Backlash Coalition: Banning Gender Inclusive Language in German States

This study examines the recent phenomenon of backlash coalitions in German states, particularly focusing on the banning of gender-inclusive language (GIL). The research investigates how the entrance of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) into state parliaments has influenced parliamentary discourse and policies regarding GIL, and how the mainstream conservative party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has responded to the discursive frames introduced by the AfD. The backdrop for this analysis is the legislative and social developments concerning Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) in Germany since 2017, including the legalization of same-sex marriage, the introduction of a third gender option, and the proliferation of GIL, particularly among younger populations. In response, various German states, particularly those governed by the CDU, have issued decrees or orders banning GIL, with these bans often targeting the use of non-binary characters such as the asterisk (*), underscore (_), and colon (:). Using a comparative approach, this study leverages the federal structure of Germany as a quasi-natural experiment. It compares two states with similar political contexts but differing in the presence and influence of the AfD within their parliaments. Through comparing the salience of GIL-related issues and frame analysis, the research explores how anti-genderist narratives have diffused from the AfD to the CDU, and how these narratives have been instrumental in normalizing far-right positions within mainstream political discourse. This research contributes to the broader literature on the political mainstreaming of radical ideologies and the role of backlash coalitions in shaping contemporary policy debates. It highlights the intersection of gender, politics, and language as a battleground for broader ideological conflicts in contemporary Germany and provides insights into the strategies employed by far-right and conservative actors to influence public policy and discourse.