In person icon Intersectional Coalitions and Alliances Within and Beyond Policy-Making

Abstract

Coalitions and alliances across movements and organizations are essential for translating intersectional principles into meaningful policy and advocacy strategies. However, building and sustaining such coalitions presents significant theoretical and practical challenges, particularly when intersecting identities and inequalities introduce tensions in representation, strategy, and policy priorities. This panel examines how intersectionality is operationalized in advocacy networks, civil society organizations, and institutional policymaking, shedding light on the opportunities and pitfalls of coalition-building in diverse contexts. By analyzing coalition-building across feminist, LGBTQ+, and broader social justice movements, this panel highlights both the transformative potential of intersectional alliances and the barriers they encounter. It interrogates how shared beliefs, strategic interests, and governance structures shape coalition dynamics, revealing the factors that strengthen or fragment collective action. Furthermore, it critically examines how institutions and organizations integrate intersectional principles in policy processes, exposing the risks of superficial inclusivity and the persistent marginalization of certain groups. Bringing together empirical and theoretical insights, this panel deepens our understanding of how intersectional coalitions navigate advocacy, policymaking, and institutional governance. It contributes to broader debates on coalition-building as both a strategy and a challenge in the pursuit of meaningful, sustained intersectional change.

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