Anti-Transideology Structural Blueprint
In recent years, a well-funded and organized effort to erode the rights of trans and gender diverse individuals has emerged. This movement, which is a significant threat not just to the trans community but also to the freedom and equality of all people and our democracy, is composed of three main wings: the TERF and Bio-Essentialist Wing, the Far-Right and Conspiracy Wing, and the Disinformation and Conversion Wing.
The TERF wing aims to create a legal distinction between transgender and cisgender women and exclude trans women from women-only spaces. They believe in the primacy of "sex-based rights" and that trans people pose an existential threat to women's rights. This wing is also being used by the far-right to disrupt feminist organizing by dividing movements for gender equality.
The Far-Right wing, on the other hand, is mobilizing opposition to trans rights for strategic reasons to win political and cultural power. They often collaborate with religious extremist networks and anti-gender service organizations, partially financing the anti-trans movement. These groups promote alternatives to sexual and reproductive health policies while receiving public funds in some cases.
The Disinformation and Conversion Wing aims to institutionalize anti-trans conversion practices as the primary model of care for trans and gender diverse people. They intentionally conflate the accurate meaning of 'grooming' with teaching children about sexuality, gender diversity, and healthy relationships. Some disinformation groups are working to build support for 'gender exploratory therapy', which has been widely criticized by the trans community as lacking credible evidence and potentially being an anti-trans conversion practice.
The attacks on the trans community are being used as a gateway to attacking the rights of the broader LGBTIQ+ community, reproductive rights, and undermining our democracy through the use of organized disinformation campaigns. Hundreds of anti-trans bills have been tabled across states in the US, and a number of LGBTQIA+ events have been shut down in Australia over the last year due to violent threats from groups that claim to be 'saving children'.
Organisations like Gays Against Groomers regularly mobilize their supporters to attack institutions, events, or individuals that support the LGBTQIA+ community or are LGBTQIA+ themselves. Previously 'ex-gay' organisations have re-focused towards anti-trans disinformation.
Groups like Genspect have worked to oppose bans on anti-trans conversion practices in New Zealand, Canada, and the UK. Anti-trans disinformation groups, like Science for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine, have proliferated since 2021. Over 2600 emails from anti-trans organisations in the US have been leaked, revealing collaboration on anti-trans legislation as far back as 2019.
The extremist agenda of the anti-trans movement poses a real and present danger to the rights, protections, and legal recognition of trans and gender diverse people, including the banning of gender-affirming health care. It is crucial that we remain vigilant and continue to advocate for the rights and well-being of all members of the trans and gender diverse community.
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