Queer teens flood TikTok with hilariously dark Mike Pence ‘conversion camp’ memes

TikTok

LGBT+ teens are responding to the hellscape that is modern America in the only way they know how – by roasting senior politicians with TikTok memes.

Donald Trump’s impeachment brought us closer to the horrifying possibility that Mike Pence, a man who once argued that LGBT+ discrimination should be legal because homosexuality is “a choice”, could become president.

What might a country run by president Mike Pence look like, we hear you scream? The answer, according to teen TikTokkers, is one where LGBT+ people are cheerly shipped off  to ‘conversion camps’ for the summer.

Countless nihilists ran with the idea and the hashtag #mikepencesummercamp has now amassed more than 237,000 views.

@zaiversonRUNNNNN?? #fyp #foryoupage #gay #gayboy #gaypride #lgbt #mikepencecamp #gayague #gayarambut #gayng♬ Don Toliver No Idea Funk Remix – llusionmusic

@dianaturner12Comment who you’d wanna see at summer camp ?? #pencesummercamp #summercamp #mikepence #gay #lgbt #fyp #foryou #foryoupage♬ Did Too Much – LLusion

@alexandraayscoughLol this would probably happen tho #mikepencecamp #summercamp #fyp #avocado ??️‍?♬ TONGUED TIED 223s by Adam Oh – adamohmusic

@annafaeriePOV: Your camp counselor greets you at Mike Pence’s summer camp! #fy #foryoupage #pov #mikepencecamp #mikepence #gaysummercamp #girldefined♬ original sound – annafaerie

@taste.of.hotdog.waterPOV you’re a counselor in Mike Pence’s summer camp #mikepence #mikepencecamp #jesus #summercamp #CATSmoves #scienceismagic #drivethebus♬ original sound – taste.of.hotdog.water

@oncie_does_cosplaywho hype for #summercamp2020 #pencesummercamp #LGBT #gay #trans #mikepencecamp #summercamp♬ I’m Just a Kid – Simple Plan

@juniperelisefor legal reasons that’s 100% a joke. #mikepence #mikepencecamp #gay #lgbt #givemeasign #strangepets #fyp #foru♬ original sound – juniperelise

@r0geli0i really just forgot the dance ?? #fyp #mikepencecamp #mikepence #xyzbca #hmmerchformation #thatswhatilike #foryoupage♬ original sound – r0geli0

The discredited practise of so-called conversion therapy and conversion camps have been proven by medical experts to be ineffective and incredibly harmful. Although Pence has never openly stated his support for conversion therapy, he’s come incredibly close to it – so it’s not a huge leap to imagine him endorsing a line of eponymous summer camps.

Others on TikTok pictured a not-so-distant future where LGBT+ people are forced to disclose their sexuality on school tests.

@b.caèlynI hope no ones done this yet? #mikepence #justajoke #impeached #takeajoke #mikepencecamp #LGBTQ♬ Should’ve Said No – Taylor Swift

@kemper.laurenI hope this hasn’t been done yet ? #tiktoktraditions #fyp #foryou #2020 #mikepencecamp #summercamp #holidayovertime #roundofapplause #howiwalk♬ Should’ve Said No – Taylor Swift

With Gen Z people making up 60 per cent of the 500 million monthly users on TikTok, the app is increasingly being used by the younger generation to highlight social injustices and spread both memes and political messages. And if you can do it to a Taylor Swift tune, even better.

The kids are alright!