On “Domestic Terrorism” and “traditional American views on family.”
This is an absurd thing to have to say, but here we are: OPEN is not a Domestic Terrorist Organization.
Last week, the White House issued a memorandum titled "Countering Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence." We were disturbed to find, among the list of views the regime alleges are used to "justify and encourage acts of violent revolution," the following: "hostility towards those who hold traditional American views on family."
Let me be clear up front: OPEN and the non-monogamous community are not yet in the regime's crosshairs. Their attacks are focused on trans individuals, those speaking out against the genocide in Palestine, and—most aggressively—migrants and immigrants.
Our movement has, thus far, flown under their radar. But we'd be foolish to ignore the warning signs.
The first clear signal came when Project 2025 listed, first among its foundational "promises," to "restore the family to the centerpiece of American life." By family, they mean cisgender, heterosexual, married parents with their own biological children (and, from the regime's point of view, preferably white).
Now, this memorandum goes one step further by outlining a legal theory that sets the stage for future enforcement.
Let us be absolutely clear: OPEN is not, in any way, hostile toward those who hold traditional views about family.
From the start, we've expressed core organizational principles that make it clear we are not anti-monogamy, let alone anti-family. We simply believe that people should be free to choose what family and relationship look like for them. In fact, we're explicitly pro-family by recognizing the myriad forms that families actually take.
But none of that matters to those who would portray us as extremists. The modern conservative movement has always hidden behind the lie that advocating for minority rights represents an attack on normative, mainstream identities and institutions.
We heard it when we were told that marriage equality would "undermine" traditional marriage. We hear it today when trans rights are framed as an "attack" on women's rights, or DEI initiatives are portrayed as “anti-white.”
In this frankly frightening time, here's what we're asking:
First and foremost, if you have the capacity to give, prioritize local, community-led groups doing immigrant defense, fighting for LGBTQ+ rights, and supporting the most vulnerable among us. Those communities are under direct attack right now, and they need resources immediately.
If you're still in a position to support OPEN's work after that, we would be deeply grateful. Your contribution will help us:
Build movement and community power to ensure we have the infrastructure to sustain and defend our movement against attacks
Maintain resources for potential legal defense, protection against doxxing, cyberattacks, and other threats to our organization and team.
Invest in organizing capacity to mobilize the non-monogamous community to show up for our marginalized neighbors in this time of growing attack
This is about more than just protecting ourselves. It's about building the kind of resilient, interconnected movement that can fight not only for our own rights and protections, but also stand in solidarity with everyone under attack by this authoritarian regime.
We're not waiting to see if they come for us. We're preparing. We're organizing. And we're showing up for the communities already in the line of fire.
If you can contribute to OPEN's work, you can do so on our new donation page: https://www.open-love.org/donate
In solidarity and with determination,
Brett Chamberlin
Executive Director, OPEN
