Harassment of Gays in the South

It's curious that while a segment of the population believes government is coming for them, the actual examples of recent official aggression have been against those unlikely to be supported at all by the former group. Andrew Sullivan notes the growing frequency of raids on gay bars in the south. He speculates,

Maybe these reports, after the near-death of another gay man attacked in a gay bar raid in Texas, are just random data points. Or maybe, the Age of Obama is leading some to express their rage at the changing face of this country. Gays, as so often, are among the first victims. Vigilance is necessary. For the first time in 16 years, the South does not have a native president in the White House. For the first time in 45 years, we have a Democrat not from the South in the White House. In trying to understand the passion and hysteria and anger out there, this may be worth taking into account.

The individual victims in these particular cities - Atlanta, Memphis, Ft. Worth - deserve public support. But it's also worth remaining aware - or as Sullivan says, vigilant - of the general scope and frequency of any further incidents.