Online Hate, Offline Violence: Addressing Issues Impacting the LGBTQ+ Community

Anderson: As of April 2023, hundreds of bills targeting healthcare, education, and free-expression rights of LGBTQ Americans have been introduced in state houses nationwide. These bills have sparked protests around the country and have prompted intense debate among lawmakers, activists, and citizens. Hello, and welcome to "Comcast Newsmakers." I'm Tetiana Anderson. Beyond legislation, the LGBTQ population continues to contend with online hate and offline violence. Joining me to discuss all of this is Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign. And, Kelley, thank you so much for being here.

Robinson: Hey, thank you for having me.

Anderson: So what a time to be taking the reins of this organization when there's just so much legislation happening across the country really aimed at resetting certain rights. I mean, set the scene for us about what is going on nationally, in terms of LGBTQ rights.

Robinson: You know, it's a crisis right now. There's a crisis facing the LGBTQ+ community, particularly the trans community. Over 500 anti-bills targeting my community have been introduced in 36 states around the country. This is something that we've never seen before. But the other thing that I think is important, you know, as much as this is a story of crisis, there's also a story of triumph here. You know, when I joined the Human Rights Campaign, my very first week was a week of the Club Q shooting. And at that time, it was so clear. I mean, it was viscerally apparent that these political attacks, plus violent online rhetoric, leads to real-life harm. But you know what also happened, three weeks later, the Respect for Marriage Act also became the law of the land. So we're at this turning point -- right? -- where there's crisis, but there's also a moment of reckoning happening where we're deciding as a country, "Are we going to move forward, or are we going to be dragged back?" So I'm so proud to be able to lead the Human Rights Campaign now, today, in this moment, because I truly believe that in the midst of all the pain that we're seeing, all the darkness that we're seeing targeting our community, there's actually a breakthrough that's waiting for us on the other side.

Anderson: So, you just lightly touched on this, but I want you to dive in a little deeper. Your organization says that online hate is leading to offline violence, and that's something that you've been tackling. Explain what's been happening and what you're doing on that front.

Robinson: Yeah, you know, the community is more visible than we've ever been, and I'm so proud of that. But we're also seeing acute attacks at our dignity and our humanity in ways that are more vicious and more cruel than we've ever seen, too. And the data backs it up. 1 in 5 of every hate crime is actually motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ bias. We're also seeing an astronomical increase of hate speech and bullying geared towards my community happening online. This is the world that we're living in. And, look, I'm the parent of a young child, and every day I think that my job is to make sure that he grows up in a world that will respect him in the wholeness of his identity, in the fullness of who he is. So whether your kids or people in your community are gay or not, we have to see this for what it is -- an assault on all of our families and all of our communities. And we also have to fight back. So we're doing a lot of work with the Department of Justice to hold perpetrators accountable. We're holding social-media companies accountable for upholding their own community guidelines about what should and should not be shared on their platforms. And we're also holding elected officials to account. You don't get to come on TV and ask for and put thoughts and prayers out into the universe or ask us to share thoughts and prayers for victims of violence when, at the same time, pushing legislation of hate. You don't get to do that, and we're holding politicians accountable.

Anderson: So, whether it's combating online hate against the LGBTQ community, pushing back against what you call gender-affirming care or other issues that have really caused deep polarization, what do you recommend to people on all sides of this issue to just dial back this rhetoric and try to better understand each other?

Robinson: We've got to share our stories of impact. You know, I've gotten the chance to travel the country and really understand the real-life impact of these laws that are moving into place. Even the laws that aren't passed have a devastating impact on our community members. You know, I've talked to pediatricians who are getting death threats and have to be escorted to their cars by armed guards. I've talked to families who are leaving their states, leaving their homes because they fear that their children are not safe. We've got to tell the stories of what is really happening out here because it's in sharing those stories that we actually find our power. And even more so than that, we've got to be willing to tell those stories to school boards, to state legislatures, and ultimately to vote to ensure that people that are in office represent us, our community, and our voices, and are willing to fight for our families.

Anderson: There are a lot of firsts here with your presidency at Human Rights Campaign. What does that mean to you, and how does HRC really evolve for the future under your leadership?

Robinson: I'm humbled to be the first Black queer woman to lead the Human Rights Campaign, and I also understand that intersectionality isn't a theory, it's how I live my life. And our opposition is coming at us with an intersectional attack. So it's on us to make sure that we're building alliances across racial-justice movements, across reproductive movements, centering trans rights and liberation. And when we do that, I know that we'll win.

Anderson: And, you know, people are going to want to know more about all of this, so what is your website? Where should they look?

Robinson: You can find us at hrc.org, and when you get there, you can find information about what's happening in your state, resources to take action, and get connected to a community of activists that I know are going to win.

Anderson: Kelley Robinson of the Human Rights Campaign, thank you so much for being here.

Robinson: Thank you for having me.

Anderson: And thanks to you, as well, for watching. As always, for more great conversations with leaders in your own community and across the nation, go to comcastnewsmakers.com. I'm Tetiana Anderson.