Homophobia still lurks at every turn. While it may be tempting to laugh off antigay bigots like Kim Davis, Pat Robertson, and Michele Bachmann, it's important to remember that some homophobes are extremely dangerous and have far-reaching power. Zimbabwe's aging dictator, Robert Mugabe, said gay people are “worse than pigs and dogs.” Ronald Reagan ignored the AIDS epidemic throughout the entirety of his presidency, neglecting to even speak about it until 1987, after thousands had died. And while Russian president Vladimir Putin may not have personally ordered neo-Nazi groups to hunt and torture LGBT Russians, his so-called "anti-propaganda" laws have created an extremely hostile environment for queer people living there. All over the world, homophobia continues to breed hate and antigay violence.
Kansas State Representative Mark Samsel faces a misdemeanor assault charge for kneeing a teenaged boy in the groin while delivering a series of strange and often homophobic rants in class captured on video by students.
Zsolt Petry called immigration a “moral degradation” and called out those who supported rights and protections for the LGBTQ+ community, families, and children.
Fabien Azoulay has endured horrific abuse behind bars for being gay, including an attack with boiling water that left him with second degree burns over much of his body.
The pair admitted to shoving a fire-poker down the 58-year-old's throat not long after the ex-magistrate had come out in an emotional newspaper article.
