The Battle of Concepts: French Feminist Mobilizations Against the Far Right’s Appropriation of the Feminist Legacy
摘要
This chapter examines how anti-gender movements in France have increasingly appropriated feminist rhetoric to advance conservative agendas, particularly in opposition to intersectional trans-feminist movements. Groups like Némésis and Les Antigones strategically infiltrate feminist demonstrations and online spaces, utilizing media-focused flash actions to position themselves as the true defenders of women’s rights while labelling mainstream feminists as “woke,” “Islamo-leftist,” or as betrayers of women’s interests, thereby distorting feminist discourse for exclusionary and nationalist ends. Since the La Manif Pour Tous protests against same-sex marriage in 2013, French anti-gender actors have shifted their focus toward opposing feminism, transgender rights, and reproductive freedoms. A key aspect of their strategy is the deployment of femonationalism, which frames feminism as a means of defending national identity against perceived external threats, particularly Islam and immigration. In response, feminist movements have developed both immediate and long-term counterstrategies. Short-term tactics include visibility reduction, counter-campaigns, collective defense, and debunking misinformation. Long-term efforts focus on reframing public discourse, educational initiatives, and leveraging humor to challenge stereotypes. The chapter underscores both the resilience of feminist movements and the growing influence of anti-gender mobilizations, emphasizing the need for adaptive feminist strategies to sustain an inclusive vision of gender equality.