The political mobilisation of religion and gender in intersectional perspective

Abstract

This collection explores the intersections of religion, gender, and sexuality in contexts of political turmoil and polarisation, adopting perspectives from sociology, anthropology, and religious studies. From an intersectional perspective, it examines how various actors mobilise these categories in public discourse, governance, and activism, highlighting the power dynamics that shape religious and sexual identities. Contributions address three primary forms of politicisation: conservative Christian movements opposing ‘gender ideology’, right-wing populist instrumentalisation of gender equality within anti-immigrant narratives, and religious and non-religious women’s advocacy for gender rights. Drawing on empirical data from diverse geographical regions, the studies investigate both political dynamics and individual agency, showing how actors navigate and challenge categorisations of ‘otherness’. Key topics include municipal policies on religious and sexual diversity in Spain, African Pentecostal practices in the Netherlands, public opinion on reproductive rights in Latin America, LGBTQI+ activism in Georgia, interfaith women’s activism in Italy, and feminist collective apostasies in Argentina and Spain. Together, these contributions reveal the complex entanglements of religion, gender, and sexuality in contentious politics and call for nuanced, context-specific analyses.