This week on All Ears it’s the second part of our two-part interview with journalist and activist Imara Jones. Abby and Imara talk in-depth about “The Anti-Trans Hate Machine”, a fantastic 4-part podcast by Imara and Translash Media. It’s an investigative series that looks into the political activities of powerful far-right wing Christians to advocate for and help create laws that discriminate against trans people. One of the most influential people in this sphere of influence is former Trump Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, whose family has reportedly donated over $200 million to Republicans and Republican causes. Imara walks Abby through the agenda of Dominionism, a theology that seeks to elect and install a Christian nationalist government based on biblical law. Sharing audio and details of her reporting, Imara paints a dramatic portrait of a coordinated, well-funded effort to influence democratic institutions by using anti-trans legislation as a cultural wedge. You won’t want to miss this one.
Last week in part one Imara and Abby covered the Netflix/Dave Chappelle controversy, Please take a listen if you haven’t had the chance!
EPISODE LINKS:
The Anti-Trans Hate Machine Podcast, on A-Cast
ACLU, Legislation Affecting LGBT Rights Across the Country
The Gathering Conference
Politico, Trump’s education pick says reform can ‘advance God’s kingdom’, 2016
Rolling Stone, Betsy DeVos' Holy War, 2017
Mother Jones, Betsy DeVos Wants to Use America's Schools to Build 'God's Kingdom', 2017
Vanity Fair, The Strange Ascent of Betsy DeVos and Erik Prince, 2018
Politico, A look at DeVos family philanthropic giving, 2018
The Daily Beast, The $1-Billion-a-Year Right-Wing Conspiracy You Haven’t Heard Of, 2014
Sludge, America’s Biggest Christian Charity Funnels Tens of Millions to Hate Groups, 2019
Political Research Associates, Christian Reconstructionism, 1994
The Texas Observer, The Radical Theology That Could Make Religious Freedom a Thing of The Past, 2016