A recent study published in PS: Political Science & Politics has revealed a concerning trend regarding extremist groups targeting LGBTQ+ communities across a spectrum of ideologies. The research, titled LGBTQ+ Victimization by Extremist Organizations: Charting a New Path for Research, was conducted by Jared R. Dmello, Mia Bloom, and Sophia Moskalenko. It highlights that both Islamic extremist factions and far-right terror groups share a common anti-queer sentiment, despite their contrasting motivations and beliefs.
“In our findings, we observed that a variety of extremist groups, which on the surface have nothing in common, are actually engaging in similar attacks on the same marginalized communities,” Dmello explained. He noted that while some overlap in anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment was anticipated, the degree of similarity in tactics, messaging, and propaganda among the far right and Islamic extremists was unexpected. “It was quite surprising to me just how much they are engaging in similar tactics to justify their attacks against the LGBTQ+ community,” he added.
The analysis involved rigorous case study methods, allowing the researchers to scrutinise both extremist rhetoric and actions in detail. Among the more bizarre findings was the propagation of propaganda by the Russian government alleging that NATO-trained mosquitoes from Ukrainian laboratories were designed to spread a "gay virus" targeting ethnic Russians. This narrative has led to the sales of mosquito repellents specifically advertised to protect against this purported “gay virus” in Russian supermarkets.
The implications of the study extend beyond mere observation; it offers a revised framework for understanding terrorism research. Dmello suggested that current methodologies that typically focus exclusively on specific groups or geographic contexts are insufficient. “Gone are the days when risk assessments could pinpoint those most likely to engage in violence, as many existing tools focus on specific ideologies or locations,” he remarked. "Vulnerable populations are now at risk from a range of actors, meaning that response and prevention efforts need to be even more resilient to better safeguard our future.”
With LGBTQ+ populations facing increased risk — exacerbated by politically charged rhetoric — the researchers called for more extensive investigation into the narratives of extremist groups. “A lot more is needed to understand how other groups are being targeted across the ideological spectrum,” Dmello concluded.
Source: Noah Wire Services