If You Notice History Rhyming, That's a Sign to Change Your Tune

BY TERI LIGHTNING

I went out West a few months ago attempting to start a new life in a state that's more supportive of Trans people. I was under the impression that states like New Mexico and Washington would be easier to manage anti-trans policies and statements coming from the White House. I came back to Indiana as my housing situation became uncertain, but I'm thankful for the positive connections I have here.

While out West, I watched Milk. It's a film reenacting moments from the life of Harvey Milk, the first openly-LGBTQ person elected into office in the US.

There was a moment in the film where Milk was debating in opposition to Proposition 6, a ballot initiative that would have banned gay men, lesbian women, and allies to the LGBT+ community from working in California public schools. California State Senator John Briggs, who sponsored the ballot initiative said the following during the debate:

"If they (gay people) didn't recruit our children, they'd all just die away. And that's why they're all so interested in becoming teachers because they want to encourage our children to join them."

My friend's child immediately noticed Briggs' argument. "That's literally what they are saying about Trans people today." Exactly.

History has a tendency to have similar moments and/or people with little variations.

If we want people to look at, point your focus on JK Rowling and Anita Bryant.

Bryant was a singer in the 60's and 70's who became famous for her voice being featured in orange juice commercials. By the time 1977 came around, her name also became synonymous with the anti-gay movement of the '70s. Her presence helped repeal anti-discriminations on the basis of sexual orientation, and some instances enacted discriminatory laws, with campaigns entitled "Save Our Children." (Note: this campaign could be seen with the “protect the children” language conservatives use today.)  Because of her anti-gay crusade, her public image was tainted and karma came back around on her, like infamous comedians mocking her anti-gay crusade and companies terminating their contracts and sponsorships with her.

Many of us can see the similarities Bryant has with Rowling, known for the Harry Potter series. The only difference being that Rowling instead targets the livelihood and humanity of Trans people, which has caused people to distance themselves from her and any of her works.

If we want to think about singular events, my mind goes to the recent burning of 100 library books, as some of those books included LGBT+ characters and topics. When I scrolled past this news, I instantly thought of the actions that unfolded between May 6th and 10th of 1933 in Berlin, Germany.

During those dates, Nazis broke into The Institute of Sexology - a facility that was known for its advancement of research relating queerness and medical knowledge on gender affirming treatments - removed all of their works, and burned it all for promoting content the government saw undesirable. Following this, the LGBT+ community would continue to be a target, with Trans Germans losing legal recognition of their gender, and the community at large being sent to concentration camps.

I bring up this information from the past not to raise anxiety levels or cause panic, but to make people aware. I want people to be aware that the actions, the language, and all of the tactics used to oppress LGBT+ people in the past are being utilized, albeit modernized, to oppress us now.

So when you notice hate-filled moments start to mount, whether it's in the form of legislation, censorship, or talking points by misinformed and outdated celebrities, I plead that people are persistent in making sure the worst hits of history don't get another chance. 

Also to anyone curious: the Nazis were losers, Harvey Milk was successful in defeating Proposition 6, and Anita Bryant is survived by her granddaughter Sarah Green, an openly bisexual woman who recently married a woman.