Friend,

In 1987, an image from a white aryan resistance magazine featured a man in a hardhat paired with the words, “White men built this nation!! White men are this nation!!!”

While most people immediately pick up on the image’s racist intent, sociologists argue that far fewer people pick up its sexist messaging. Discussions of the hard right tend to focus on the role of white supremacy, but male supremacy is just as central.

Our recently released annual report, The Year in Hate and Extremism 2023, shows that male supremacy is an escalating problem. Their need for power and control, along with a fear of feminization, exhibits a grave problem that has been overlooked since the inception of the U.S. 

Despite significant differences between male supremacist groups, they share the belief that men have a right to dominate and enforce strict gender norms on women, trans men and nonbinary people. Any deviation of that belief is perceived as an existential threat to men and society. 

While small in number, male supremacist hate groups and the ideology they promote have an outsized influence. Now that society is moving toward more equitable practices, male supremacists have created false narratives that align with their personal experiences and broader political issues. Women’s right to bodily autonomy is one example.

Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, there have been 913% more stalking incidents, 538% more clinic obstructions and a 133% increase in bomb threats made to abortion providers. So-called “abortion abolitionist” groups like Operation: Save America harbor more extreme ideologies. They believe that those who seek abortions and those who help them are murderers and should be subject to the death penalty.

In 2023 alone, at least 10 state legislatures introduced abortion abolition bills.

Social media has proven to be a powerful tool for these hate groups. Male supremacist influencer Andrew Tate has gained a significant following despite being charged with rape and sex trafficking offenses. Tate’s attitudes regarding victim-blaming survivors of sexual assault can be reverberated by young boys and men all over the country, creating an explosive rise in misogynist ideals. His success with garnering online attention has only worsened division; exacerbated cyberbullying among young girls and LGBTQ+ youth; and normalized violence in those communities.

Building resilience against male supremacist ideologies and actions has never been more necessary. The SPLC works diligently to track hate and extremist groups because it is a critical step to disbanding these ever-increasing, dangerous movements.

Having your support is critical to deflecting the sexist and homophobic attacks that take place in our country. Please consider making a contribution today to help our team of experts work towards building a more just society through legal action, education and working with lawmakers to pass more protections for women and LGBTQ+ communities.

Thank you for making our work possible.  

Sincerely,

Southern Poverty Law Center

The SPLC is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of all people.

Friend, will you make a gift to help the SPLC fight for justice and equity in courts and combat white supremacy?