Fostering Queer Feminist Intersectional Resistances against Transnational Anti-Gender Politics
In April 2025, Prof. Kath Browne was part of a plenary session to discuss the findings of RESIST, on a panel with EL*C Advocacy Director Ilaria Todde, and Italian trans activist Eva Sassi Croce, under 4 key questions:
What is ‘anti-gender’?
How is it working in Europe?
What are the impacts of ‘anti-gender’ mobilisations?
What are the resistances?
If you are interested in the answer to these questions, read on to find out more…
Fostering Queer-Feminist Resistances Against ‘Anti-Gender’ Politics in Europe
RESIST examines how ‘anti-gender’ politics—those perpetuating patriarchy, heteronormativity, xenophobia, racism, and ableism—impact lives across Europe. More importantly, we explore how communities, organisations, and policymakers can push back to create a more inclusive and diverse society.
In this blog, we look back on the two first years of the EU Horizon-funded project RESIST: Fostering Queer Feminist Intersectional Resistances against Transnational ‘Anti-Gender’ Politics, sharing insights about creating impact within and beyond academia.
Here’s what we achieved so far…
What is ‘anti-gender’ politics?
From the comments section on the Internet to the halls of power where political decisions are made, ‘anti-gender’ actors question the validity of gender and sexual diversity—or, even more broadly, any kind of diversity. Sexism, misogyny, homophobia, and transphobia are mustered by the same actors that mobilise racism, ableism, and anti-immigrant sentiments.
Anti-gender’ mobilisations imperil gender and sexual equality, the inclusion of trans* and nonbinary people, multiculturalism, and academic freedoms.
‘Anti-gender’ politics is a complex phenomenon, present across Europe and spanning from illiberal and authoritarian regimes to those considered liberal and democratic. Studying such a complex issue requires an equally intricate, well-executed research project.