Most common hallmarks of hate used against 2SLGBTQ+ Communities
- The target group is presented as specifically seeking to harm vulnerable members of society
Queer and trans people are positioned as seeking to harm children, either by sexually abusing them or by turning them trans or gay. The trope of the predatory gay has existed for decades, and as trans people have become more visible, the focus has grown to include and sometimes shifted entirely towards trans people. Trans women bear the brunt of this hateful trope.
2. The target group is depicted as inherently dangerous.
Because queer and trans people are positioned as seeking to harm children, they are framed as inherently dangerous and evil. This happens by taking the general beliefs many people have about people who actually sexually abuse children and transplanting them onto queer and trans people.
3. “Getting rid” of the target group is presented as the solution
Because queer and trans people are positioned as dangerous, evil, and a threat to children, the hateful narrative says that they must be removed from society entirely.
4. Violence against the target group is encouraged
Violence is promoted as a necessary tool to address issues presented by the existence of the target group.