We’re all familiar with that Martin Niemoller quote.
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me–and there was no one left to speak for me.
Sadly I see this quoted more often nowadays by right-wing groups directed at opponents who represent the very opposite to the values of Nazi Germany. When it’s used by the fraudulently-named “Anglican Mainstream“, who are little more than a single-issue homophobic hate group who in no way represent the mainstream of Anglicanism, it’s stomach-churningy offensive.
I think it’s well past time to call Godwin on such toxic misrepresentation of Niemoller; when you’re effectively calling your opponents Nazis, it’s a sure sign you’ve lost the argument.
It’s a classic case of projection, something very common on the far right. I’m guessing their mindset works on the basis that everyone’s motivation is the same as their own. So those of us who believe LGBT folks deserve to be treated equally are motivated not by empathy towards fellow human beings but by an elimationist hatred of “Traditional Christians”. Complete nonsense, of course, but that does seem to be the way they think.
It’s the same mindset that leads white supremacists to claim they’re equivalent to minorities celebrating their own cultures or daring to demand equal rights with the rest of us. Or global warming deniers claiming that all scientists presenting evidence of global warming are just spinning conspiracy theories and shilling for vested interests simply because that’s the way the rightwing pundit world works.
Of course, the whole “liberal fascist” meme encapsulates this projection in just two words…