Currently, we live in a dangerous time.  Where division seems to be far too common. Where political parties strive to highlight differences to drive us a part. Where those that should find strength in our similarities instead turn away in fear. It is this reality that has not only infected Western society but also the LGBTQIA community as it seems that both are far too ready at times to turn on themselves out of fear and perceived self-interest. However, as history has shown, it is through exploiting differences, spreading fear, and casting blame that humanity opens the door to our own destruction.

Divisive rhetoric in the political arena

In the last few years, it seems like the go-to strategy for conservatives is to create divisions and spread hatered. It is a time-honoured strategy used throughout history but perhaps most notably by Hitler and the Nazi party. His entire strategy and success hinged on capitalising on a desperate population suffering from the Great Depression and start pointing fingers at people to blame. Almost from the start, he starts using exclusive language to single our specific groups like the political establishment, communists, those labelled degenerates, and, of course Jews. They were responsible for the state of Germany, the unemployment, and the economic crisis. He used people’s desperation and anger, turning it against these scapegoats to rally support. He then used this, raising tide of frustration to present himself as the solution blatantly, saying he would smash the system and drive out the other political parties to return Germany to their past glory. It is a strategy that should unfortunately be only too relevant at the moment as the world watches the US. Both in the emphasis on exclusion and division that allows effective scapegoating  before ultimately promising to destroy the system. It is a horrifying similarity.

Unfortunately, it is a strategy that it successfully because it appeals to the most basic instincts of human nature. The idea of the other. It is a well understood psychological principle that people like to project negative qualities on to others that we see as different. It allows us to condemn their behaviours or character traits without ugly self reflection. Leaders, therefore, using language to separate groups into us and them, regularly using labels like immigrants and creating groups, makes this so much easier as it creates a target for othering especially during economic hardship as it provides people with someone to blame and target rather than feeling powerless. It is why, at the core, some people want to believe this nonsense rather than face reality.

Fracturing of society

Although the aim of this sort of political campaign is to try and encourage enough fear and anger to motivate voting a certain way, it has a far more dangerous impact. All this negative focus on minorities means that people act on these suspicions and tend to attack these groups. Perhaps the clearest example of this course and effect relationship is the impact of Trump’s Springfield Ohio comments about Haitian immigrants in the debate. Regardless of the absurd nature of his claims, it provoked attacks that led to the community keeping their kids home from school. This is but one example of a direct connection between political comments and violence. However, it doesn’t always lead to such a clear correlation and often creates ongoing hostility online and throughout society.

Attacks on the LGBTQIA community

The widespread divisive rhetoric from Republicans, Tories, and other right-wing groups has increased the amount of LGBTQIA hate.  This has especially targeted the trans community and has been a campaign of hate aided by prominent individuals. They have labelled us pedophiles, mentally ill, and sick amongst a host of other things. In addition, they claim that our existence is part of some form of secret agenda, and we are a threat to society attempting to ‘trans’ kids. This regular messaging is directly responsible for the 112% increase in anti-LGBTQIA attacks across the United States in the last 2 years. In the UK, studies showed that reports of Transphobia has risen by 1426% since 2012. Even in Australia, where we have had increasing progressive legislation, hate is on the rise, with half of the trans population having been a target of abuse.

It seems self explanation but the politicians that are driving this attack and the media that stoke the fire are to blame for this  dangerous environment we now find ourselves in. Perhaps the only silver lining is that these campaigns have proven to be ineffective in all three countries so far. However, this is little comfort for those who become victims of the resulting violence and are abandoned by society that often seems unwilling to fight for minorities unless it is convenient.

Dividing the alphabet

The sad result of this is that the relentless attacks, especially on the trans community, have caused division not only within society but also in the LGBTQIA community. It is, unfortunately, too common for parts of the community to throw trans people aside like we are now an inconvenience. This was highlighted by pink news CEO Benjamin Cohen’s desire to move away from trans issues that he felt are  ‘contentious’ and leave it to others to ‘change the narrative’. However, it can also be seen in the formation of a hate group like the LGB Alliance, and we have all seen it on social media. This is primarily due to a desire to avoid negative attention and prevent themselves from becoming a target. In some cases, they might actually believe some of the ridiculous lies and have seemingly forgotten that they were once described in the same way.  It is a division being actively reinforced as we see from JD. Vance’s comments recently about ‘normal gay guys’ suggesting those that are quite and disparaging of things like ‘2 spirit’ is the majority. It is a strategy meant to signal to the community that remain silent can be accepted, especially if they reject the rest of us.

Sadly, this mentality has even infected the trans community itself. There has always been for some a preoccupation with the need to pass, to be able to conform in some way to Cis heterosexual expectations of gender. This goes beyond individual safety for some, however, and they will try to reinforce these expectations on other trans people. This is driven by a belief that if we conform and don’t upset the gender apple cart that we will be less of a target and be more accepting. Some of these people will be actively telling people they shouldn’t transition because it will reflect badly on the community as they will never pass. It is a disgusting thought that people who embrace their own identity and understand the impact living a lie has will attempt to deny that to others. Being rejected by the community in this way also has such a stronger impact on others is well as it is a rejection by those that we would expect to support and accept us for who we are. The fact that this can be the result of fear and attacks on trans does make their behaviour understandable but not forgiveable.

Divide and conquer

The unfortunate truth for all those ready to abandon the trans community or other minority groups is that this does not insure their safety. We have seen this in Nazi Germany and other totalitarian states as they try to purge those they consider deviants, or even the way they remove people’s rights. Things happen in stages with society, concluding that the worst has happened until the next step is taken. The truth is that anyone who lives outside the acceptable boundaries of the world these divisive politicians want to create will become a target. In the US, especially, we have plenty of evidence of the republican values and beliefs about women, sexuality and ethnicity. Personally, I don’t see how the idea that all the ‘normal gays’ are going to be safe based on JD Vance publicised views about cat ladies and the fanatic warped interpretation of Christian they all seem to be pushing. Even the comments about Puerto Rico and the attack on legal Haitian migrants also suggest that the republican purge is going to be far broader than the trans community. The people righting these things off as exaggeration and excusable faux pas are naively playing a dangerous game. Especially since we have enough evidence in human history that narcissistic and extreme leaders are capable of following through on extreme policies.

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Those that turn a blind eye to this division need to remember that ‘Silence is Consent’ and that strength comes from adding our voices together. Unity is what is at stake at the moment as much as anything else.