Countering anti-gender movement opposition to trans, gender diverse and intersex (TDGI) communities
The anti-gender movement is an international movement which opposes what it refers to as gender ideology, gender theory, or genderism (Kováts, Eszter, 2016).
GATE is focused on increasing the capacity of trans, gender diverse and intersex communities to respond to anti-gender movements operating at the international, regional and national levels. Across the globe, trans, gender diverse and intersex (TDGI) people are being targeted by anti-gender movements operating at the social, political and institutional level. These movements are trying to restrict or deny access to human rights, including autonomy and self-determination, depathologization, mental and bodily integrity, legal gender recognition and gender affirming healthcare, informed consent, sanitation, and freedom from discrimination and torture.
Our analysis shows that the anti-gender movements are growing in power and geographical reach, and becoming more successful in pushing back against the hard-won gains by the LGBTIQ+ communities. This is an ongoing area of work that encompasses building the capacity of TGDI movements to respond effectively to the opposition from the anti-gender movements.
If you are interested in funding GATE’s work in this area, or collaborating with us on a project, please contact us at info@gate.ngo.
Calls for participation
GATE often seeks input and participation from trans and gender diverse community members, as well as providing support for engaging with UN bodies and processes. We are interested in highlighting the opposition that trans and gender diverse people face from anti-gender groups and engaging in strategic collaboration to advocate for specific recommendations regarding this issue. Information relating to these opportunities are listed below.
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Homophobia and Transphobia are a Public Health Crisis
Sign on to join GATE and MPact in calling on public health officials and government leaders to declare homophobia and transphobia a public health crisis.
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Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill linked to global anti-gender movement
GATE launches #StopHate #TDoV campaign to demand safer online environments for trans and gender diverse people
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An Affirmation of Feminist Principles: Sign on the statement
Women, feminist, LGBTIQ+, and trans-led organizations have come together to reaffirm core feminist principles – sign on now!
Resources
Anti-gender movements generate tremendous challenges for LGBTIQ+ and gender equality campaigners. They have demonstrated capacity to mobilize broad public support against legal and policy reform on priority issues for LGBTIQ+ and feminist campaigners, including same-sex partnerships, Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), abortion rights, and trans rights. They have also demonstrated significant power to set political agendas and frame societal developments. These resources provide a starting point to mapping and countering anti-gender movements.
Publications
Drawing upon international human rights laws and policies to build a comprehensive strategy to protecting trans, gender diverse and intersex communities, these publications are designed to be used by our community members and allies to inform and build upon their work in countering anti-gender movements.
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Impact of Human Rights Mechanisms on Trans Rights
GATE’s report The Impact of Regional and International Human Rights Mechanisms on Trans Rights: A Review discusses how different regional and international human rights mechanisms are dealing with gender identity-related issues.
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The Impact of Anti-Gender Opposition: Global and Regional Reports
GATE has published 8 global Reports on Anti-gender Opposition and the Impact in TGD and LGBTQ Movements
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De-democratization, Gender+ and Exclusion Policies in Europe Conference
In July 2022, GATE’s gender movement program officer participated in the conference “De-democratization, Gender + and Exclusion Policies in Europe“, in Seville, Spain. The conference was attended by scholars from various disciplines and activists working in the field. The aim of this conference was to create synergies between the academic world and civil society, focusing… Read More »De-democratization, Gender+ and Exclusion Policies in Europe Conference
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Report: Mapping Anti-Gender Movements in the UK
We’re delighted to share our new report on anti-gender mobilizing in the UK and its impact on trans and gender diverse people.
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Anti-gender mobilizing: Global and Regional Conversations
GATE’s Report on anti-gender mobilizing features contributions from transnational activists engaging in collaborative approaches.
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Trans Rights are Human Rights – document for policymakers
This resource is designed for policymakers and activists seeking to improve their ability to argue in favour of trans human rights.
Videos
Gender Ideology – what is it?
October 2, 2020
This video provides an overview of what gender ideology is and how it is being used by anti-gender movements as a tool to oppress the human rights of trans and gender diverse communities.
LGBTI and Feminist Movements: Pushing back on the Pushback
November 6, 2020
This event was held as part of the 26th Scientific Symposium under the topic of Law, Policy, and Ethics, focusing on the rights of trans and gender diverse people under attack as a result of anti-gender movements, gender ideology and the repathologization of our communities.
Building Collective Resistance: a trans conversation on anti-gender movements
December 15, 2020
This virtual conversation exposes and shares the analysis of the current situation regarding protection of the human rights of trans and gender diverse communities, maps ongoing conflicts faced from the anti-gender movements, and identifies opportunities for solidarity and resistance.
Construyendo la resistencia colectiva: una conversación trans sobre movimientos anti-género
December 16, 2020
Esta conversación virtual expone y comparte el análisis de la situación actual con respecto a la protección de los derechos humanos de las comunidades trans y de género diverso, mapea los conflictos en curso que enfrentan los movimientos antigénero e identifica oportunidades para la solidaridad y la resistencia.
Trans People’s Human Rights Under Attack – WPATH 2020 Mini Symposia
November 17, 2021
This global, diverse, cross-regional event discusses the conclusions of the IE SOGI’s two reports on gender, bringing together state representatives and civil society members to speak to the challenges and opportunities created by the crises we face today, and to share reflections on the importance of inclusive and intersectional feminist LGBTI mobilization.
Challenges, Impact, Opportunities: Global anti-gender mobilizing
April 26, 2022
The first of two webinar in discussion with global activists on the impact of anti-gender mobilizing on trans and gender diverse activism at the international level, the challenges posed by these groups, as well as new opportunities for TGD activists planning international advocacy efforts.
Comparative analysis of regional anti-gender mobilizing & trans and gender diverse activism
April 28, 2022
The second of two webinars, focusing on regional anti-gender mobilizing against trans and gender diverse activism, the challenges posed by these groups, as well as new opportunities for TGD activists in planning cross-regional advocacy efforts.
Anti-Gender Opposition to trans and gender diverse (TGD) rights in Asia-Pacific Region
November 2, 2022
Discussion on the impact of anti-gender mobilizing on trans and gender diverse activism in the Asia-Pacific region, the challenges posed by these groups as well as new opportunities for TGD activists.
Articles
There is a lack of comprehensive insight on how the anti-gender movement is impacting the lives of trans and gender diverse people across the globe. These articles provide an attempt to bridge that gap with opinion pieces written by trans and gender diverse people, creating a space to foster critical dialogue, encouraging the sharing of knowledge/experience/best practices to support one another’s work, and providing an opportunity to raise awareness on some of the issues that might have been overlooked in existing discussions.
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Implementing Strategies of Trans Liberation for Systemic Change
Levan Berianidze writes about implementing strategies for trans liberation in line with systemic change
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Responding to anti-gender mobilization in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Kot writes about responding anti-gender mobilization in the EECA region
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Anti-gender mobilization and its potential in Irish society
Luc O’Leary describes the conditions of anti-gender mobilization in Ireland
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Trans Liberation: Strategies for Systemic Change beyond Carceral Activism
This article written by Leavn Berieanidze explores activist strategies that critically analyze transphobia and white cis-hetero-patriarchy and how these are reproduced, with a focus on transforming these institutions, have a greater potential to bring about desired systemic and sustainable change than enacting hate crime legislation.
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Trans and gender diverse activism in relation to anti-gender opposition: A SouthEast Asia Perspective
Abhina Aher describes the strategies of anti-gender movements in India.
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The anti-gender movement in Uganda: A critical analysis of its impact on trans and gender diverse persons
Jay Mulucha writes about the impact on the anti-gender movement in Uganda.
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Discursos de odio y violencia hacia las personas trans en Paraguay
Yren Rotela, activista trans paraguaya y fundadora de Casa Diversa, reflexiona sobre el conservadurismo religioso en el Sur, las políticas estatales y cómo las personas trans de fé encuentran espacios afirmativos
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Sex or gender? Just mind the line…
Written by Mauro Cabral Grinspan, Executive Director of GATE Sex and gender are two quite different words. Their meanings are quite different. The line that exists between them is there to remind us of that difference and, in some cases, of the contradiction and even opposition between them. However, that the line is also needed… Read More »Sex or gender? Just mind the line…
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What if someone says “I am Napoleon?” On trans people and self-determination
Written by Mauro Cabral Grinspan, Executive Director of GATE “What if someone says I am Napoleon?” This and other similar questions were publicly asked by Argentinian legislators back in 2012 when they were discussing the proposed Gender Recognition Law. It wasn’t a new concern: psycho-medical and legal experts in the country had been asking the… Read More »What if someone says “I am Napoleon?” On trans people and self-determination
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Self-Identification is Not a Matter of Belief
Written by Mauro Cabral Grinspan, Executive Director of GATE Something happened yesterday at the IDAHOT Forum 2021. More precisely, at the “High Level Ministerial Panel on LGBTI+ Rights Across Europe”. When asked about the process on the Gender Equality Act, the UK representative, Kemi Badenoch, responded: “we don’t believe in self-identification”. Coming from the UK… Read More »Self-Identification is Not a Matter of Belief
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We Are Family – Patrick Braila, ACCEPT Romania
Patrick Braila is a trans activist and film director living in Bucharest, the capital city of Romania. Since 2013, he’s been working on building and strengthening the trans community in Romania.
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A Silver Lining for the Trans Movement in India
Abhina Aher is a trans activist working with India HIV/AIDS Alliance as Associate Director on the Sexuality, Gender and Rights Project, working particularly with key populations including men who have sex with men, transgender women and women in sex work.
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Gender Minorities in New Zealand
Jack is a trans masculine activist and human rights researcher from Aotearoa (New Zealand). Jack’s trans activism has focused on the right to health, depathologisation, and legal gender recognition.
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Trans in Chile
Michel Riquelme, Executive Coordinator of OTD “Organizing Trans Diversity” Association Chile writes about the situation for trans people in Chile