The tragic irony is that marketised exploitation and ideological excess have done more harm to trans and LGBTIQ people than any backlash could.
The article from MSN discusses the global political landscape concerning LGBTIQ rights, focusing on the contrasting approaches of former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. It highlights how Trump's administration rolled back protections for transgender individuals and supported policies that were seen as discriminatory against the LGBTIQ community, aligning with conservative and religious groups. Conversely, Putin's Russia has implemented laws that explicitly target and marginalize the LGBTIQ community, using these policies to bolster his image as a defender of traditional values against Western liberal influences. The piece explores how these leaders' stances on LGBTIQ rights are part of a broader geopolitical strategy to appeal to certain voter bases and to assert cultural dominance or resistance in international politics. It also touches on the global struggle for LGBTIQ rights, where progress in some regions is met with significant pushback in others, reflecting a complex interplay of power, identity, and human rights.