FBI to Categorize Trans People As "Nihilistic Violent Extremist" Threat Group, Report Says The choice is being championed by the Heritage Foundation, which is behind Project 2025.

Response from a Universal Rainbow Faith Perspective

We stand in deep concern and solidarity with the transgender and LGBTQ+ communities, and we reject and condemn in the strongest possible terms any government rhetoric that paints them as “violent extremists,” “terrorists,” or in any way as a threat. Such language is not just false—it is dangerous, divisive, and violates the core principles of dignity, love, and justice that our faith traditions uphold.

---

Why This Rhetoric is Harmful

1. It spreads fear and stigma.

When government institutions equate LGBTQ+ and especially transgender people with extremism or violence, it reinforces long-standing negative stereotypes. This amplifies hostility, encourages discrimination, and can incite violence against innocent people. Stigma has real-world consequences—in health, safety, employment, mental well-being.

2. Absence of evidence.

There is no credible, empirically grounded evidence that the transgender community or LGBTQ+ people generally pose a terrorist threat. Characterizing a marginalized group as such without evidence is not only unjust, it also corrodes public trust in institutions and undermines the ability to have honest civic discourse.

3. Erosion of civil liberties.

Labeling a minority group as “extremists” or “terrorists” opens the door to extraordinary measures—surveillance, restrictions, suppression of speech, enumeration, and policing in ways not applied to other groups. Once those tools are used against one group, they can be used against others.

4. Chilling effect on faith and spiritual life.

For many, identifying as LGBTQ+ is not just a civil or political identity but also a part of their spiritual journey or faith community. When government demonizes this identity, it hurts people’s ability to practice their faith freely, to gather safely, and to worship without fear. It sets up a false conflict between faith and humanity, though many faiths affirm love, acceptance, compassion, and care for all people.

5. Slippery slope.

History shows again and again: once governments begin classifying certain communities as dangerous or “other,” it rarely stops there. It expands, often along lines of race, religion, political dissent, immigration status, etc. What begins as rhetoric becomes policy; what begins with rhetoric aimed at one group can metastasize into broader repression.

6. Damage to societal fabric and culture.

Culture and community thrive when trust, inclusion, and pluralism are respected. Rhetoric that targets marginalized groups undermines social cohesion. It fosters polarization, radicalization, and fear. It also contradicts the basic values of compassion, dignity, and mutual respect that are central to many spiritual and religious traditions.

---

A Faith-Based Call to Action

We call on all leaders—political, religious, and civic—to stop using language that dehumanizes or criminalizes people for their gender identity or sexual orientation. Let us instead lead with humility, evidence, empathy, and love.

We urge government bodies to engage in transparent, fact-based policymaking. Claims of threat must be substantiated; otherwise, they amount to unjust scapegoating.

We encourage faith communities to raise their voices in defense of LGBTQ+ people, to affirm that all are beloved in the eyes of the Divine, and to work toward healing divisions.

We call upon the broader society—media, educational institutions, neighbors—to refuse to accept harmful narratives, to question rhetoric that lacks evidence, and to uplift stories and realities of transgender and LGBTQ+ people.

---

In Conclusion

As people of faith—of many faiths—who believe in universal love, justice, and human dignity, we declare that this kind of rhetoric is not only wrong, it is antithetical to our highest values. We commit ourselves to stand with the LGBTQ+ community against fear, misinformation, injustice, and hate. May our words and actions reflect the vision of a world where all are welcomed, protected, and celebrated.

Rev. Paula Sadler

Universal Rainbow Faith