Armed Community Groups Are Defending Texas Drag Queens From Christian Fascists

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

On an overcast Saturday in the small North Texas suburb of Princeton, a tiny church-turned-community center became one of the latest fronts in the far right’s ongoing culture crusade against drag shows and the broader LGBTQ community.

Masked members of the left-wing community defense group Elm Fork John Brown Gun Club, clad in black and toting handguns and radios, had already staked out positions around the perimeter of the Steve and Judy Deffibaugh Community Center before self-described “Christian fascist” Kelly Neidert pulled up with her own armed private security. About a half-dozen Princeton police officers stood watch. Neidert is the head of the so-called Protect Texas Kids (PTK) group, which baselessly claims to be defending children from “grooming.” In reality, advocates point out, the group is using false narratives to stoke hatred and violence against the LGBTQ community.
snip.....
Armed members of Veterans for Equality showed up to defend “A Drag Queen Christmas” outside the Aztec Theater in San Antonio in December, for instance, some open carrying and others concealing their firearms. “When we first came in [to the military], we swore an oath to fight enemies foreign and domestic, and right now we feel like the domestic part is really having an effect on us and trying to strip away our rights,” Veterans for Equality Cofounder Gen Peña told Truthout during the protest.

Moreover, venues hosting drag shows targeted by far right militants are increasingly hiring professional private security in advance of protests. Drag performers who can’t afford pricey private security services, however, are finding they can rely directly on the community itself.

https://truthout.org/articles/armed-community-groups-are-defending-texas-drag-queens-from-christian-fascists/

First, the American fascists came for transgender folks...

....and we protected them from the fascists before they had a chance to come for the rest of us.

[TreasonousBastard]

1. So we now have armed camps facing off over...

drag queens.

America, what a country.

[DBoon]

13. looks a little bit like Wiemar Germany

[The Grand Illuminist]

4. Should've been done a long time ago.

This is all that is left.

[CaptainTruth]

12. Yep. With the fascist crowd you have to.

If you don't, they'll just take over.

[Paladin]

20. Exactly so. (nt)

[bluestarone]

24. Yep!

That's where we are at! Needed to happen long ago.

[vercetti2021]

3. Goddamn right

I'll be out there with my gun defending them too. Fear the trans woman with her pistol strapped to her hip

[sarisataka]

5. Patiently waiting...

For the gun=penis and gun humping cowards comments.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

17. So, what? This makes you happy that we finally have an actual threat?

I suppose the irony is lost on you that this actual threat comes from the crowd that can’t go to Walmart without shoving a pop-gun in their pants and a long-gun on their back.

Congratulations, I guess.

[sarisataka]

19. I am simply noting the lack

Of a certain commentary. Have you heard any of the :

-NO ONE needs to carry a gun in public

-anyone who is so fearful that they feel the need to carry a gun is a coward

-I don't think I need to reiterate any of the sexual reference comments

We have a lengthy thread of posters who will run from a business if they see someone carrying. But no such comments here.

As it is, I would gladly stand alongside those protecting the performers. I wouldn't even feel the need to wear a mask to conceal my identity.

[Torchlight]

25. Sounds serious

Good luck.

[markodochartaigh]

6. They are "saying the quiet part out loud"

"ANI supports the same kind of corporative model of state-controlled worker federations adopted by Benito Mussolini’s fascist Italy. The group also supports ending birthright citizenship, repatriation of citizens “who refuse to accept the American identity,” and the active suppression of “anti-American sentiment.”'

[lonely bird]

8. Just wtf...

Is “American identity”?

As for anti-American sentiment? That is the Reich Wing’s purview.

[murielm99]

7. Sometimes I wonder if the board meetings

I am attending will turn violent. We are going to offer support against censorship. The crazy opposition attends, too.

I keep thinking that one of them might just bring a gun. We will not allow our fear stop us.

[Javaman]

9. sadly, if this tact continues, it will end up in an armed battle.

the right will shoot first but then later claim, "no one knows who shot first"

I worry about the future my granddaughter is facing.

[dlk]

10. All of the RW hysteria over people wearing costumes and makeup

It’s completely irrational.

[MissMillie]

18. it sure is

and their lack of concern over things that should concern them is equally irrational.

[dlk]

21. Skewed values, for sure

n/t

[keithbvadu2]

11. How many drag queens have molested children compared to pastors/priests/conservatives?

How many drag queens have molested children compared to pastors/priests/conservatives?

https://www.joemygod.com/?s=youth

Youth pastors

[MissMillie]

15. Gee, what could possibly go wrong with this?

I guess I should apologize for asking a question that begs for such an ugly answer... but honestly I think a lot of us were thinking the same thing.

Aren't the christo-fascists the ones that are always praising the "good guy with a gun?" I'm betting they're not so fond of these good guys with guns (hence my concern about trouble).

[Marthe48]

16. This civil war is harder to fight

There isn't a block of states set against the U.S.and the U.S. Constitution. The enemy is in your town, on your street, probably next door to your house.

The fascists have no country or boundaries, just hate for others. How do you fight that? I have tried setting a good example and living what I believe. Sort of like giving people cake and they shove your face in it.

[kairos12]

22. This is an example how right wing crazies will explode the violence

making us a modern version of Northern Ireland circa 1971.

[NowISeetheLight]

23. Texas

How long before we see the Texas legislature try to prohibit "defenders" in some way.