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
- https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/ps-political-science-and-politics/article/lgbtq-victimization-by-extremist-organizations-charting-a-new-path-for-research/5C54F149E27B54F845200B2F64DF7993 – This article discusses the victimization of LGBTQ+ communities by extremist groups, including Islamic extremists and the far-right, highlighting their shared anti-LGBTQ+ narratives despite differing ideologies.
- https://www.adl.org/resources/report/year-review-anti-lgbtq-hate-extremism-incidents-2022-2023 – The ADL report documents incidents of anti-LGBTQ+ hate and extremism, showing how these incidents are often perpetrated by extremist groups and are widespread across the U.S.
- https://everytownresearch.org/report/remembering-and-honoring-pulse/ – This report highlights the impact of anti-LGBTQ+ bias and violence, particularly in the context of mass shootings like the Pulse nightclub attack, which underscores the vulnerability of LGBTQ+ communities to extremist violence.
- https://www.splcenter.org/news/2020/03/18/year-hate-and-extremism-2019 – The Southern Poverty Law Center’s report notes an increase in anti-LGBTQ+ hate groups, which aligns with the study’s findings on the growing threat from extremist groups targeting LGBTQ+ communities.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references a recent study published in PS: Political Science & Politics, suggesting the content is relatively fresh. However, without a specific date for the study or publication, it’s difficult to confirm its exact freshness.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
Direct quotes from Jared R. Dmello are included, but without further online verification, it’s unclear if these are original or previously published. The quotes seem specific to the study, which might indicate they are original.
Source reliability
Score:
4
Notes:
The narrative originates from Outrage Magazine, which is not a widely recognized or mainstream publication. This reduces the reliability score due to a lack of established credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about extremist groups targeting LGBTQ+ communities are plausible and align with known trends of such groups. The specific example of Russian propaganda about a ‘gay virus’ is unusual but plausible given the context of misinformation spread by governments.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
While the narrative discusses a plausible and concerning trend, its freshness and source reliability are somewhat uncertain. The quotes appear original but lack verification. Overall, the narrative is plausible but requires further verification from more reliable sources.
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