They then cast the weakest and least popular minorities in a society as the victimizers of the fascists. Fascism is never directed against the rich or powerful, but always against those least able to defend themselves. It's bullying turned into a political movement.
When fascists throughout history have looked for victims, they almost always begin with queer people. That minority has the smallest circle of people (compared to racial and religious minorities) who personally know and accept them, who will stand up and defend them, and who will speak out against their persecution.
From there, fascists move on to demonizing and politically disenfranchising racial and religious minorities, suppressing the rights of women, celebrating masculinity and guns, the seizure of major political parties and the courts, and then the takeover of the nation itself.
The formula is documented as far back as ancient Rome: in 326 CE, Constantine the Great, who converted the nation to Christianity, put into place the death penalty for homosexual acts. Long before Mussolini invented the word in the 1920s, fascism was a well-known and well-established way of seizing power over a nation.
And now it's here and following the same well-trod path.
Yesterday, Kevin McCarthy tried to federally one-up Ron DeSantis on the previously state-based queer-hating fascist-meter by introducing a "parental rights" bill of his own.
In Texas and Florida today, state authorities are coming for the parents of trans kids. Red states that have been seized by fascist demagogues are purging libraries and schools of books, banning drag shows, and outlawing women's rights to abortion and contraception.
Sexuality, race, and religion are universally weaponized by fascists. But it usually begins with sexuality/gender.
The ACLU is tracking 371 anti-trans bills across the United States: every one was introduced by Republicans. Most all include draconian criminal penalties. Erin Reed has compiled a map of them on Substack. Many are promoted as being necessary to "protect the children."
That would be the same children who die by bullets every 2 hours and 26 minutes every day in America. Are injured every 10 to 15 minutes.
No laws to regulate the bullets or guns, though. Fascists love guns. Displaying weapons in public makes them feel more masculine, more powerful, less frightened. Wielding the ultimate power, the ability to control life or death with the tiny motion of a finger inside a trigger guard.
After Florida passed their "Don't Say Gay or Trans" law, Human Rights Watch reported a 400% surge in social media-based hate speech directed at queer people nationwide. What starts in Florida doesn't stay in Florida.
The FBI released a report in 2021 showing a shocking sevenfold increase in hate crimes against lesbians; crimes against gay men and trans people were up as well. Given how aggressively they're being demonized by Republicans for political gain, by the end of this year there will be reports of a new explosion of documented hate crimes against trans people.
Suicide among queer youth is exploding with 45% reporting last year they'd considered that final act. Republicans know this, but don't care; they're reveling in the current fascist climate. Every new law brings more wannabee fascist voters to their side.
And they're doing things that were unimaginable just a decade ago.
Republican or Republican-associated fascists have tried to murder the Governor of Michigan, the Vice President of the United States, and the Speaker of the House. They've sent bombs to dozens of high profile Democratic politicians. They've killed multiple police officers and civilians in several states, as well as at the Capitol on January 6th. They've infiltrated the FBI and police agencies across the country.
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