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A watchdog organization warns there’s a rise in homophobia. Lauren Paterson reports.
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Anti-extremism groups have been monitoring the white nationalist movement in Northwest communities since the 1970s. Today, some of those groups are now concerned about a rise in homophobia and transphobia.
Kate Bitz is a program manager with the Western States Center, an organization that monitors extremist groups. She says the center is seeing a rise in attacks against members of the LGBT+ community.
“I mean, homophobia and transphobia are really important components of the white nationalist worldview, just because that worldview is deeply committed to a gender binary and also to gender hierarchies," says Bitz.
Last month, 31 members of a white nationalist group called Patriot Front were arrested for allegedly planning to riot at a Coeur d’Alene pride event. Bitz says the Western States Center wants to contribute to the Northwest’s track record of effectively countering white nationalism and anti-democracy movements.
The organization has toolkits available for educators, parents, and communities combating extremism available on their website.