Preserved Truths
Gender as a constructed Enemy
Time to take off the rose-colored glasses: Antigenderism has constructed a new scapegoat, discrediting a wide spectrum of gender identities. These sour pickles shouldn’t be underestimated.
The topic of gender, and everything associated with it, is increasingly under attack, especially within far-right and extremist circles. These attacks take the form of targeted disinformation campaigns, the deliberate spread of stereotypes, and the rejection of gender diversity. Often, gender is framed as an ideology rather than being understood as a scholarly concept that explores the social, cultural, and political dimensions of gender.
Such attacks influence public discourse and undermine societal acceptance of equality, diversity, and inclusion. They hinder dialogue and obstruct efforts aimed at dismantling structural disadvantages and promoting equal opportunities for all genders.
Antigenderism denies the legitimacy of gender studies as an academic field and rejects gender diversity, the principles of gender mainstreaming, and the visibility of LGBTQIA+ individuals. It also refuses to acknowledge gender diversity. The spectrum of gender identities. This rejection is often justified using outdated or pseudo-biological assumptions, which are then reproduced. Such attitudes frequently lead to hatred or violence against queer individuals and have direct consequences on their lived realities.
All the more reason to take a clear stance against these attacks, armed with well-founded knowledge. This includes communicating the importance of gender research and gender diversity in a factual way, dismantling prejudices, and highlighting the value of an inclusive society. It also means supporting those affected by discrimination and exclusion, and actively advocating for a respectful and open culture of debate.
Some commentators consider contemporary antigenderism to be a modernized form of antifeminism. But what does that actually mean for those affected in everyday life?
Antigenderism and antifeminism don’t stop at verbal attacks. They often take on a physical dimension. Women and queer individuals are particularly at risk, facing a heightened likelihood of becoming victims of gender-based violence.
In Germany, a woman experiences violence from her partner or ex-partner every four minutes, and a femicide occurs every two to three days—the killing of a woman because of her gender or gender-based norms.
By the end of 2021, the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth reported that one in three women in Germany experiences physical and/or sexualized violence at least once in her life. About one in four women suffers physical, sexualized, and/or psychological violence in her current or past relationship.
Most cases, however, go unreported. Due to shame, fear, or other barriers. According to a 2014 EU study, only 14% of women report incidents of partner violence to the police.
Violence against queer people is also on the rise: in 2023, the Federal Criminal Police Office and the Ministry of the Interior recorded 1,499 offenses related to sexual orientation and 854 related to gender diversity. That marks an increase of approximately 49% in crimes against LGBQ individuals and 105% against trans, intersex, and non-binary people.
While men can also be victims of intimate partner violence, the frequency and severity of such incidents differ significantly. Women and queer individuals are more likely to experience structural violence, systemic disadvantages embedded in social, economic, or cultural frameworks. This form of violence is perpetuated through power imbalances, intimidation, and control, making it especially insidious and enduring.
These statistics underscore the urgent need for societal awareness, legal protection, and structural change. Combating antigenderism and antifeminism isn’t just about defending academic disciplines or political ideals, it’s about safeguarding lives and ensuring dignity for all.
Sources:
https://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/fra_uploads/fra-2014-vaw-survey-at-a-glance-oct14_de.pdf
https://www.lsvd.de/de/ct/2445-Queerfeindliche-Gewalt#wie-viel-hasskriminalitaet-gegen-lsbti
(1) https://www.frauen-gegen-gewalt.de/de/infothek/strukturelle-gewalt/merkmale-und-tatsachen.html
Antifeminism—considered the ideological foundation of antigenderism—is “as old as the women’s movement itself, which entered the political stage in the transition to modernity.” With the second wave of feminism (1960s to 1980s), women in Germany gained significant rights. Since 1977, they have been allowed to pursue employment without needing to reconcile it with legally binding marital duties or obtain written permission from a male figure such as a husband or father.
However, these hard-won rights have long faced backlash. Antifeminist movements are often supported by Christian, aristocratic, national-conservative, right-wing populist, and even extremist circles. What unites them is the rejection of women’s rights and the rights of queer individuals, which they actively oppose through political and media channels—often using populist rhetoric to do so.
A contemporary example is the Tradwife movement. “Tradwife” stands for “traditional housewife,” and young women on platforms like Instagram and TikTok present themselves as idealized versions of this role. In videos, they showcase how they care for their husbands, often through cooking and baking, promoting the idea that a “good wife” should prioritize male needs, even at the cost of her own career. Feminist women and progressive models of partnership are rejected or portrayed as threats.
Movements like Tradwife help preserve patriarchal power structures. The patriarchy (literally “rule of the father”) is a societal system shaped by male norms and values. Leadership roles in politics and business are predominantly held by men, men earn more than women, and even critical sectors like medical research and healthcare are largely oriented toward male bodies and experiences.
Men thus hold most privileges, power, and wealth in society. To maintain this dominance amid growing awareness of gender inequality, patriarchal narratives are reinforced through ideological buzzwords like “gender madness” or “gender terror.” These terms are not grounded in scientific evidence but serve to maintain power and manipulate public opinion.
The resulting narrative, built on imagined threats, has become increasingly normalized through elections, media coverage, and legal frameworks. In turn, this not only fuels gender-based violence but also strengthens far-right ideologies. Antigenderism paves the way for other forms of discrimination, including racism and antisemitism, making it a broader threat to democratic and inclusive societies.
Sources:
(2) https://www.idz-jena.de/fileadmin/user_upload/PDFS_WSD7/Streichhahn.pdf
https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/politik/ausland/tradwife-bewegung-trend-tiktok-100.html
To build an open and tolerant society, it is essential to actively oppose all forms of discrimination and to consciously advocate for anti-discrimination.
While antigenderism primarily targets the suppression of marginalized groups, patriarchal structures can have negative consequences for all members of society.
Many issues beyond gender and gender-based inequality remain socially taboo to this day, such as mental and physical illness, poverty, and financial hardship.
To uncover and dismantle the power structures responsible for these taboos, it is important for everyone to reflect on their own socialization, internalized stereotypes, and gender norms. In doing so, we can learn together and help destigmatize marginalized topics.
Wherever personal reflection begins, it is vital to take a clear stance in a pluralistic and open society. Antigenderism often serves as a unifying tool for various groups, mobilizing new supporters through a shared enemy image, a growing threat. To counter the normalization of discrimination and antigenderism, such statements must not be passively accepted.
Whether in public, within families, among friends, at universities, online or offline: it is crucial to take a stand against exclusion and stigmatization.
Additional Sources:
- Amadeu Antonio Stiftung (2022): Was ist Antifeminismus?, online unter: https://www.amadeu-antonio-stiftung.de/antifeminismus/was-ist-antifeminismus/ [04.11.2022]
- Streichhahn, Vincent (2020): Antifeminismus damals und heute: eine Geschichte ohne Ende?, online unter: https://www.idz-jena.de/wsddet/wsd7-3 [04.11.2022]
- Regenbogenportal BMFSFJ (2022): Anti-Genderismus: Gender unter Ideologieverdacht, online unter: https://www.regenbogenportal.de/informationen/anti-genderismus-gender-unter-ideologieverdacht [04.11.2022]
- Amadeu Antonio Stiftung (2022): Das können Sie gegen Antifeminismus tun, online unter: https://www.amadeu-antonio-stiftung.de/antifeminismus/das-koennen-sie-tun/ [04.11.2022]
