Who Is the Real Threat to America: Juggalos or Republicans?
Photos by Amy Lombard

FYI.

This story is over 5 years old.

Identity

Who Is the Real Threat to America: Juggalos or Republicans?

We traveled to the Republican National Convention and the Gathering of the Juggalos to ask attendees at both events the same questions on reproductive health, civil rights, and police brutality.

This week Ohio hosted two of America's most controversial conferences: the Republican National Convention and the Gathering of the Juggalos. Peter Thiel gave a speech about "culture wars" at the RNC last night, and at the Gathering monster rock band Gwar called Hillary Clinton a "baby eater" then refereed a fight between Clinton and Donald Trump impersonators.

Critics have derided conservatives and Insane Clown Posse fans as "violent" and "dangerous." But who actually poses a great threat to American women and minorities? We asked Republicans and Juggalos their thoughts on abortion, police brutality, and trans people's right to use the bathroom they want to find out.

Advertisement

**Broadly: *Do you agree or disagree with the Republican party's platform that women should be barred from having abortions even in the case of rape or incest?***
*Williard Manning, Republican and Self-proclaimed Prophet:* I'm against abortion no matter what. Don't kill somebody just because their parents committed a crime!

Read more: The Lesbian Queen of the Juggalos Is Reinventing Beauty Standards

Many Republicans also want to pass a law that would ban trans people from using the bathroom that coordinates with their gender identity. Do you agree with that proposed law?
You ought to go to the restroom with the sex you're born with.

Does America have a police brutality problem?
A what problem? We ought to love the police. They protect us. We don't want to live in a lawless society. I love the police. We need more police.

Do you agree or disagree with the Republican party's platform that women should be barred from having abortions even in the case of rape or incest?
Chuck, Juggalo: It's women's choice, man.

Many Republicans also want to pass a law that would ban trans people from using the bathroom that coordinates with their gender identity. Do you agree with that proposed law?
Again, it's freedom of choice. What you feel what you are, then you have every right to [use the bathroom you choose]

Does America have a police brutality problem?
Absolutely. Fuck the police! There are some good cops, but for the most part they're being trained to hurt. The militarization of the police alone is forcing them to be killers. They're more military than police.

Advertisement

Do you agree or disagree with the Republican party's platform that women should be barred from having abortions even in the case of rape or incest?
Janice, Republican Delegate from Texas: That's such a controversial issue. I am proud of that stance. It's a very conservative stance. The child, the innocent life, has no choice in this matter. If adoption can be done, then that is the way to go.

For More Stories Like This, Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Many Republicans also want to pass a law that would ban trans people from using the bathroom that coordinates with their gender identity. Do you agree with that proposed law?
I do not think we need transgender bathrooms. That is utter nonsense.

Does America have a police brutality problem?
It's probably a little bit of both. I'm a a mom of a police officer there in Texas, and it really makes me nervous thinking about everything in Dallas, Baton Rouge, and all across the country. I think President Obama, from the White House, needs to call for protection of our police, support of our police, and not welcome into the White House the Black Lives Matter, who are orchestrating some of the police brutality out there. I think there is a problem, but sometimes the media exasperates it.

Do you agree or disagree with the Republican party's platform that women should be barred from having abortions even in the case of rape or incest?
Rabbit, Juggalo: It should be all your own choice. I'm pro choice. If somebody rapes me, I'm not having their baby.

Advertisement

Many Republicans also want to pass a law that would ban trans people from using the bathroom that coordinates with their gender identity. Do you agree with that proposed law?
[Gender is] a mindset, not body parts. If they feel like a woman on the inside, and they've gone through all that, let them use a fucking bathroom, please.

Does America have a police brutality problem?
It's a person problem. That would be like judging one genre off of one person. [Juggalos] would all be screwed if we all were judged off of a whole versus a person: all races, all cops, all jobs, we've all messed up along the line.

Do you agree or disagree with the Republican party's platform that women should be barred from having abortions even in the case of rape or incest?
Will, Republican Delegate from Texas: Yeah. I am happy that our national platform definitely takes a pro-life stance. With the Texas laws, it's important to point out our state platform had already done that in May.

Many Republicans also want to pass a law that would ban trans people from using the bathroom that coordinates with their gender identity. Do you agree with that proposed law?
Personally, I'm going to use the bathroom that I was assigned to. It's not an issue I've looked into a lot.

Does America have a police brutality problem?
America just has a problem with communication.

Do you agree or disagree with the Republican party's platform that women should be barred from having abortions even in the case of rape or incest?
Jessica: If they've been raped, I think they should totally [get an abortion].
Andrea: It's their opinion.
Jessica: Their opinion, yeah.

Advertisement

Many Republicans also want to pass a law that would ban trans people from using the bathroom that coordinates with their gender identity. Do you agree with that proposed law?
Jessica: If you appear as a female, go to the female [bathroom].
Andrea: As long as I don't know, I don't really care.
Jessica: As long as you don't mess with me, whatever.

Does America have a police brutality problem?
Jessica: Absolutely!
Andrea: 100 percent. 159 percent.
Jessica: Brutality is becoming such a thing. It's not only Juggalos either.
Andrea: Just imagine the shit we don't know about!

Do you agree or disagree with the Republican party's platform that women should be barred from having abortions even in the case of rape or incest?
Nelson, Republican and Street Preacher: I have seen people that were raped have babies, and those kids turn out incredible people—incredible people! I wouldn't want to tell a mom that she had to have a baby, but that's such a small percentage. We're whacked out. Can't we have some common sense?

Do you agree or disagree with the Republican party's platform that women should be barred from having abortions even in the case of rape or incest?
Tigger, Juggalo: My view is it's all on the female.
Many Republicans also want to pass a law that would ban trans people from using the bathroom that coordinates with their gender identity. Do you agree with that proposed law?
Fuck it. Be who you are!

Does America have a police brutality problem?
America has a lot of problems.