Fascists need enemies and the enemy needs to be both small in number and visibly identifiable.

To approach this from a different angle, I would say this is actually an ironically encouraging sign that we are lurching in a good direction. There’s always going to be some level of racism, misogyny, homophobia, etc., but those things are mainstream enough that you have to be really hard right to beat the drum for them. It’s the kind of thing that might still play in certain areas, and with certain types or demographic, but the mainstream isn’t really down with it. Open pro-trans movements and statements are pretty new compared to these other things, so it’s just the latest in the succession of what-can-I-hate-up that authoritarian types latched onto. I have a feeling we’re lurching – and pretty quickly – toward trans becoming more mainstream

I still don’t understand why the trans thing has suddenly become a “problem.”

The Tea Party (remember them?) & MAGA have taught the leaders of the conservative movement that they need to constant feed the crazy (that they created) or they’ll get dumped for anyone who is better at whipping up fear, hate, and anger.

if they don’t want to join Jesus in being called weak and liberal, then they need to constantly demonize some vulnerable minority. POCs, lesbians, and gays are not that vulnerable any more, so whose next? Transgender people! hence the "trans thing has suddenly become a “problem.” "

Terfs (particularly lesbian terfs) are the worst examples, they’re bigots desperately trying to get the conservative patriarchial gaze’s approval, but without wanting to out themselves as desperatetly wanting conservative patriarchial gaze’s approval. Bigoted chucklefucks.