The article below originally began as a script I had written for a video that I plan to put together. While the topics are interconnected and understanding both of them and how gaslighting the alt-right is an undeniable, existential threat to the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, particularly trans and queer individuals, I thought it too long and too complex for a single video and my plans to produce this were abandoned midway through production. I may re-visit some of this and do a multi-part series using elements of this at a later date.

OPENING DIALOGUE: “Today, and for the last few days, I have been out here, talking to residents all across Niagara about the rise of populism, the dangers of racist, misogynistic, homophobic, and transphobic rhetoric on social media and how some people in our community have been gaslighting their followers for personal economic gain. I want to thank all of those that spoke to me to help me gain a better understanding of where this is coming from and why it is happening.“

The Rise of Transphobia

Transphobia refers to the irrational fear, discrimination, or prejudice against transgender individuals. The rise of transphobia can be attributed to various factors, and it’s important to note that these issues are complex and interconnected. Some contributing factors include lack of understanding and education, social and cultural influences, media representation, political and religious influences, fear of the unknown, legal and policy issues, economic inequality, and ungoverned social media and online platforms. We’ve all witnessed that the anonymity provided by online platforms can amplify hate speech and discriminatory attitudes. Transphobic rhetoric can and does indeed spread quickly and gain traction, contributing to a hostile online environment.

Years ago, this type of bad behaviour was limited to murky corners of the dark web; however, with bad actors like Elon Musk, bigot-in-chief promoting disinformation campaigns and dissolving the terms of service and community guidelines on the financially-struggling Twitter, the hateful rhetoric that was limited to Russia-backed 8-chan and other seedy sites is now front and centre on American-based platforms.

Addressing the rise of transphobia requires a multi-faceted approach that includes education, awareness campaigns, policy changes, and fostering inclusive and accepting communities. Advocacy for transgender rights, representation in media, and open conversations about gender identity can help challenge stereotypes and promote understanding.

Populist Rhetoric and Gaslighting

What is populism?

Populism is a political approach that seeks to appeal to the concerns of ordinary people, often by presenting an “us versus them” narrative. Populist leaders claim to represent the common people against a corrupt, elite establishment. While the term “populism” does not align with any specific political ideology, populist movements can be found on both the left and right of the political spectrum. 

Critical features of populism include an anti-establishment sentiment, an us versus them mentality, simplification of issues, and an appeal to nationalism.

Additionally, a key element in populism is charismatic leadership. This is evident in countries all over the world. In Canada, we haven’t seen much of this domestically. Our political leaders are often some of the least charismatic people in the room, but this is an element in many other regions worldwide.

Populist leaders often possess charismatic qualities, connecting with their supporters on an emotional level. They may use populist rhetoric to build a solid personal connection with the people.

Finally, another essential element in populist rhetoric is a distrust of institutions. Populists frequently express distrust in established institutions such as the media, judiciary, and bureaucracy. They position themselves as the true representatives of the people and question the legitimacy of these institutions. This is something we have seen in Canada and even here in Niagara.

During the pandemic, this was front and centre; from the U.S.-back truck convoy that choked out the streets and interfered with businesses and the health and well-being of those in our Nation’s capital to the mediocre rise of cartoonish characters like Romana Didulo, the self-proclaimed “Queen of Canada.”

It’s important to note that while populism can address legitimate concerns and grievances within a society, it can be divisive and lead to policies that oversimplify complex issues.

Populist movements have gained traction in various countries and have influenced political landscapes in recent years, contributing to shifts in political discourse and policy directions. Populism is a complex and evolving phenomenon, and its impact can vary significantly depending on the specific context and the leaders involved.

What does it mean to gaslight someone?

Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation in which a person seeks to sow seeds of doubt in a targeted individual or in members of a targeted group, making them question their own memory, perception, or sanity.

The term “gaslighting” originated from the 1938 play “Gas Light,” where a husband manipulates his wife into doubting her own reality by dimming the gas lights in their home and then denying that the lights are changing.

Gaslighting often involves tactics such as denial, contradiction, projection, withholding information, trivializing concerns, and diverting attention.

Does this sound familiar? This behaviour is relatively consistent with some local, Niagara-based goons. This gang of irredeemable ghouls have been targeting several local elected officials because of their identity or their political ideology. The actions of this small group of angry, obsessed fools aren’t limited only to selecting alternative candidates on election day or occasionally expressing themselves on their own personal, private social media spaces. Rather, in fact, they are engaged in a consistent, persistent, and escalating campaign of criminal harassment, a type of emotional and psychological harassment.

The goal of gaslighting is often to gain control over the victim by undermining their confidence, independence, and sense of reality. It can occur in various types of relationships, including personal relationships, workplaces, and social settings. Gaslighting can have severe psychological and emotional consequences for the victim, leading to feelings of self-doubt, confusion, and anxiety.

Recognizing gaslighting is essential in addressing and countering this form of manipulation. Establishing healthy boundaries, seeking support from trusted individuals, and, in some cases, seeking professional help can be crucial for those who have experienced gaslighting.

Gaslighting political diehards of any political orientation is unacceptable. Though, it is particularly insidious when this is done by individuals with a gaggle of followers who have demonstrated their comfort with breaking the law, with violent tendencies, and who are likely to possess and use weapons. This is a form of stochastic terrorism.

Why it is Essential to be an Ally for the 2SLGBTQQIA+ Community

For years now, various municipalities and states in the U.S. have been discreetly passing a sundry of bylaws and state-wide ordinances restricting access to public and private spaces by transgendered men and women. These laws either create or enforce pre-existing laws that allow private businesses and government services to be selective in whom they serve or will enable the use of their facilities. These laws cover the denial of tenancy and refusal of service, among others, but bathroom usage has been making the headlines recently. Those in favour of this neo-segregation have argued that it is a means to prevent men from wandering into female restrooms and assaulting vulnerable women.

While here in Ontario, we haven’t yet witnessed a barrage of anti-trans legislation; however, with that said, we must only look to Saskatchewan as an example of what could happen. Every time a profoundly conservative person or party (wrongly and dangerously guided by some arcane faith) gets elected and then falls into some well-earned controversy, to evade responsibility and to shore up support from their party hardliners, they propose some overt anti-trans, unconstitutional legislation, in hopes of regaining a few points and to avoid a confidence vote.

Our society, both in Canada and the United States, has engineered it so that transgender men and women are chronically under or unemployed, are homeless or have precarious housing situations, and have little or no access to mental healthcare and adequate pharma care necessary to have a safe, successful transition. I have faced many of these problems here in Ontario. I have had employers, most notably a public university here in St. Catharines, deadname me. I have had clients drop me because of my gender status, and I have had medical professionals fail to maintain minimal standards of care in my treatment here.

With trans individuals representing less than 1% of the total population (in the U.S. and here in Canada), to ensure that my vulnerable, equity-seeking community enjoys the complete protection of the Charter and human rights codes (provincially), now, more than ever, we need cis allies in our communities and workplaces.

Doug Ford, premier of Ontario, due to his proclivities, is always running headfirst into some controversy, and it is only a matter of time until he serves up my marginalized community as red meat for his savage, mouth-breathing base.

While I try to remain hopeful and thankful that we have a robust, liberally interpreted Charter, it is evident, at this point, that those on the right are exceptionally comfortable with gleefully suspending our Charter for their own personal, professional, and economic gain.

It’s not simply enough to not be mean or make inappropriate jokes at the expense of some communities. We should recognize the hardship that those from vulnerable communities experience on a micro and macro level daily. Things will only improve for the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community if we all work together to strengthen our communities in Niagara, Ontario, and across this country.

With compassion, empathy, understanding, education, personal growth, and togetherness, we can push back against the rise of bigoted rhetoric and unwarranted, unwanted, abhorrent populism. 

United, we, as a broader community, can fight against the rise of this vulgar hate driven by arcane beliefs, personal incredulity, and greed. I look to those kind and caring people right here in St. Catharines and all across Niagara to unite around marginalized and equity-seeking communities to be allies.

Simply knowing a trans person is not being an ally. Being an ally requires resolute action and unwavering enterprise. Merely knowing someone is resigned acknowledgement. Accepting them is the first step; Being an ally is what comes next.