What will happen to everyone who isn't white, straight, and male, if we don't speak out?
Today’s Hartmann Report
(snip)
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.
More at link
https://open.substack.com/pub/thomhartmann/p/what-will-happen-to-everyone-who?r=oqzn1&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
= new reply since forum marked as read
If we don't do anything to stop them. And Fox News will be cheerleading their every move. This unbelievable rise in hate in this country is getting so far out of control that it's totally insane. And the right wing if they get back into power will commit some unspeakable atrocities. What's happening in states like Florida, Texas, and Ohio is no accident. They're test markets to see how far a true neo fascist cabal can go within the limits of the US Constitution.
People have said that I'm crazy for thinking that it can happen here, but all the signs are there. The way they are banning books and demonizing their opponents. The way they are banning gender affirming care and the way Ron Desantis is taking over Disney. These people are fucking monsters. The right wing has gone off the fucking deep end and they just get crazier and scarier by the day. 
Can't believe they get so much support
People loved being lied to
