Across Turkey, Serbia, Hungary, and beyond, governments facing political pressure are turning to a familiar instrument of authoritarian statecraft: the deliberate targeting of LGBTQ+ communities under the banner of protecting families and children. What experts describe as opportunistic scapegoating — not principled ideology — is accelerating a global regression in rights, as regimes discover that manufacturing a visible enemy costs little and distracts much. The human toll is measured in raids, arrests, and the quiet self-erasure of millions who no longer feel safe holding a partner's hand in
Authoritarian Regimes Target LGBTQ+ Communities as Political Scapegoat
Hundreds arrested in Turkey; 80% of Serbian LGBTQ+ respondents avoid public displays of affection due to fear; widespread marginalization and violence reported across multiple countries.