Summary
This briefing note is based on the peer reviewed study by Fran Amery and Aurelien Mondon, titled "Othering, peaking, populism and moral panics: The reactionary strategies of organised transphobia," and was published in The Sociological Review in 2024. The research explores how organised transphobia uses similar strategies and politics as the wider reactionary movement, which has become increasingly mainstream.
Strategies in Organised Transphobia – Briefing Note
Organised transphobia is an increasingly prevalent phenomenon that employs specific strategies and tactics to achieve its exclusionary goals. Amery and Mondon’s peer-reviewed study (published in the Sociological Review in 2024) analyses how organised transphobia operates by examining the processes of othering, the exploitation of moral panics, and the utilisation of populist discourse. These strategies are interconnected and reinforce one another to undermine the rights and legitimacy of trans people.
The definition of transphobia used in this briefing note is “the dislike, prejudice, discrimination, denial of identity, hatred or violence towards people who identify as transgender or gender diverse.”
Strategies in Organised Transphobia – Othering as a Core Strategy
At the heart of organised transphobia lies the process of “othering”, a strategy that constructs a homogenous “us” by exaggerating the threats supposedly posed by a “them,” in this case, trans people.
This process is not unique to transphobia but is a common tactic used in various forms of discrimination and prejudice, a typical example being racism and the “Stop the Boats” campaign. The goal is to create a clear distinction between the ‘in-group’ and the ‘out-group’ – thereby justifying discriminatory practices and policies.
Strategies in Organised Transphobia – Moral Panics
Moral panics are a key instrument in organised transphobia, serving to generate outrage and anxiety by focusing on specific incidents and portraying trans people as a danger to society. These panics are often stoked by right-wing media accounts, and even the BBC, which can depict sudden and dramatic increases in trans identification and related issues. Specific narratives, such as “conversion narratives” and “peak trans” moments, are strategically employed to amplify fear and consolidate opposition to trans rights.
Strategies in Organised Transphobia – “Peak Trans” Narratives
These narratives, popular in online misogynist communities, often take the form of conversion stories, where individuals claim to have “de-transitioned” or realised the supposed dangers of transgender ideology. These narratives serve to signify not only transphobia but also the rejection of pro-feminist traditions, thereby uniting disparate groups under a common cause. Furthermore, they are used to pressure governments into taking action against the trans community.
Strategies in Organised Transphobia – “Crossed Thresholds”
Moral panics frequently revolve around “crossed thresholds,” which involve anxieties about the presence of trans women in women’s spaces, such as bathrooms and changing rooms, and concerns about children’s access to information about trans identities. These concerns are often amplified by organisations like Transgender Trend, which seek to portray trans issues as a threat to women and children.
Strategies in Organised Transphobia – Reversal of Rights
Reactionary politics, which includes the exploitation of moral panics, often involves the misuse and abuse of concepts such as free speech to legitimise transphobia and exclusion. This dynamic effectively casts the oppressed as a nefarious elite, turning the narrative on its head.
Strategies in Organised Transphobia – Populist Discourse: Harnessing Support
Organised transphobia strategically employs populist discourse to garner broader support for its exclusionary agenda. This involves framing trans people as a threat to “the people” and their values, thereby constructing a fundamental division within society. By appealing to popular sentiment and anxieties, this discourse allows anti-pluralist ideas to gain traction and influence public policy.
Strategies in Organised Transphobia – Instrumentalisation of Women’s Rights
Some groups and movements exploit women’s rights and LGBTQ+ rights to oppose what they term “gender ideology“. This can involve claiming that trans rights undermine women’s rights, thereby creating a false dichotomy and undermining solidarity between different marginalised groups. Furthermore, organised transphobia often entails building alliances across the political spectrum, including with those on the far right. These alliances help to mainstream transphobic ideas and policies, normalising discrimination and exclusion.
Strategies in Organised Transphobia – Exploitation of Anxieties and Denial of Legitimacy
Organised transphobia is exacerbated by tapping into societal anxieties and discomfort. This can involve representing trans issues as a threat to traditional values and norms, thereby playing on people’s fears and prejudices. Additionally, organised transphobia seeks to deny legitimacy to trans people by portraying them as inauthentic or deceptive. This involves questioning their identities and rights, thereby undermining their sense of self and belonging.
Strategies in Organised Transphobia – The Role of Media and the Internet
The media and the internet play a significant role in amplifying organised transphobia. Media accounts can sensationalise stories and statistics, contributing to moral panics and the spread of misinformation. The internet provides a platform for the dissemination of transphobic content, allowing like-minded individuals to connect and organise.
The ultimate goal of these strategies is to undermine the rights and well-being of trans people. By constructing them as a threat to society, organised transphobia seeks to justify discriminatory policies and practices, thereby reinforcing existing power structures and inequalities.
Strategies in Organised Transphobia – Conclusion
Organised transphobia relies on a combination of othering, moral panics, and populist discourse to achieve its exclusionary goals – it has a “knock-on” effect of increasing hate against a tiny, vulnerable minority. These strategies are interconnected and mutually reinforcing, creating a hostile environment for trans people and undermining their rights and well-being. Understanding these strategies is crucial for combating transphobia and promoting a more inclusive and equitable society.
