Trans History Spotlight: The Rise of Anti-Trans Movements

A Coordinated Backlash: The Gender-Critical Movement

At the heart of today’s anti-trans politics is a movement often called “gender-critical” or, more critically, trans-exclusionary radical feminism (TERFism). This ideology claims to champion women’s rights but does so by excluding trans people—especially trans women—from the very definition of “womanhood”. It frames trans identities as threats to the safety and legitimacy of cis women, focusing particularly on single-sex spaces like bathrooms and sports.

Why does this matter? These arguments often sound like they’re about protecting women, but they’re actually built on fear. They draw from old tropes of “authentic womanhood” as biologically fixed and under constant threat. This rhetoric reinforces harmful stereotypes about both cis and trans women, making trans people scapegoats in a broader cultural panic.

This isn’t new. Decades ago, similar narratives were used to exclude lesbians from feminist spaces and to attack the civil rights movement by portraying Black men as threats to white women. Today’s gender-critical movement repackages these old fears in a modern context, using trans identities as the latest target.

Here are some examples of how they frame their arguments:

• Safety in Single-Sex Spaces: A common claim is that allowing trans women access to spaces like bathrooms, shelters, or locker rooms opens the door for predatory, cisgender men to abuse these spaces under the guise of being trans. However, multiple studies show no evidence that inclusive policies increase risks in these spaces. Instead, trans people are far more likely to be victims of harassment or violence in these settings.
• Fairness in Sports: Another focal point is the argument that trans women have an unfair advantage in women’s sports due to testosterone levels or muscle mass. These claims oversimplify complex issues, ignoring the individualized and rigorous policies many sports organizations already have in place to ensure fair competition.
• Protecting Children: Gender-critical activists often target trans-affirming care for youth, labeling it as harmful or irreversible. They spread misinformation about puberty blockers (which are reversible) and gender-affirming care despite medical consensus from organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics supporting these interventions as lifesaving care for trans youth.

Real-World Examples of Gender-Critical Campaigns:

• In the UK, gender-critical activists successfully campaigned against reforms to the Gender Recognition Act (GRA) that would have made it easier for trans people to legally change their gender. They argued, without evidence, that these reforms would harm cis women by threatening the safety of single-sex spaces.
• In the U.S., groups like the Women’s Liberation Front (WoLF) have aligned with right-wing organizations to fight trans rights, including testifying in favor of anti-trans bills and collaborating with groups that oppose abortion and same-sex marriage.

These collaborations reveal a deeper strategy: gender-critical activists use seemingly feminist talking points to draw support from progressive-leaning individuals while aligning with conservative agendas to gain political power.

The Role of the Far Right

The rise of the gender-critical movement didn’t happen in isolation. It’s closely tied to the global growth of far-right ideologies. The far-right has a long history of using “gender” as a symbol of societal decay, tying it to fears of globalization, liberalism, and moral decline. In this context, trans rights are framed not as an expansion of human rights but as a dangerous ideology threatening traditional values.

This rhetoric gained momentum in the late 1990s and early 2000s, particularly in Europe and Latin America, where conservative groups launched campaigns against what they called “gender ideology.” They painted feminism, LGBTQ+ rights, and reproductive justice as tools of a corrupt elite trying to destroy family and national identity.

Here’s where it gets even more troubling: These narratives have found fertile ground in the United States, particularly among evangelical Christians and right-wing politicians. By framing trans rights as a threat to women and children, they’ve built a powerful coalition that spans religious, conservative, and even some feminist spaces.

While gender-critical activists often claim to operate independently of right-wing politics, their messages frequently overlap with—and are amplified by—the far right. This alignment isn’t accidental. Far-right groups and politicians have long weaponized gender and sexuality to rally their base, painting any deviation from traditional gender roles as a threat to societal stability.

Examples of Far-Right Anti-Gender Campaigns:

• Eastern Europe: In Poland and Hungary, far-right leaders have promoted “family values” policies while passing laws that strip trans people of legal recognition. Poland’s ruling Law and Justice Party (PiS) declared “LGBT ideology” a threat to national identity, banning Pride events in several cities and passing resolutions against “gender ideology.”
• Latin America: Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro openly attacked “gender ideology,” calling it a threat to children and family values. His administration sought to roll back LGBTQ+ rights and cut funding to programs supporting gender equality.
• United States: The Heritage Foundation, a powerful conservative think tank, has been instrumental in shaping anti-trans legislation across the U.S. Their campaigns often draw on the same language as gender-critical activists, portraying trans inclusion as a danger to women and children.

What ties these movements together is a shared strategy: creating moral panics. Whether it’s claiming that trans women are predators or that trans-affirming care for youth is “child abuse,” these narratives rely on a fear-based response to gain traction. They appeal to deep-seated anxieties about change and instability, positioning trans people as scapegoats for broader societal challenges.

The alignment between gender-critical ideologies and the far right has real-world consequences. By working together, these groups have been able to pass laws, shape public opinion, and create a hostile environment for trans people worldwide. Understanding this coordination is key to resisting it. The more we can expose the connections between these movements, the harder it becomes for them to operate under the guise of protecting women or preserving family values.

Trump’s America: A Perfect Storm

Under Trump’s first presidency, anti-trans rhetoric moved from fringe blogs, forums, and right-wing influencers into mainstream politics. In 2018, for example, the Department of Health and Human Services proposed redefining gender as strictly biological and immutable. This wasn’t just about policy; it was a signal to conservative voters that the administration was committed to rolling back progressive gains.

The second Trump presidency has only deepened this trend. Anti-trans bills have flooded state legislatures, targeting everything from healthcare access to participation in sports. These laws often borrow directly from gender-critical arguments, using the language of “protecting children” and “saving women’s spaces.” But make no mistake—these policies aren’t about safety. They’re about power: controlling who gets to exist publicly and who doesn’t.

Why This Moment Feels Different

If you’re feeling the weight of this moment, you’re not alone. This isn’t just a backlash; it’s a full-fledged cultural war, and trans people are at its center. But why now? Several factors have converged to create this perfect storm:

1. Visibility: Over the past decade, trans visibility has skyrocketed. From media representation to public policy debates, trans people are more visible than ever. While this visibility is crucial, it also makes the community a bigger target for those who see progress as a threat.
2. Intersection with Feminism: Gender-critical feminists have successfully aligned their messaging with conservative talking points, creating a powerful narrative that casts trans rights as anti-feminist. This has drawn in a wide range of supporters, from evangelical Christians to even some mainstream liberals.
3. Social Media Amplification: Platforms like Twitter and YouTube have given anti-trans activists a global stage. They’ve used these tools to spread misinformation and build international networks, making their messages more coordinated and far-reaching.
4. Political Polarization: In a deeply divided America, trans rights have become a lightning rod issue. For the right, attacking trans people energizes their base. For the left, defending trans rights has become a litmus test for progressivism. This polarization often leaves little room for nuanced discussion.

What’s at Stake?

The stakes couldn’t be higher. At its core, the fight against trans rights is about more than bathrooms or sports. It’s about whether society will accept a future where gender and identity are understood as diverse and fluid—or retreat into a rigid binary that leaves millions of people on the margins. For trans people, these policies aren’t just ideas. They affect whether you can access healthcare, find safe housing, or even just exist in public without fear. But this isn’t just a trans issue. The same forces attacking trans rights are also going after reproductive justice, racial equality, and LGBTQ+ rights more broadly. It’s all connected.

A Call to Hope

It’s easy to feel despair in moments like this. The challenges are real, and the opposition is formidable. But history shows us that progress is possible, even in the face of intense resistance. Every right the LGBTQ+ community has today was fought for—and won—by people who refused to give up.

As we face this new wave of anti-trans rhetoric and legislation, remember: You are not alone. The trans community is resilient, creative, and strong. Together, we can push back against these forces and build a future where everyone can live with dignity and authenticity.

Stay hopeful, stay informed, and stay in the fight. The future belongs to all of us.