The anti-gender movement, a global force opposing LGBTQ+ rights, has its origins in the pro-family movement that emerged in the United States during the second half of the 20th century. This movement arose as a form of resistance to feminism, the legalization of abortion, and the proposed Equal Rights Amendment, which sought to guarantee equality regardless of sex.
Historical Roots in the United States
According to Savitha Karthik, the pro-family movement crystallized in the 1970s and 1980s, mobilizing conservative religious groups against what they perceived as threats to traditional family structures. Key targets included the feminist push for reproductive rights and the Equal Rights Amendment, which ultimately failed to be ratified by enough states. This coalition laid the groundwork for what scholars now call the anti-gender movement.
Global Expansion and Tactics
By the early 2000s, the movement had spread beyond the US, gaining traction in Europe, Latin America, and Africa. Organizations such as the World Congress of Families and the European Dignity Watch promoted narratives that gender ideology was a form of neo-colonialism. Activists framed LGBTQ+ rights as a foreign imposition, using rhetoric of protecting children and national sovereignty. A 2023 report by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) documented over 70 countries where anti-gender groups have influenced policy, including bans on same-sex marriage and restrictions on gender-affirming care.
Impact on Policy and Society
The movement's impact is measurable: as of 2025, 64 countries criminalize same-sex relations, and at least 20 have passed laws restricting transgender rights. In the US, state-level legislation targeting transgender youth has surged, with over 500 bills introduced since 2020. According to the Human Rights Campaign, 2024 saw a record 45 anti-LGBTQ+ laws enacted. The movement has also fueled violence, with hate crimes against LGBTQ+ individuals rising by 30% in some regions, per the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
Resistance and Counter-Movements
In response, LGBTQ+ advocates and human rights organizations have intensified efforts to counter the anti-gender narrative. The United Nations Free & Equal campaign has documented the movement's strategies, urging governments to protect vulnerable groups. As noted by the International Commission of Jurists, the anti-gender movement poses a serious threat to international human rights standards.
