TikTok users are coming for influencers Shumirun Nessa and Jeffrey Marsh after the two have been at odds over the past week.
Jeffrey, a nonbinary LGBTQIA+ activist, is known for making sit-down-style videos advocating for queer experiences and issues. While many viewers find comfort in their content, Jeffrey has been subject to criticism in the past. Most recently, they have been accused of manipulating minors.
It all kicked off after Shumirun, better known online as @therealoverloadcomedy, stitched a TikTok that Jeffrey posted.
“Stop telling trans people that we are an inspiration,” Jeffrey begins. Shumirun then pops up and says, “Stop telling kids to go on your Patreon and chat to you privately without their parents knowing.”
Her response sparked debate across the platform, with many users coming to Jeffrey’s defence. These users claimed that Shumirun’s TikTok perpetuates harmful narratives about the LGBTQIA+ community, given that trans folk have a history of being falsely accused of grooming minors.
Chelsea Hart, of TikTok’s “Womblands” saga, even jumped in on the discourse, emphasising that Jeffrey’s content is catered toward adults.
“So recently, a bunch of conservatives made it a point to edit Jeffrey’s videos in such a way, so it leaves out the context that Jeffrey is a counsellor and a coach helping adults deal with childhood trauma,” they say in a now-deleted TikTok video.
And while many users, like Chelsea, hoped to offer insight into the danger surrounding Shumirun’s claims, much of the criticism levelled at the UK-based influencer was cloaked in Islamophobic rhetoric.
In response, Shumirun made a video expanding on her original claim.
“A lot of people made stitches of me saying I’m transphobic,” she begins. “These people have also said that they [Jeffrey] are not talking to the kids, so I did a little bit of digging.”
The TikTok creator then spliced together different clips from Jeffrey’s videos where they directly reference “kids”. Next, she focuses on a specific TikTok where Jeffrey explained why they created their Patreon.
“Your parents screwed up? It’s okay to say so, that’s why I made a Patreon,” Jeffrey says in the video. “We could connect in a way that has more privacy so that we could talk to each other in a way that is more open and stuff that we wouldn’t share in the comments of a video.”
Shumirun took issue with Jeffrey vilifying parents and speaking to minors about mature topics such as sex.
Tik Toker Shumirun Nessa, responded to accusations that she is transphobic after she blasted activist Jeffrey Marsh for alledgedly wanting to communicate with children privately. pic.twitter.com/Nlk1EAycx1
— Apex World News (@apexworldnews) March 7, 2023
The TikTok star went on to share a video from Jeffrey’s Patreon, where they discuss cutting contact with a parent.
“Manipulation comes to my brain… Jeffrey Marsh is teaching your kids no matter how your parents react, you should still go no contact”, Shumirun reflects. “And then after the no contact, who will you go to?… These kids will go to Jeffrey Marsh.”
Despite this, many TikTok users have noted that “chosen families” are a significant part of the LGBTQIA community – something that Shumirun doesn’t mention in her video. These communities offer support when a person’s biological family does not support their queerness.
After being doxxed and photos started circulating of her without a hijab, Shumirun deleted the TikToks criticising Jeffrey. She also urged her supporters to stop sending threats to content creators who are slamming her.
“Everybody stop threatening each other, please… it doesn’t matter what community you are from,” she says. “I don’t want to talk about this topic anymore, and if you want to talk about it, please don’t. I feel as though it is just going to spread so much more hate regarding different communities.”
Check back for updates.