La guerra italiana sulla 'ideologia del gender': Il caso dei corsi cancellati

In recent years, Italy has witnessed an intensifying campaign led by conservative and reactionary organizations (mostly but not exclusively Catholic), later supported by political parties and public institutions, against the so-called ‘gender ideology’ or ‘gender theory.’ The ascent of far-right parties at both national and local levels has legitimated this mobilization, resulting in the suppression of numerous gender equality initiatives. This article examines a specific local case: the ‘Gender Relations Education’ courses implemented in schools within the Autonomous Province of Trento. Despite the initiative’s long-standing success – conducted under the scientific supervision of the University of Trento and funded by the Province itself – it has been increasingly targeted by the local ‘anti-gender’ network, far right and right-wing political forces, culminating in its cancellation following the electoral victory of the Lega in 2018. Through a qualitative analysis of various textual sources (council questions and motions, public statements, administrative documents, and newspaper articles), this contribution explores the rhetorical and discursive strategies employed to delegitimize the integration of a gender perspective in educational settings.