Global Philanthropy Project shares here a collection of resources developed to support grantmakers active globally in response to “anti-gender ideology” and related anti-rights agendas. Please share additional resources with us at info@globalphilanthropyproject.org.
What is “anti-Gender Ideology”?
“The phrase is neither a legitimate academic term, nor a political movement. It is a theory drummed up by hard-right religious activists, who present it as a gay- and feminist-led movement out to upend the traditional family and the natural order of society. It’s a catchall phrase to sell a false narrative and justify discrimination against women and LGBT people. And it is winning elections.”— (The Guardian, 2018)

Global Philanthropy Project (GPP) and co-sponsoring partners are now organizing the Shimmering Solidarity: Global Rights Summit. This event is a four-month virtual series, in March-June 2021, focused on grantmaker responses to the “anti-gender” movement and related global anti-rights agendas. The Global Rights Summit is an opportunity for grantmakers, philanthropic networks, and aligned colleagues to build shared analysis around anti-rights attacks and strategize towards multi-sectoral progressive philanthropic responses. Learn More…
Anti LGBTI Faith Organizing
- Revealed: $280m ‘dark money’ spent by US Christian right groups globally (OpenDemocracy, 2020)
- ‘Agenda Europe’: an extremist Christian network in the heart of Europe (Heinrich Böll Stiftung, 2019)
- Restoring the Natural Order; The regligious extremists’ vision to mobilize European societies against human rights on sexuality and reproduction (European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development, 2018)
- Modern-Day Crusaders in Europe. Tradition, Family and Property: Analysis of a Transnational, Ultra-Conservative, Catholic-Inspired Influence Network (Neil Datta, 2018)
- Onward, Christian soldiers: Right-wing religious nationalists launch dramatic new power play (Salon, 2018)
- “Project Blitz” Seeks to do for Christian Nationalism what ALEC does for Big Business (Religion Dispatches, 2018)
- In Bad Faith: How Conservatives Are Weaponizing “Religious Liberty” to Allow Institutions to Discriminate (Guttmacher Institute, 2018)
- The Observatory on the Universality of Rights (OURs) Platform and Rights at Risk: OURs Trends Report 2017 (AWID, 2017)
- When Exemption is the Rule: The Religious Freedom Strategy of the Christian Right (PRA, 2016)
LGBTI Affirming Organizing
- Covering Sexual and Gender Minorities & Religion in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Reporting Guide for Journalists (Heinrich Boell Foundation Southern Africa, 2017)
- Faith Mapping Networks and Migration Report (Migration Exchange, 2017)
- Silent No Longer: Narratives of Engagement between LGBTI groups and the churches in southern Africa (The Other Foundation, 2017)
- When Faith Does Violence – re-imagining engagement between churches and LGBTI groups on homophobia in Africa (The Other Foundation, 2016)
- Faith Efforts at the UN to Advance Human Rights Relating to Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Intersex Status (Arcus Foundation, 2015)
- Report on Methodology, Challenges & Opportunities in the work of Inclusive & Affirming Ministries (IAM) 2009-2014 (GIN, 2015)
- A mapping on sexuality, human rights and the role of religious leaders: exploring the potential for dialogue (Hivos, 2014)
- Traditional values, religion and LGBT rights in Eastern Europe (European Forum of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Christian Groups, 2014)
- Resisting Fundamentalism: Feminist Responses from India (AJWS, 2013)
- The Global Export of Homophobia by the U.S. Religious Right: 2012 Human Rights Campaign Equality Forum, Draft Report (OSF, Human Rights Campaign, Global Equality Forum, 2012)
- Profile, World Congress of Families (SPLC)
- American-led ‘pro-family’ summit in Ghana condemned for ‘shocking’ white supremacist, Islamophobic links (Open Democracy, 2019)
- Verona protests: Tens of thousands of campaigners march against ‘medieval’ anti-LGBT+ and anti-abortion conference (Independent, 2019)
- City of love? Christian right congress in Verona divides Italy (The Guardian, 2019)
- Anti LGBT Hate Group World Congress of Families to Convene in Verona (SPLC, 2019)
- WCF Budapest gathering(SPLC, 2017)
- WCF Budapest gathering, notes SPLC hate group designation (The Guardian, 2017)
- WCF Tbilisi Gathering (SPLC, 2016)
- World Congress of Families Gathering in Tbilisi Showcases Anti-LGBT Rhetoric and Conspiracy Theories (SPLC, 2016)
- WCF’s ties to Russian Orthodox Church, Russian funders, and European Nationalism Parties and Figures (SPLC, 2018)
- WCF Nairobi Gathering (SPLC, 2016)
- Brian Brown named president of WCF (SPLC, 2016)
- WCF parent organization changes its name(SPLC, 2016)
- Political Research Associates on 17 years of tracking the WCF (PRA, 2017)
- PRA on the weaponization of “natural family” (PRA, 2015)
- Exposed: The World Conference of Families (HRC, 2015)
- PRA on how “demographic winter” is weaponized to curtail reproductive rights and LGBTQI rights (PRA, 2014)
- The World Congress of Families’ Russian Network (Mother Jones, 2014)
- How US evangelicals helped create Russia’s anti-LGBT movement (Mother Jones, 2014)
- Did Anti-Gay Evangelicals Skirt US Sanctions on Russia? (Mother Jones, 2014)
- Anti-Gender Campaigns in Europe Mobilizing against Equality. ed. Kuhar, R., Paternotte, D. 2017, Rowman & Littlefield International Ltd., UK.
- Crossing The Threshold the story of Marriage Equality in Ireland. ed. G Healy, 2017, Merrion Press, Ireland.
- Ireland Says Yes: The story of how the Yes was won, Healy, G., Sheehan, B., Whelan, N. 2016, Merrion Press, Ireland.
- Countering Backlash: Reclaiming Gender Justice
- Network Analysis of Anti Abortion Movement
- Webiste: Be the Narrative: How changing the narrative could revolutionize what it means to do human rights (Just Labs, 2019)
- Website re: investigative journalism focused on exposing the bad faith of anti-rights actors
- Sexual Policy Watch Monthly Updates
- Using family as a frame in social justice activism: A guide for activists and funders in Europe. (OSF, 2018)
- Christian Hegemony.org (Kivel)
- #AntiGenderPolitics in Latin America video series – Spanish language with English subtitles (Sexuality Policy Watch, 2020)
- Gender Ideology: Tracking its Origins and Meanings in Current Gender Politics (Sonia Correa for CREA, 2019) [16:07 minutes]
- Youtube miniseries: #PreguntasDivinas – religious people asking God questions around LGBT over the chat in facebook, Spanish language. (Sentiido, 2018)
- Documentary: Destabilising Hetero & Cis-normativity in Africa (AIDS Accountability International, 2018)
- Documentary: Género bajo ataque / Gender under attack – Language: Spanish and Portuguese language, English subtitles, 70 minutes. (Jerónimo Centurión, 2018)Gender Under Attack: Latin America is being threatened by activists and organizations opposed to the recognition of sexual and reproductive rights, which act to limit and reduce any progress in the field of freedom to decide, fulfilling a political agenda that weakens freedoms, as well as the exercise of a healthy, pleasant and responsible sexuality. “Gender” explores this plot in progress in countries such as Peru, Colombia, Costa Rica and Brazil. Four countries where the political conjuncture, electoral processes, changes in educational content and even the referendum for peace have been the scenarios for these conservative movements to impose hatred of hatred, discrimination, with fallacious arguments, lacking all evidence and sowing fear and distrust. This documentary seeks to alert and inform public opinion that our fundamental rights are at risk and that we must be ready to defend them. [Film Website/Spanish Language]
- The Trump Administration’s Willful Misinterpretation of UN Policy (Rewire News, 2019)
- Trump’s is not the first US administration to ignore facts, and slash aid for women’s healthcare (Open Democracy, 2019)
- Defending Rights in Hostile Contexts: Understanding and Confronting the Crackdown Against Activists and Civic Space (JASS and Fund for Global Human Rights)
- Rising to the Populist Challenge: A New Playbook for Human Rights Actors (Dejusticia, 2018)
- The Psychology of Authoritarian Populism: A Bird’s Eye View (More in Common, 2018)
- Perspectives on Anti-Choice Lobbying in Europe Study for Policy Makers on Opposition to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Europe (The Greens and EFA, 2016)
- Framing Equality: Communication Handbook (Equinet, 2017)
- Framing LGBTQI Equality Toolkit (PIRC, 2018)
- Intersecting Movements Resisting Authoritarianisms: Feminist and Progressive Analysis and Tactics (RegionsFocus, 2018)
- Power and Protection of Activists (JASS)
- The Four Faces of Power (Grassroots Policy Project)
- Striking a Balance: Conscientious Objection and Reproductive Health Care from the Colombian Perspective (HHR, 2014)
- Refusing Reproductive Health Services on Grounds of Conscience in Latin America (SSRN, 2016).
- The Mobilization of Conservative Civil Society (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. 2018)
