It is possible to navigate this era of misinformation and false narratives with the right tools, strategies and collective action. At GATE, our work has become intimately linked with countering anti-gender movements, and our experiences have taught us that this work must be done in partnership with our communities and allies in order to be effective.
Worldwide, trans identities are being debated, and our rights and freedoms are being restricted. Political scapegoating is driving misinformation and false narratives on trans issues and leading to a rollback on the rights for all marginalized groups under the form of ‘protectionism’. Authoritarian governments and anti-gender movements are undermining democracy, creating division and dictating how citizens can live their lives, all in the name of ‘protecting family and cultural values’. These rollbacks on rights are being driven by anti-gender and anti-rights movements. While it is true that these tactics have impacted the availability of international funding for social justice and human rights organizations such as GATE, our communities are not giving up. We are organizing collectively, getting creative in diversifying financial resources and becoming more resilient.
We are proud of GATE’s role in building that resilience, and of our communities’ capacity to stand together and unite in these difficult times. However, we need the support of our allies and partners if we are to turn the tide on anti-gender extremism.
Here is how you can help!
1. Learn more about our communities.
Education is one of the most powerful antidotes to disinformation. Many people worldwide are under the misapprehension that trans people are a recent phenomenon. In fact, we have been an integral part of society for thousands of years. You can learn more about trans communities and inform yourself of the challenges that we face on a daily basis in our Trans and Gender Diverse 101 Course. This short training, which is suitable for individuals and organizations alike, provides useful tips on how to make trans inclusion tangible.
2. Adapt your communication strategies to counter anti-gender extremism.
Lately, many organizations have been facing unprecedented attacks from anti-gender movements. In 2022, GATE was one of the targets of such attacks that challenged us to adapt our communication strategies to deal with the crisis. We compiled our learnings from this experience into a crisis communications toolkit. Turning the Tide provides strategies for understanding and effectively responding to the growing influence of and attacks from anti-gender movements worldwide. Although developed for our communities, it is also relevant for allies. We need your support in countering anti-gender messaging. By using and sharing this resource, you can strengthen global narratives about trans communities and support our efforts in countering misinformation.
3. Keep our communities safe.
To keep our communities safe, we need our allies to support us in acting preemptively. Provide trans organizations with flexible funding and donate directly to trans-led organizations. Support our communities by exposing these movements. GATE’s resource Recognizing, Documenting and Addressing Anti-Gender Opposition provides a starting point for mapping and countering anti-gender movements. We have also compiled a series of recommendations to tackle anti-gender opposition impacting trans communities, containing recommendations for donors and allies who wish to support, partner with and fund community-led responses to advance equality.
The lives of everyone who resists systems of oppression and fights for a just, equal and inclusive world are at risk. It is time to effectively protect us and the services we all access.
The message is clear.
Countering anti-rights movements and misinformation, protecting human rights activists and advancing rights for everyone requires community leadership and sustained solidarity.
Anti-rights movements have well-coordinated strategies aimed at erasing our rights, but we believe that our collective commitment to justice and protecting one another’s lives is stronger!
Your support plays a crucial role in ensuring our trans and gender diverse communities are well-equipped to face these challenges on the ground.
