Abstract
Over the past decade, anti-gender mobilizations have developed into a significant transnational phenomenon, bringing together diverse actors across ideological and political spectrums. Central to their discourse, the idea of "gender ideology" functions as a symbolic and emotionally charged construct, effectively amplifying moral panics, exacerbating epistemic crises, and fueling broader cultural conflicts.
The lecture explores the knowledge produced within this growing field of study, highlighting key theoretical tools and concepts developed to understand these mobilizations. It also identifies gaps in our understanding of their causes, successes, and the broader factors driving their appeal.
Additionally, the lecture addresses the challenges of responding to these movements, showcasing how feminist and LGBT+ movements have shifted from defensive reactions to proactive strategies of "productive resistance."
By synthesizing insights from research and activism, this keynote reflects on the broader implications of anti-gender mobilizations for gender equality and democratic values, emphasizing the importance of informed and collective responses.
Bio
Roman Kuhar is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Ljubljana. His research focuses on discrimination, human rights, citizenship, LGBTQ+ issues, and equality policies. He co-edited Anti-Gender Campaigns in Europe (2017, with D. Paternotte), which received the Excellent in Science Award from the Slovenian Research Agency in 2018. He currently leads the sociology research unit and serves as the President of the Slovenian Sociological Association.
The SKY Advanced Research Seminar is an open advanced seminar focused on interdisciplinary gender studies. The seminar is organized as part of the doctoral programme of Gender, Culture and Society (SKY) by Gender Studies, University of Helsinki, and in 2024-2025 it is chaired by docent Julian Honkasalo. The seminar is open to everyone wishing to attend.
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