, has settled a defamation lawsuit by agreeing to pay drag performers Monique Toosoon and Clara Divine $100,000 each. Love publicly retracted and apologized for spreading false information about the performers, including accusing one of being a convicted sex offender and the other of inappropriate behavior with children. Love made these remarks in 2021 while sponsoring a bill that would require libraries to conduct background checks on staff and volunteers, expressing concerns about library events featuring drag queens.
In his apology statement, Love admitted to receiving inaccurate information that he failed to verify before making the accusations. He acknowledged his mistake and expressed regret for his actions. The settlement also required Love to issue a public apology to the drag performers. Monique Toosoon and Clara Divine filed the lawsuit against Love after his false accusations caused damage to their reputations.
The performers, Robert Champion and Michael McMahon, expressed their satisfaction with the outcome, highlighting the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions. McMahon shared his gratitude for the support he received during the legal process. This settlement serves as a reminder of the impact of spreading misinformation and the need for responsible communication. Love’s case underscores the significance of fact-checking and verifying information before making public statements that can harm others.
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