Silenced or Exceptionally Loud: LGBTQ+ Interest Groups’ Strategies in the Face of Hostility

Recent societal developments, such as the proliferation of extreme right-wing politics, increasing polarization, and the rise of the anti-gender movement, has put equal rights for LGBTQ+ equality under pressure. Not only does this directly affect LGBTQ+ people, but it also affects those interest groups defending or promoting equal rights. As part of a bigger research project, this paper sets out to understand how hostility towards LGBTQ+ equality affects the strategic choices of LGBTQ+ interest groups. Using survey data this paper will estimate to what extent public opinion, elite opinion, religion-based hostility and lived experiences of hostility affects the strategies of LGBTQ+ interest groups across multiple political issues. Moreover, it seeks to understand how LGBTQ+ interest groups attempt to monitor and subsequently navigate hostile political contexts. The findings of the paper will further our understanding of how hostility alters or even limits groups’ strategies.