Republicans Unleash “Don’t Say Gay” Bills Nationally

In Ohio, it’s House Bill 616, and the extremist proposal to erase gay relationships and trans identities is tucked quietly into their anti-Critical Race Theory agenda.

The worst thing we can do is presume that these efforts to vilify diversity and progress will fail. Already in Florida, Texas and Alabama, similar bills have been signed into law by Conservative Governors. Over 16 other states ruled by Republicans are working through their own variations of these laws, which weaponize the legislative system against minority communities. Kansas, for example, has tried to make being transgender a criminal offense.

These hostile actions are a direct retaliation by Republicans against minorities for Donald Trump suffering a loss in the 2020 election to Joe Biden. A scorched Earth technique to incite a culture war so volatile and regressive that the assaults on multiple fronts prevents would-be victims from meaningfully organizing to fight back. US Conservatives have unabashedly revealed themselves to be full throated bigots, proudly setting a path to destroy women’s rights, voter rights for communities of color, gay rights, transgender rights and non-christian religions. Many of the most influential Republican leaders have stated they want society to return to Biblical law- forced morality, prayer in schools, the demonizing of non-cisgender people and those who are not straight. They want science abolished entirely to make way for zealotry. The Republicans are no longer a party who desires small…