Christopher Hill: Gay activism and the conquest of the rural South

The quiet towns of the Alabama countryside are normally far from the center of public attention. Rural communities often experience an exodus of young people seeking greater opportunities after high school.

But one segment of the population looks upon country towns and sees an opportunity waiting to be taken advantage of: LGBTQ+ activists. The once open spaces in these communities, parks, libraries and parades, have fallen into the cultural crosshairs of tiny, externally-supported groups that use sophisticated strategies to project the illusion of broad support. Gay activist groups, backed by affluent NGOs and federal dollars, have been exploiting the openness of these public spaces to impose a way of life that clashes with the convictions of many Alabamians.

Public Parks as Cultural Bat