The horror show that is the Republican Party’s attack on the queer community, particularly the trans community, in the United States is not just limited to our country. Anti-queer sentiment is taking hold in many countries and regions across the globe. So, in this respect, the United States is not unique. What is unique, however, is the United States’ singular ability to export and influence policy in other countries, given our role on the world stage. Today I’m talking to Caleb Okereke, managing editor of Minority Africa – a news organization dedicated to telling the stories of minority communities in Africa. Caleb is also a prolific researcher and journalist – his work has appeared in such places as Foreign Policy Magazine, CNN, The Guardian, Christian Science Monitor, VICE, and Al Jazeera.  We talk about the work of Minority Africa and the evolving landscape of queer rights in Africa, how the United States has influenced the recent push for anti-queer legislation, and how journalism has a natural nexus with advocacy. And, then I share my thoughts about how poorly Republicans perform in American democracy, and why they are working so hard to eliminate it.Mentioned:The StaircaseThe Missionary PodcastRecommended:Minority Africa-------------------------Follow Deep Dive:InstagramYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock

Following the  2015 Supreme Court decision in Obergefell, it was unclear how Republicans would respond - if there would be some significant backlash. It seemed that Republicans accepted the decision as the final word on gay marriage, and public opinion polling consistently showed high support amongst voters. And, that support was bleeding into other queer-related issues, notably trans issues. But, in about 2019, early 2020, Republicans started focusing on trans related issues – bathroom bills, who could play on sports teams, etc. Over the past couple of years this has intensified. This year alone, over 400 anti-queer bills have been introduced in statehouses across the country, and the lion’s share of them target trans folks and drag performers. In some ways, this is confounding, because by and large – public opinion of queer-related issues remains high. So, why are Republicans doing this? To help me understand this, I’m talking to Dr. Andrew Flores. He is an Assistant Professor of Government at American University and a Visiting Scholar at the Williams Institute at UCLA. He has published extensively on public opinion and the queer community. He also researches hate crimes and violence committed against the queer community. We talk about all of these things. And, after the interview I check in with friend the pod, Justin Hentges (you might remember him from a couple of prior episodes of Deep Dive). I’m checking in with him to, hopefully, remind me that the world is a wonderful place full of wonderful people. -------------------------Follow Deep Dive:InstagramYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock

In the first part of this episode, I'm talking to Ann Thomas – founder, CEO, and manager of Transgender Talent – an independent production company and talent management for trans performers and artists. We talk about the entertainment industry, how its changed (and in some ways how it hasn’t), challenges that trans performers and artists experience in the industry, how trans artists can navigate an increasingly dangerous political environment, why it's important to support these artists, and how you can do that. Then I’m talking to friend of the pod, Dr. Sara Benesh of the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, our resident judicial scholar here at Deep Dive. Given the hellscape that the judiciary is bringing down on the United States, and after a particularly eventful week (last week), I have a lot of questions for Sara. And, so we’re going there on the Wisconsin State Supreme Court race, District Court Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk's recent decision overturning the FDA's approval of Mifepristone, and the latest Clarence Thomas weirdness.And in my final thought, I discuss the cruelty of the modern Republican Party.Mentioned:Transgender TalentAuschwitz.orgActors AccessLindy and Jlo on YoutubeClarence Thomas and the Billionaire - ProPublicaThe Cruelty is the Point - Adam Serwer-------------------------Follow Deep Dive:InstagramYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock

**This episode was originally released on June 10, 2022. Given Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's recent comments about a "national divorce," it seems appropriate to revisit the history around this subject (with last week's episode), and the legality and likelihood of that happening in the future (this week's episode). Last week, I talked to Dr. Susan Schulten about the history of secession in the United States, the Civil War, and lessons we may, or may not, have learned. Today, I’m focusing on contemporary secession movements. My first guest, Dr. Timothy Waters (Maurer School of Law at Indiana University) is the author of Boxing Pandora: Rethinking Borders, States, and Secession in a Democratic World. We discuss secession movements globally, how they are instigated, their likelihood of success, something Shawn calls "country hunting," and how international law supports, or disincentivizes, serious secession sentiment. My second guest, Marcus Ruiz Evans, is the author of California’s Next Century 2.0: Economic Renaissance. He is also the leader of California’s secession initiative, Yes California (or Calexit). We talk about the divisions he sees between California and the rest of the United States, his vision for a new nation-state of California, and how he plans to get there. **Note that these interviews were conducted about one month into the Russian war in Ukraine.**Mentioned: Texas v. White Recommended:Boxing Pandora: Rethinking Borders, States, and Secession in a Democratic World– Timothy WatersCalifornia’s Next Century 2.0: Economic Renaissance– Marcus Ruiz Evans-------------------------Follow Deep Dive:InstagramYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock

**This episode was originally released on June 3, 2022. Given Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's recent comments about a "national divorce," it seems appropriate to revisit the history around this subject (with this week's episode), and the legality and likelihood of that happening in the future (next week's episode). This episode is the first of two (one today and one next week) focusing on secession – the separation of a state or region from another. This week, I'm talking to Dr. Susan Schulten, a professor, author, and historian at the University of Denver. She is an expert on the Civil War and the precipitating events, including the secession of eleven southern states from the Union. While the conversation is historical, we also discuss the political climate in the United States today, as well as parallels that might exist between then and the now. I want to know if we should be concerned and Dr. Schulten reminds me of the fluid nature of history and events. Mentioned:Scopes TrialCamping Grounds: Public Nature in American Life from the Civil War to the Occupy Movement – Phoebe S.K. Young Recommended: A History of America in 100 Maps – Susan Schulten -------------------------Follow Deep Dive:InstagramYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock

Today's episode is the second of a three-part series that seeks to understand what underpins the Trumpism movement in the United States – who these voters are and what motivates them, and then how that fits into a broader global shift we’re seeing - away from liberal democracy. Last week I spoke to Dr. Arlie Hochschild about her book Strangers in Their Own Land  to understand the paradox of conservative folks and their support for policies that do tangible harm to them.Today I’m talking to Dr. Philip Gorski, professor and sociologist at Yale University, and the co-author of the book The Flag and the Cross. Together, we discuss another seeming paradox – why self-identified Christians align so closely with Trump who, for all intents and purposes, is not a true Christian. He certainly hasn’t lived his life in accordance to scripture. I want to know how Christians square this alliance and this allegiance, how we got here, and if there is any chance that this relationship could be short-circuited – and, if so, how. Mentioned: Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right - Arlie HochschildThe Religion of American Greatness: What's Wrong with Christian Nationalism - Paul D. MillerJesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation - Kristin Kobes Du MezRecommended:The Flag and the Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy - Philip S. Gorski and Samuel L. Perry-------------------------Follow Deep Dive:InstagramYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock

On November 8th, American voters did something relatively remarkable for a midterm election. We now know that Democrats will keep the Senate (perhaps even expand it by a seat) and that Republicans will narrowly take the House. This is a massive underperformance for Republicans.Along with a lot of other people, I’m interested in understanding what happened – and specifically, how the Dobbs decision and the abortion question might have influenced this election – if at all. So, my guest today is a former colleague of mine, Dr. Joshua Wilson – Professor and Chair of the Political Science Department at the University of Denver and Associate Editor of the Law & Policy academic journal. Dr. Wilson has written and published extensively about abortion politics – and other things – including the books The New States of Abortion Politics, The Street Politics of Abortion, and most recently, Separate but Faithful: The Christian Right’s Radical Struggle to Transform Law and Legal Culture with co-author Amanda Hollis-Brusky. His research has also been published in numerous academic journals and appeared in mass media outlets, such as Newsweek, Christian Science Monitor, Washington Post, and Politico – to name just a few. We talk about how anti-abortion activists manipulated the legal landscape on abortion issues over the decades in such a way that they primed an entirely new political debate and pursued strategies that culminated in the overturning of Roe. We talk about what this might look like moving forward, if the national Republican Party has an appetite for a nationwide abortion ban, and if the Dobbs decision cost Republicans what – by all accounts – should have been an overwhelming retaking of Congress. We also talk about the state of American politics and why Donald Trump leaving the political arena won’t solve the problem of political violence in the United States. Mentioned:Whole Women's Health v. HellerstedtJune Medical Services LLC v. RussoThe Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre DumasRecommended: In Cold Blood - Truman CapoteThe Executioner's Song - Normal Mailer-------------------------Follow Deep Dive:InstagramYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock

**On January 24, 2023, Pope Francis stated in an interview with the AP that being a homosexual is not a crime. This reminded me of a conversation that I had in October of 2022 with Dr. Frank Mugisha of Uganda about being gay and also Catholic. Today, Deep Dive is re-visiting that conversation. **Today I’m talking to Dr. Frank Mugisha. He is the Executive Director of SMUG – which stands for Sexual Minorities Uganda, a support and advocacy organization for queer Ugandans that was recently shut down by the Uganda government. For his work, Frank was awarded the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award and the Rafto Prize in 2011. In 2014, he was a nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize. In 2017, he was listed as one of Fortune Magazine’s World’s Greatest Leaders. And, this year, 2022, he was awarded the Civil Rights Defender of the Year Award.   In Uganda, gay sex is illegal and, depending on the charges levied, could carry the death penalty. In addition to harassment by government officials and law enforcement, mob violence is a very real threat in Uganda. This has led to the beating and murder of a number of Frank’s friends and colleagues. Since SMUG was shut down, the government has waged a social media campaign directly targeting Frank, labeling him a groomer and pedophile (mirroring the same tactics that Republicans are employing in the states).   I want to thank United States Senator Tammy Baldwin and her office for providing some assistance. If you would like to assist Frank in any way, whether it be moral, legal, or emotional support, please contact him at frankmugisha@gmail.com You can also contact Shawn at deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com for other ways to provide support, or to make the appropriate connection on your behalf. If you are are in a similiar situation, or know someone who is, the following resources may be useful: Center for Constitutional RightsUnited States Citizenship and Immigration Service - Refugees and Asylum Seekers-------------------------Follow Deep Dive:InstagramYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock

In July of last year – 2022 – Lever Alejos emerged from the jungle in Panama, with no shoes, and just the tattered remains of clothes that still clung to his body after almost a week trekking through the Darien Gap – a 60 mile stretch of untamed, undeveloped jungle between Colombia and Panama. Lever was coming from Venezuela, escaping political persecution, in search of a better life. On arriving at the Texas border, he was processed by the United States government and then - and put on a bus out of the state, not knowing where he was being sent, presumably at the direction of Texas governor Greg Abbott. Although – I have to say that the governors of Texas, Arizona, and Florida have all employed this practice with immigrants arriving at the border, and they have done so shrouded in secrecy, so the details remain unclear as to which governor is responsible for which bus. This fact alone is unsettling – and, to my mind, I have to wonder why keep it a secret, unless one is worried about its legality or its humanity. In end, Lever was dropped off in Washington DC, and this is is currently where he is.  This episode is about Lever and his experience coming to the United States – why he left Venezuela, what his journey here was like, how he has been received in the United States, and what he hopes for his future.  While this is a very personal story – I urge you to consider this when listening: this is one of thousands of similar stories. Of people fleeing persecution, violence, war, torture – at the hands of their governments, most often authoritarian governments. Lever was one of the lucky few to have successfully made it – and by that I mean, survived the journey. Many people have died trying – either succumbed to the environment or have been murdered by police, cartels, bandits, and other nefarious actors.  As you will hear from Lever – people are putting their lives, very literally, on the line for a better life than the one their own government is providing. And, regardless of your politics, this should give you some pause. At minimum – to consider how lucky we all are to live in the country that we do. Mentioned:Lever Profiled in New York TimesUnited Nations High Commissioner for RefugeesRecommended:Doctors Without Borders-------------------------Follow Deep Dive:InstagramYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock

According to the 2022 Freedom in the World report issued by Freedom House – 38% of the global population live in Not Free countries, and only 20% live in Free countries. In 2022 alone, 60 countries experienced declines in democratic freedom, while only 25 experienced increases. This picture is stark – democracies are in decline. Authoritarianism is on the rise. Increasingly, especially on the Right, this trend is leveraged to suggest that authoritarian regimes are a legitimate alternative to democracy. That the rise of authoritarianism reflects the desire and need for something other than democracy – some counterbalance. But, this argument misses something fundamental. We need to consider something else in tandem with this trend – the rise of authoritarianism - to help us more fully draw conclusions and make assumptions. Perhaps it’s important to know how people living in these countries feel about increasing unfreedom.  So, here’s something to consider. The world is also awash in refugees and immigrants – almost universally fleeing authoritarian, theocratic, and totalitarian regimes; and they are landing in democracies. They are fleeing TO freedom. This undercuts the legitimacy of authoritarianism as a viable alternative to democracy. People don’t want to live in authoritarian states – They don’t want to live without voice, without freedom, without safety.  So, this is a different picture, a reality – that the number of democracies is declining while the number of authoritarian states is increasing – which has led to a massive influx of people fleeing these unfree states into increasingly shrinking available free states  - this is a crisis. Not of democracy. It’s a crisis of authoritarianism.  So, the next two episodes – today and next week - take a closer look at people that are fleeing two of these authoritarian regimes. Next week I’m talking to someone who fled political persecution in Venezuela for a better life in the United States – only to arrive and be placed on a bus commissioned by the Texas governor with no knowledge of where he was going and what would happen when he got there. And, today, I’m talking to someone who has fled Russia –  Sergey refused to be mobilized to fight in support of the Putin’s war in Ukraine. We talk about his life before the war, how and why he decided to leave his homeland, how it has disrupted his life, and what he hopes for his future, having lost everything he had planned for himself and his family. Recommended:Freedom HouseMentioned:Wednesday (TV Series)-------------------------Follow Deep Dive:InstagramYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock