1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing to express my profound concern regarding former President Donald Trump's recent dissemination of an image featuring a crossed-out pink triangle on Truth Social, a symbol historically associated with the persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals during the Holocaust. The pink triangle was used by the Nazis to identify and oppress homosexual men in concentration camps, reclaimed by the LGBTQ+ community to represent oppression. Its appropriation in the manner Trump used it is not only deeply offensive, but also evokes a painful history of discrimination and violence. This incident is reminiscent of the 2020 Trump campaign's use of a downward-pointing red triangle in advertisements, a symbol used by the Nazis to identify political prisoners. At that time, Facebook removed the ads, citing violations of policies against organized hate. The recurrence of such symbolism in political messaging is alarming and unacceptable. I urge you to: Publicly Condemn the Use of Nazi Symbols: Issue a bipartisan statement denouncing the use of symbols associated with Nazi persecution in political campaigns and discourse. Strengthen Protections for LGBTQ+ Individuals: Advocate for and support legislation that safeguards the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ citizens, ensuring they are protected from discrimination and hate. Promote Holocaust Education: Support initiatives that educate the public about the Holocaust and the symbols associated with it to prevent the misuse of such imagery in the future. It is imperative that our leaders stand united against the normalization of hate symbols and affirm their commitment to protecting all citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.