ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the global rise of anti-gender movements and their implications for educational practices and student welfare. It highlights how anti-gender groups seek to prohibit discussions of gender and sexuality in schools. These actors view “gender ideology” as a threat to traditional values, using fear-based tactics to mobilize parental opposition to comprehensive sex education. This chapter explores the historical emergence of the sex-gender distinction, the political roots of anti-gender mobilization, and the adverse effects of these campaigns on students, particularly those with non-normative gender and sexual identities. It discusses how anti-gender protests undermine teachers’ professional autonomy, compromise students’ access to essential information, and contribute to increased stigmatization and mental health challenges for LGBTQ+ youth. This chapter underscores the importance of inclusive education for fostering tolerance and equity and warns against the detrimental impact of politicized attacks on educational content and practices.
