Transnational Networks Against Equality: How European Anti-Gender Movements Act and Connect Online

Anti-gender politics opposing women’s and LGBTIQ+ rights have increasingly crossed national borders, with the internet often cited as a key driver of this transnationalization. Yet, empirical evidence of how such connections emerge remains limited. At the same time, the nationalist and conservative ideologies underpinning these movements typically discourage overt cross-border cooperation. This tension raises critical questions about how, when, and under what conditions anti-gender actors engage transnationally online. This project investigates how anti-gender social movement organizations (SMOs) in five European countries—Croatia, Germany, France, Italy, and Poland—strategically use digital platforms to advance their agenda across borders. Drawing on a unique dataset of Twitter/X activity from 148 SMOs between 2012 and 2022, it employs a mixed-methods design that combines social network analysis, discourse network analysis, and content analysis to trace the dynamics and conditions of online transnationalization. I argue that online transnationalization among anti-gender SMOs is neither spontaneous nor widespread. Rather, these actors selectively cultivate online visibility by networking and framing issues in a competitive digital environment marked by scarce attention. At the same time, their nationalist and conservative ideologies constrain overt collaboration, creating a “visibility dilemma” that shapes digital engagement. Empirically, the study shows that anti-gender SMOs remain primarily rooted in national arenas, intensifying cross-border activism online only when domestic political opportunities narrow. A small set of influential brokers sustain transnational ties, bridging national and supranational spaces. These actors co-create transnational visibility through shared hashtag campaigns without explicit coordination, avoiding alienation of nationalist supporters. Overall, the project reveals how strategic considerations and ideological constraints intersect to shape the digital transnationalization of anti-gender politics, highlighting the nuanced role of digital platforms in enabling but also limiting cross-border activism.