Antilgbtqism: How Far-right Ideas Become Mainstream Through Policy Debate
Published in Rivista Italiana di Politiche Pubbliche, 2025
This study examines the strategic processes through which far-right anti-LGBTQ+ ideologies transition from fringe political positions to mainstream policy discourse. The research provides a comprehensive analysis of how extreme ideas gain legitimacy and acceptance within democratic institutional frameworks through systematic policy debates.
Abstract
The mainstreaming of far-right ideologies represents a significant challenge for contemporary democracies. This paper investigates the specific mechanisms by which anti-LGBTQ+ positions, originally confined to extremist political circles, become incorporated into mainstream policy discussions. Through detailed analysis of policy debates, we trace the pathways of ideological transmission and normalization.
Key Findings
• Mainstreaming mechanisms: Identification of specific strategies used to legitimize far-right anti-LGBTQ+ positions in policy discourse
• Institutional pathways: How democratic institutions inadvertently facilitate the normalization of extremist ideologies through standard debate procedures
• Policy discourse analysis: Systematic examination of language evolution and framing strategies that make extreme positions appear reasonable
• Democratic implications: Assessment of the broader consequences for democratic governance when far-right ideas gain mainstream acceptance
Research Materials
Recommended citation: Scopelliti, Alessio, Paride Carrara, and Francesco Marolla. (2025). "Antilgbtqism: How Far-right Ideas Become Mainstream Through Policy Debate." Rivista Italiana di Politiche Pubbliche. 1/2025: 109-139.
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