At the Pink Triangle Legacies Project, we believe that history is not just about the past. It is a guide for understanding the present and setting the foundation for the future. Reflecting upon history provides valuable insight for fighting against marginalization, systemic oppression, and threats to democracy. Throughout history, authoritarian movements have relied on fear and scapegoating to gain and maintain power. LGBTQ+ people have consistently been among one of the first targets of authoritarian regimes and often are their most persistent targets.

 

Today, we are witnessing a dangerous resurgence of far-right authoritarian governments dehumanizing LGBTQ+ people. Across the United States, we are seeing the highest number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills in U.S. history, a dramatic spike in violent antisemitism, an exacerbation of racism, and the systematic targeting of immigrants of color. These attacks are not isolated. They are part of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement’s coordinated strategy to consolidate power through white supremacy and Christian nationalism.

 

The lessons of history are clear: queerphobia, transphobia, and authoritarianism are deeply linked, just as they are part and parcel of racism, ableism, sexism, antisemitism, and other forms of systemic oppression. The same rhetoric once used by the Nazis to justify persecution and consolidate power is now being echoed by right-wing politicians in the United States. If we fail to act, we risk repeating the mistakes of the past. This guide was created to equip individuals, families, educators, and communities with the knowledge and tools to resist hate and protect one another. It offers practical steps for staying safe, knowing your rights, supporting those under attack, and building solidarity across movements.

 

After the Holocaust, the world vowed “Never Again.” If we are to truly honor this call, we must acknowledge that “never again” cannot apply only to mass murder and genocide. We must commit to never again allow the ideologies that led to genocide to go unchallenged. History shows us how fascism and authoritarianism can take root and thrive even in democratic societies if they are not confronted early and often. Never Again is Now. Together, we can fight against the march to authoritarianism, defend our freedoms, and ensure an inclusive, just, and safe society.