Study examines the impact of anti-gender policies on those affected

- EN - DE- FR- IT

How does the increasingly heated public discourse on feminist and LGBTIQ+ issues affect individuals and communities in everyday life? What difficulties do they face in Germany and how do they confront them? The Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts investigated these questions as part of the European Horizon project RESIST.

In the Horizon Study RESIST, teams in various countries investigated what anti-gender policies look like in different countries. These policies include efforts aimed at restricting sexual and gender diversity as well as gender equality. The researchers also used qualitative interviews to investigate how anti-gender policies affect feminist and LGBTIQ+ individuals and communities. The interviews also reveal reactions and opportunities for resistance. Stefanie Boulila, Head of Studies at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, and her team investigated the situation in Germany.

Systematic dissemination of anti-gender positions

In Germany, the rise of right-wing positions - particularly the AfD - has influenced public discourse; there has been a shift in which statements are tolerated and the methods used to enforce socio-political views have also changed. Feminist and LGBTIQ+ people and communities are among the groups that have felt this particularly keenly. For example, the AfD systematically targets educational initiatives that focus on LGBTIQ+ issues or anti-feminism with parliamentary questions at state level. The study participants also reported a hostile focus on trans* people in the course of the debate on the Self-Determination Act. Several of the people interviewed in the study expressed concern about this.

The public discourse has intensified

All interviewees agree on one point: public discourse on feminist and LGBTIQ+ issues is particularly important right now. If only because they see ignorance as a trigger for anti-feminist and queer-hostile policies. The respondents are convinced that public dialog is important in order to involve the wider society in controversial issues. And so many are also willing to engage in political education, democratic dialog and positive visibility. However, their experiences have made some of them think twice about public engagement. Because taking a stand in the current discourse also entails the risk that the reactions will not only be aimed at the position, but also directly at the person. Several of the interviewees have already experienced this. Some of them have been aggressively threatened, from online bullying and media campaigns to the organized disruption of events, threats and physical violence. At least one participant needed police protection as a result. Those affected reported that they usually had to rely on private resources to deal with the consequences of the attacks, even if they experienced the assaults in the context of their paid work. This was because they felt left alone by the institutions in which they work and on whose behalf they sometimes speak out in the event of anti-feminist and anti-queer attacks, as there were no procedures in place to deal with such attacks.

Multiple marginalized people are affected in multiple ways

Study participants who have experienced racism, are disabled or identify as trans*, inter* or lesbian noted that they also experience increasing hostility towards the inclusion of people with disabilities and towards anti-racism. This leads to those affected feeling increasingly helpless and stressed, which affects the mental health of some. For participants with disabilities in particular, the experience of physical attacks and the fear of further assaults restrict their mobility because they avoid public transport, for example.

Countermeasure: solidarity and support from like-minded people

Several participants spoke of the relief of having a community in which their identities, experiences and values are not up for debate and in which they are not confronted with invisibilization and erasure. Cooperation, coalition-building and solidarity within the queer community and with other marginalized groups were seen by the interviewees as a form of resistance and a helpful strategy. In professional contexts, sharing resources strengthens resilience. The participants emphasized the role of informal, cross-institutional networks and coalitions. They also spoke about the risk of divisions within the community, which often arise in the context of multiple marginalizations or isolated, underrepresented groups. A policy of solidarity with other minorities who are restricted in their self-determination, such as migrants, people of color or people with disabilities, was considered desirable by the interviewees.

The Horizon Project RESIST

The project is being carried out by the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts in collaboration with University College Dublin, Edinburgh Napier University, European University Viadrina, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Université de Lausanne, Université de Fribourg, Maynooth University, Universitat Pompeu Fabra and the Feminist Autonomous Centre for Research, Athens.

The case study report is based on qualitative data and information from a total of 254 feminist and LGBTIQ+ activists, public intellectuals and members of the general public. In 104 interviews and 36 focus groups across Europe, their personal experiences with queerphobia, antifeminism, rejection of abortion, rejection of sex work, sexualized and gender-specific racism and other forms of multiple discrimination were examined.

The study for Germany is based on the information provided by 24 research participants; its results were confirmed by the overall study.