EU Scream – Episode 122: “Anti-LGBT as a Strategic Threat”

Released: November 12, 2025
Host: James Cantor
Guests: Leo Varadkar (former Prime Minister of Ireland), Remy Bonny (Forbidden Colors)

Episode Overview

In this urgent and insightful episode, EU Scream explores the mounting threat posed by international anti-LGBTQ+ movements as part of a broader assault on European democracy. Host James Cantor is joined in Brussels by Leo Varadkar, former Irish Prime Minister, and Remy Bonny, director of Forbidden Colors, a leading LGBTIQ rights NGO. Their discussion focuses on the weaponization of anti-LGBT rhetoric by authoritarian forces—especially Russia—and the complicit role of far-right and religious conservative networks both inside and outside the EU. The episode also covers the shifting political landscape in Europe and the US, the disturbing growth of coordinated ultra-conservative influence in European states, and explores the strategic stakes for democracy, inclusion, and security.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Democratic Backsliding and the US/European Political Climate

• Checks and Balances in US Democracy ([00:48]–[02:33]):
  • Leo Varadkar expresses deep concern over the state of US democracy, noting a dangerous shift under a second Trump administration:

    “I never thought that I'd have doubts about the perseverance of American democracy. And now I do.” (Leo Varadkar, [01:39])

  • He underlines the importance of Congress, the Supreme Court, and the military in defending democracy.
• Personal Engagements with Trump ([02:33]–[04:19]):
  • Varadkar describes interactions with Trump and Pence, noting Trump 1.0 was "much more muted" on anti-LGBT issues than the subsequent administration.
  • Trump’s performative pro-LGBT gestures contrasted with escalating attacks during his second term.

2. Brexit, UK Politics, and Irish Concerns

• Uncertainties around Far-Right Leadership in Britain ([04:19]–[06:14]):
  • Varadkar cautions against over-fixating on possible Farage premiership but warns of the risk to Northern Ireland and Scottish interests.
  • Brexit’s fallout has not delivered on its promises and has exposed Britain to greater internal discontent.
• Political Shifts in Ireland ([06:14]–[08:39]):
  • Recent Irish presidential elections are explained as reflecting a ceremonial push-left, not an overall system realignment.
  • Varadkar firmly dismisses merging Ireland’s center-right parties as a tactic to block the left.

3. Rise of Europe's Far-Right and the Reframing of Social Issues

• Polarization in European Parliament, Alliances with Far-Right Parties ([09:12]–[11:46]):
  • Varadkar notes three distinct far-right groupings now strong in the European Parliament, indicating real, deepening polarization.
  • Expresses unease over alliances between traditional center-right groups (like the EPP) and the far-right (ECR), though pragmatic about necessary coalitions for governing.

4. Intersectionality and the Politics of Identity

• Racism, Islamophobia, and Political Fundamentalism ([11:46]–[14:23]):
  • Varadkar emphasizes that membership in a minority group does not dictate political beliefs:

    “People should be judged, if judged at all, by the content of their character, not the color of their skin.” (Leo Varadkar, [12:23])

  • Critiques both political Islam and fundamentalist Christianity for their threat to liberal democracy.

5. The Strategic Threat: International Anti-LGBTQ+ Networks

Strategic Use of Anti-LGBTQ Rhetoric ([14:23]–[19:28])

• Russia and the Global “Traditionalist” Push ([14:23]–[16:01]):
  • Varadkar and Bonny explain how Russia and US Evangelicals use anti-LGBTQ messaging to sow division and further authoritarian goals, especially in Central and Eastern Europe.
• Budapest as an Anti-LGBTQ Hub ([16:01]–[16:51]):
  • Bonny exposes Budapest’s emergence as a headquarters for US and Russian anti-LGBTQ organizations, with groups sharing tactics to destabilize democracy.

    “They’re all coming together… to dismantle and to weaponize our communities as part of a tactic, geopolitical war against our community… and just use our community as a scapegoat to destabilize democracy in general.” (Remy Bonny, [16:24])

Russia, Hungary, and Tactical Application ([16:51]–[18:26])

• Varadkar: Russia’s efforts focus on dividing democracies along social lines, targeting more conservative populations in Eastern Europe.
• Intelligence during Varadkar’s leadership confirmed links between anti-LGBTQ movements, cyberattacks, and election interference from Russia and allied states.

Soft Power and Conservative US Networks ([19:28]–[21:28])

• Bonny traces the evolution and global reach of the World Congress of Families, showcasing the pipeline of anti-LGBTQ ideology from Russia to the American right and its infiltration into the EU via Hungary as a “Trojan horse”.

6. Strategies for Resistance and Countermeasures

• Political Leadership Beyond Office ([21:28]–[24:03]):

  • Varadkar now acts as a high-profile ally, providing moral support and normalization, particularly in resistant regions:

    “So perhaps in some ways, just demonstrating normalization.” (Leo Varadkar, [22:41])

• Role of the EU and Transatlantic Tensions ([24:03]–[26:16]):

  • The US retreat under Trump has created an advocacy vacuum, with Varadkar urging the EU to fill the space—through funding, diplomatic signaling, and defending European Court decisions.
  • Prioritizing a pragmatic, non-colonial approach to supporting internal democracy without stoking nationalist backlash.

• Litigation Against Hungary ([26:16]–[27:55]):

  • Remy Bonny details the case against Hungary’s 2021 anti-LGBTQ propaganda law, coordinated EU legal action, and the strategic importance of enforcing treaty values:

    “This is a union, not just of member states. It's a union of people, a union of values, and the European Union protects those kind of rights.” (Leo Varadkar, [27:40])

• Spread of Anti-LGBTQ “Virus” — Bulgaria, Slovakia, Italy ([29:44]–[31:54]):

  • Bonny and Varadkar document how draconian laws are not isolated; they’re spreading across Bulgaria, Slovakia, and Italy, with Brussels often slow or inconsistent in response.
  • The illiberal “playbook” is being translated and exported across member states and neighbors, threatening core democratic rights.

7. Ties Between Ultra-Conservative Networks and Security Threats

• Alliance Between US Evangelicals and Russian Actors ([31:54]–[34:41]):

  • Bonny provides a case study of Moldovan conference funding traced to Russian and American hardline religious interests, highlighting the complexity and reach of these anti-democratic alliances.

• Anti-LGBTQ Rhetoric as Democracy’s Front Line ([34:41]–[35:51]):

  • Varadkar emphasizes:

    “We're actually the ones in the trenches, on the front line, and if we're defeated, they're coming for your rights too.” (Leo Varadkar, [35:44])

  • Attacks on sexual minorities are often the prelude to broader attacks on rights, assembly, and democratic freedoms.

8. Policy Dilemmas: Strategic Alliances and Enforcement Gaps

• Mainstreaming Far-Right Parties in the EU ([35:51]–[37:28]):

  • The ECR group’s alliance with centrist forces is seen as a double-edged sword—seeking to moderate new parties while risking mainstreaming illiberal values.

• Institutional Weakness in the Face of US Pressure ([27:55]–[29:44]):

  • Repeated hesitancy by EU leaders to robustly enforce their own treaties, particularly under US diplomatic/economic pressure, is called out.
  • The transatlantic dynamic with the Trump administration undermines digital regulation and human rights efforts (e.g., Digital Services Act).

9. Tech Giants, Social Media, and Disinformation

• Ireland’s Role as Tech Gatekeeper ([41:34]–[43:12]):
  • Varadkar discusses Ireland’s delicate balance as host of tech multinationals and as GDPR/Digital Services Act (DSA) regulator.
  • He admits EU and Ireland acted too slowly to check social media platforms’ role in spreading hate:

    “We collectively… were far too slow to regulate social media. Perhaps we didn't understand it and we allowed them to really get away with this idea that they're not publishers.” (Leo Varadkar, [43:35])

  • Algorithms, not just content, are spotlighted as drivers of polarization and anti-LGBT/migrant “virality”.

10. Europe’s Security Role and Neutrality Debates

• Ireland and NATO ([46:56]–[48:44]):

  • Varadkar clarifies the historical reasons for Ireland’s military neutrality and how recent events (Ukraine, Russian cyber/physical threats) have prompted debate over involvement in common security efforts.

• Changes to Irish Peacekeeping Deployment Laws ([48:44]–[49:54]):

  • Details on legislative reforms to relax the requirement for UN mandates, reflecting a pragmatic approach to new security realities.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the strategic nature of the anti-LGBTQ+ attack:

  "I think it is tactical, I think it is strategic, and I think that that's, in many ways what makes it most dangerous."
  — Leo Varadkar ([17:59])

• On Budapest as anti-LGBTQ headquarters:

  “They’re all coming together… to dismantle and to weaponize our communities as part of a tactic, geopolitical war against our community…”
  — Remy Bonny ([16:24])

• On global anti-democratic alliances:

  “Friendships and relationships between American ultra conservative evangelicals and the Russians are… back.”
  — Remy Bonny ([32:00])

• On why LGBTIQ+ rights defense is central to democracy:

  “If you can outlaw a pride march, well, it can be a student march too… if we're defeated, they're coming for your rights too.”
  — Leo Varadkar ([35:44])

• On social media & tech enforcement failures:

  “We… allowed them to really get away with this idea that they're not publishers…”
  — Leo Varadkar ([43:35])

• On EU strategic weakness:

  “All of that is indicative of how weak Europe is, that we've allowed our economy to fall behind that of the US… and that we've become so dependent on them for security.”
  — Leo Varadkar ([28:32])

Major Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:39] Leo Varadkar on US Democratic Backsliding
• [04:59] Brexit, Farage, and the Irish Border
• [09:42] Polarization in the European Parliament
• [12:23] Leo Varadkar on intersectionality, character
• [14:59] Russia’s “traditional values” strategy
• [16:01] Bonny on Budapest as anti-LGBT nerve center
• [19:28] How anti-LGBTQ networks interface with EU elites
• [24:03] EU’s need to fill America’s advocacy vacuum
• [26:21] Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ law and EU court challenge
• [29:44] Bulgaria, Slovakia, Italy—Expanding anti-LGBT “virus”
• [34:41] Democracy at stake: anti-LGBT and authoritarianism
• [35:44] Rights of all—“first they came for us…”
• [41:34] Tech giants, GDPR, and hate speech
• [43:35] Platforms “not publishers”—consequences
• [46:56] Ireland & NATO, security dilemmas

Tone and Language

The conversation is sober yet passionate, mixing analytical depth with personal conviction, particularly from Leo Varadkar, who frames his perspective in pragmatic, centrist-liberal terms. Remy Bonny provides activist rigor, rich in detail and evidence, while James Cantor’s framing reinforces the urgency and complexity of the intersecting threats.

Conclusion

This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the intersection of civil rights, European politics, and international security. It sharply illuminates how anti-LGBTQ+ movements have become a vector for undermining democracy itself, how these attacks are coordinated internationally, and why robust, united action is critical—not just for LGBTQ+ rights, but for European values and democracy as a whole.