Joss Whedon warns the US will murder gays under Trump the same as Chechnya
Famed director Joss Whedon has warned that gay people could be targeted in Trump’s America following reports that authorities in Chechnya are ‘purging’ the gay community.
Early reports emerged last week that gay people are being targeted in the region, which is part of Russia but has substantial autonomy.
Russian newspapers and human rights groups report that more than 100 gay men have been detained “in connection with their non-traditional sexual orientation, or suspicion of such” as part of a purge. Several people were also reportedly feared dead following violent raids.
In a chilling response, a Chechen government spokesperson denied that there are any gay people to detain, insisting that “you can’t detain and harass someone who doesn’t exist in the republic”. The Kremlin denied any knowledge of a purge.
The Buffy the Vampire Slayer director tweeted to suggest that the US could be headed in the same direction, urging followers to “unite and act”.
“This is harrowing, and it’s where we’re headed if we don’t unite and act,” he wrote.
“Please use your #resistance skills to address this atrocity.”
When Trump won the Presidential election back in 2016, Whedon wrote: “CANNOT be allowed a term in office,” and has consistently opposed his presidency.
Earlier this week, foreign ministers from the US, UK and the European Union urged Russia to urgently intervene.
A statement from the US State Department said: “We are aware of troubling reports that local authorities in the Republic of Chechnya have arrested or detained more than 100 men, as well as reports that three of those detained were killed.
According to Human Rights Watch, LGBT Network in Russia opened a special hotline to provide emergency support to those who find themselves in immediate danger.
