Anti-gender movement

The anti-gender movement is a global phenomenon that opposes concepts often referred to as "gender ideology" or "gender theory". These loosely-defined terms are commonly used by the movement to critique a range of issues related to gender equality, LGBT rights, and gender studies. The movement has drawn support from right-wing populist groups, conservative religious organizations, and social conservatives and the far-right worldwide. It views advances in gender inclusion and LGBT rights as threats to traditional family structures, religious values, and established social norms.

The movement has been criticized for promoting discrimination and undermining human rights protections, particularly those concerning individuals with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations. Critics argue that it employs misinformation to delegitimize efforts toward gender inclusion and has been described as a form of moral panic or conspiracy theory.

The movement derives from Catholic theology and can be dated to the late 20th century, but the protests that brought the movement to attention did not start until around 2012.^[1] Operating on a transnational scale, the anti-gender movement employs strategies such as public protests, and legislative initiatives to resist policies promoting gender equality and LGBT inclusion. Its opposition targets various domains, including reproductive rights, government-led gender policies, gender mainstreaming, and academic disciplines like gender studies. While some elements within the movement focus specifically on opposing certain LGBT rights, others address broader concerns about gender-related social changes.