HAPPY PRIDE MONTH!
DON’T TAKE THE BAIT
Though many think of Pride as simply a celebration, it has always been bigger. Pride is a call to action, a visibility event, a protest, and a declaration of the right to exist freely and safely. And this year, right-wing extremists are laser-focused on targeting the LGBTQ community in horrifying and cruel ways.
As people who value the freedom to live safely and authentically, it is our call to uplift, defend, and celebrate LGBTQ folks every month, not just Pride. We are thrilled to use research and messaging from A Better Wisconsin Together, Human Rights Campaign WI, and Fair Wisconsin in this guide, and we hope you come back to it to use it as often as you are called to. Because if our words don’t spread, they don’t work. Thank you for being part of our choir.
The Opposition’s Agenda
Anti-LGBTQ+ legislative attacks take many forms, including bills regarding pronouns, bathrooms, and religious exemptions and bans on gender-affirming care, sports participation, drag books and curriculums.
Disinformation about LGBTQ+ people is being used to manufacture fake crises, stoke fear, persuade people to support right-wing agendas and splinter our movement for a multiracial democracy.
Over the last ten years, politicians in state legislatures have increasingly turned to anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and legislation as a powerful complement to their arsenal of racist dog whistles used to whip up fear and consolidate power. We cannot ignore these attacks, morally or strategically. ASO reminds us that our appeals on any other topic will always be filtered through the noise of this unrelenting fear-mongering and scapegoating from our opposition.
-They tell dark lies about who LGBTQ people are, purposefully trying to induce fear.
-They use misogynistic and authoritarian language to perpetuate lies about bathrooms and sports.
-And they are elevating right-wing extremists, fake experts, and pseudo-science.
Make no mistake: this is all bait. They are creating issues that don't exist, hoping to distract us and make us forget that they are actively trying to take away our freedom to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and decide for ourselves what our families look like.
ACTION STEPS
Transgender and non-binary people are our neighbors, co-workers, family members and friends. And when our friends and family are the targets of hate, violence and discrimination, we must act.
Sign Human Rights Campaign’s pledge to make the world safer for trans and non-binary people
Tell your state legislators to keep our kids safe
Support the work of Fair Wisconsin
Use this guide to have hard conversations
Forward this guide to friends and family
WINNING NARRATIVES
Center shared values instead of incendiary language of “bullies” or “bigot,” etc
Top-tested values include freedom, privacy, respect, dignity, authenticity, and acceptance
Expose motives from bad actors and tie back to the wider and collective implications of these attacks
Bad actors are exploiting ignorance in order to spread lies, attack our freedoms, and maintain power
It’s important we collectively and consistently push out content that centers our messaging. We must define policies, issues, and impacts on our terms
Provide local, direct-action solutions
Across our races, backgrounds and genders, we want to be treated with dignity and respect. But today, certain politicians are pushing laws that restrict our freedoms because of the color of our skin, what’s in our wallets, or because we are transgender. They exploit divisions and fears among us so they can get and hold onto power, denying us the basic rights, resources, and respect all people deserve. By [rejecting this division/passing protections against discrimination], we can ensure we have the freedom to be ourselves, pursue our dreams, and have a good life — no exceptions.
Sample tweets/graphic captions/short messages
Here are some sample messages you can edit and share! ABWT has adaptable graphics available here.
All of us deserve the freedom to make decisions about our own lives and bodies—regardless of our gender or identity. But today, extremists are threatening that inherent freedom by attacking trans communities. It’s time to reject division and stand up to #ProtectTransLives.
Personal healthcare decisions should be made between families and their doctors—not politicians who want to control us. That’s why we are joining together to reject bans on healthcare for trans youth. Take action today by calling your legislator today at 1-800-362-9472.
All of us can agree that no child should be shamed into thinking that living as their most authentic self is wrong. Support trans kids #protecttranslives
All kids deserve to play the sports they love - and be treated with dignity and respect. It’s time for Wisconsin lawmakers to quit using our kids as political tools meant to distract and divide - it’s time they let kids play.
Aside from parents, teachers and school staff - not politicians - are the ones who spend the most time guiding our kids to a great future, and teachers in Wisconsin are known for working with parents to decide what is best for our kids.
WHY WE LAUNCHED THIS SERIES
Make it stand out!
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
This year is a pivotal crossroads for our state and our nation. In 2020, we came out in record numbers. We marched, we voted, we volunteered, and we elected new leaders to govern our interests.
But now, our time is running out to ensure that every person in Wisconsin knows how much they made a difference. If we cut through the noise, we can ensure they know that they changed the direction of our state, improved our lives, and will do it again.
Here’s the challenge: our collective knee-jerk reaction to disinformation and incorrect statements is to provide “enough” facts to win the day, argument and voter. But contrary to our instincts, this doesn’t work and can even strengthen our opponent’s narrative!
When we try to disprove a falsehood, what ends up happening is:
We deepen the audience’s belief in the lie
We repeat and reinforce our opponent’s frame
We expose the lie to folks that might not have heard it before
At the same time, we know we can’t stay silent. This monthly newsletter will help inform how to dispel lies and call out dog whistles without repeating them.
