Neo-Nazis, white supremacists, incels (involuntary celibates), and antigovernment extremists have reacted to pro-LGBTQ+ marches and other forms of activism that have taken place throughout June, which several U.S. administrations have designated "Pride Month." Many users have increased the promotion of violence against members of the LGBTQ+ community throughout the month. Incels and neo-Nazis have called for LGBTQ+ individuals to be "burned at the stake" and posted videos approving of the Islamic State's (ISIS) execution of homosexuals by throwing them from rooftops. Others have encouraged "lone wolves" to strike members of the community and LGBTQ+ parades and gatherings. Many groups have posted content showing supporters destroying or defacing pro-LGBTQ+ flags, murals, and other property.
People burn a LGBTQ+ flag at a Pride event.
Similarly, extremists have been protesting LGBTQ+ events throughout the month, with some groups holding demonstrations, while others distributed anti-LGBTQ+ posters and banners protesting "groomers" and drag queen story hours. Some extremists have reacted to the recent arrest of Patriot Front members in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, where they were planning to riot near an LGBTQ+ event. Many of those reacting express support for the group, although a smaller contingent referred to Patriot Front as "infiltrated" and "feds."
The following report covers content on social media from neo-Nazi, white supremacist, and antigovernment extremists on Telegram, Gab, Facebook, MeWe, and other sites about anti-LGBTQ+ extremist activity in North America, Europe, and Australia.
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Reactions To Arrests Of Patriot Front Members Planning To Protest An LGBTQ+Event
On June 11, 31 members of the white supremacist Patriot Front were arrested in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, en route to protest an LGBTQ+ event. Neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and antigovernment extremists reacted to the arrests, with many supporting the group and disparaging law enforcement for "protecting groomers."
On June 13, 2022, a neo-Nazi posted two screenshots of media reports about the arrests on Telegram, saying a major media outlet is controlled by Jews and biased against Patriot Front. He then said he would support anyone who violently attacked individuals involved with the media outlet.
In an antigovernment militia MeWe page, a user posted a response on June 12 to the arrests declaring that law enforcement was the primary enemy of extremist groups in the U.S.
Neo-Nazis, Incels, And Antigovernment Extremists Promote Violence Against the LGBTQ+ Community
Neo-Nazis, incels, and antigovernment extremists globally have called for violence against LGTBQ+ individuals and supporters. Such content has called for violence at LGBTQ+ events, destruction of property, and the executions of LGBTQ+ individuals, with some extremists supporting execution methods used by the Islamic State against suspected homosexuals.
On June 16, a neo-Nazi posted a response celebrating an arson attack on a gay neighborhood and calling for others to copy the attack, using an acronym for "racial holy war."
A neo-Nazi accelerationist Telegram channel posted an ISIS video on June 14 which showed a man who was purportedly homosexual being executed by being thrown from the top of a building. The channel expressed support for the killing.
In an antigovernment group on MeWe, an admin called for the mass killing of LGBTQ+ individuals and activists in the U.S. with a flamethrower in a June 16 comment.
A user on an incel forum created a thread on June 10 calling for violence against LGBTQ+ individuals and supporters, referring to such violence as "lifefuel."
Neo-Nazis And White Supremacists Counter Protest Against LGBTQ+ Events, Berate And Attempt To Intimidate Participants
Neo-Nazis and white supremacists have protested against pro-LGBTQ+ parades in Europe and North America. At the protests, extremists have distributed anti-LGBTQ+ material and threatened violence, inciting confrontations with pro-LGBTQ+ participants.
A white supremacist group in North America shared images and videos showing groups demonstrating against Pride events.
A European neo-Nazi group posted an article on its website on June 8, showing members of the group demonstrating against a Pride event.
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