Patriarchy is Fascism

Oppression and bigotry toward women and marginalized genders is fascist.

Oppression and bigotry toward BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) is fascist.

Oppression and bigotry toward LGBTQIA+ people is fascist.

It is no coincidence that at the same time we’re seeing rising authoritarianism around the world, we’re also seeing a rise in oppressive laws, book bans, and hate against women, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ people. It’s all interconnected. Perpetuating gender binary is part of patriarchy, which is part of fascism. One of the first things you see with rising fascism is misogyny.

The Anti-Trans Hate Machine is an excellent podcast, and the host in a Zoom panel (and on the podcast) divulged that the same billionaire-backed hate groups that are destroying reproductive rights are also attacking transgender rights. After all, patriarchy is part of fascism, and women, marginalized genders, and queer people are all a threat to gender binary and traditional gender roles, so of course fascists attack all of the above. (The podcast gets into more detail, naming the funders and hateful organizations.)

With that in mind, it’s frustrating and weird to speak with people who call themselves feminists but are gender essentialists and are intolerant toward trans and nonbinary people. If you’re transphobic, you’re…