Thread by @GabMagni

Why does the right support gay rights?

Andy Reynolds and I explain in @JoDemocracy

We classify right-wing parties in 3 groups from sincere support for gay rights, to rhetorical promotion to stir opposition to Muslim immigrants, to strong opposition

muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/article/…

1/n

As LGBTQ+ rights have advanced in many countries in recent years, opposition to LGBTQ+ rights has also intensified

But in a surprise development, many center-right parties have come to support gay rights (usually not trans rights) and have elected LGB politicians

2/n

In the article, we classify parties of the center right, the far right, and the religious right based on their position on gay rights – and explain the reasons behind such positions

3/n

The center-right has largely embraced gay rights in Europe (not so much trans rights)

This shift has been driven by changing social values, declining religiosity, and idiosyncratic leadership decisions

Think about the UK Conservative Party for instance

4/n

The religious right remains strongly opposed to LGBTQ+ rights

With an electorate that is still largely devout, the religious right has maintained its biblically rooted opposition

Think about parties like the German CSU, the Italian UDC/NCL, the Dutch CU

5/n

The far right is split

In Western Europe and Scandinavia, the far right has rhetorically expressed support for gay rights as a dog whistle of islamophobia to justify anti-Muslim + anti-immigrant policies

Think about the Ducth PVV, the Belgium VB, the French National Rally

6/n

In Eastern and Southern Europe, where gay rights are seen as a foreign value and a liberal imposition, the far right remains opposed to gay rights

Think about Brothers of Italy and Lega, Vox in Spain, Law and Justice in Poland, Fidesz in Hungary

7/n

However, while increasingly gay friendly, the right is perhaps more overtly transphobic than ever before

And for the far right, promoting gay rights has not built empathy with other minorities, as homonationalism links support for gay rights to anti-Muslim policies

8/n

Thanks to @CasMudde and @Phillip_Ayoub for stimulating conversations!

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