With Pride month upon us, Ali Velshi notes that demonstrations of anti-LGBTQ hate seem only to be increasing. Attacks on rainbow clothing displays in Target. Attacks on … cans of Bud light. What’s more, in the past year, Republicans have put forth more than 500 anti-LBTQ bills in state legislatures alone — mostly aimed at trans youth.
“Far right hysteria over rainbows and equality is in full swing,” says Velshi. What they’re missing: Anti-LGBTQ politics and policies are destined to fail. According to GLAAD’s annual Accelerating Acceptance survey, the overwhelming majority of Americans support LGBTQ rights when it comes to school safety and acceptance (96 percent), equality (84 percent) and even company (commercial or corporate) sponsorship of the community (70 percent).
(Lagging behind: Non-LGBTQ support of trans people. The may be because half of survey takers reported feeling “unfamiliar” with the non-binary community, and only 28 percent reporting that they knew someone who identifies as non-binary or trans.)
Velshi believes the far-right politicians who are focusing on restricting restroom access, drag shows and life-saving healthcare for trans youth are fighting a losing battle. “It’s all just noise — static at best,” he says, “because the anti-LGBTQ hate radiating from some corners of the conservative sphere does not reflect the feelings of the American public.”
LISTEN: ALI VELSHI ON THE FAILURES OF ANTI-LGBTQ+ POLITICS
WATCH: ALI EXPLAIN WHY ANTI-LGBTQ+ POLITICS FAIL
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