A/79/151 of populism, patriarchy and authoritarianism is a core theme of many current scholars of rising authoritarianism. 126 39. Commonly referred to by anti-gender and anti-rights movements, “gender ideology” has emerged as a dominant catch-all phrase that falsely implies a sinister attempt to undermine the social order by tampering with gender norms. It is used to oppose reproductive rights and the rights of LGBT people, and affects the overall environment in which elections take place. 127 In one submission, it was noted that even when legislative proposals opposing “gender ideology” did not move forward in parliament, they contributed “to a climate of uncertainty and concern”. 128 In another submission, it was noted how the use of “gender ideology” as a concept “legitimizes the exercise of various types of violence based on prejudice against LGBTI+ leaders”. 129 40. The perceived threat of so-called “gender ideology” is also used in some contexts by politicians to distract public attention from other issues, 130 often through sensationalist methods. 131 In several submissions, it was noted that some politicians are “implementing discriminatory election campaigns that promote anti -rights rhetoric as a strategy to win votes”, 132 to help consolidate support in other political processes 133 or for political gain based on the exploitation of prejudice. 134 41. The Independent Expert previously highlighted the use and rebranding of the term “gender ideology” as “part of an anti-rights discourse by political and religious leaders seeking to limit the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse persons”. 135 In one submission, it was noted how anti-LGBT rhetoric was sometimes positioned as religious speech protected by freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief. 136 Profiling LGBT issues in campaigns, in order to generate a negative response and enhance political prospects, is often planned and purposeful. 42. Referendums, often with provocative or misleading questions, are one mechanism used to radicalize political discourse, or to distract voters from other pressing issues. For example, in 2022, Hungary held a referendum on banning educational materials with content related to gender and sexual diversity. The questions were both misleading and pejorative, reinforcing the rationale for the proposed legislation as protecting children from harmful influences. The referendum failed due to low turnout that fell short of the required level of participation. 137 43. Intolerant rhetoric, based on animosity, fear-mongering and hate speech, may be directed at different targets, depending on the political climate and prominent social concerns at any given time. Migrants, women, people with disabilities and racial, linguistic and religious minorities may all be targeted by disparaging rhetoric __________________ 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 16/25 Betul Eksi and Elizabeth A. Wood, “Right-wing populism as gendered performance: Janus-faced masculinity in the leadership of Vladimir Putin and Recep T. Erdogan”, Theory and Society, vol. 48, No. 5 (November 2019), pp. 733–751. Submission by Frontline AIDS, p. 2. Submission by the national human rights institution of Brazil, p. 6. Submission by Caribe Afirmativo, p. 2. Graeme Reid, “Hungary’s path puts everyone’s rights in danger”, Social Europe, 6 October 2021; and Graeme Reid, “Russia, homophobia and the battle for ‘traditional values’”, Social Europe, 17 May 2023. Submission by the Human Rights Commission of Mexico City, p. 6. Submission by the national human rights institution of Brazil, p. 6. Submission by Caribe Afirmativo, footnote 8. Submission by ReportOUT, p. 9. A/73/152, para. 27. Submission by the Centro de Promoción y Defensa de los Derechos Sexuales y Reproductivos, p. 5. Ryan Thoreson, “Hungarian groups fight fines for supporting LGBT rights: government should halt relentless attacks on civil society”, Human Rights Watch, 22 April 2022. 24-12964