RISE · RISE. Transfeminist resistance against heteroactivism and the antigender movement in stateless nations

Transfeminist resistance is critically under-investigated yet increasingly required in an era marked by a strong manifestation of heteroactivism and antigender mobilisations, often co-opted by far-right populisms to advocate for a nativist national identity. Stateless nations (groups with a distinct cultural, linguistic, and historical identity, without recognition as a sovereign state) are an ideal context to investigate how transfeminist resistance enables new insights into the intersection of legislation, lived experiences, and spatial struggles across scales. In the last decade, heteroactivism and antigender mobilisations have grown. Despite Europes strides in recognizing sexual/gender rights, studies reveal persistent state-based sexism and homophobia. In the stateless nations of Sardinia and Corsica, heteroactivist and antigender discourses are resisted by local transfeminist groups which see them as tools used to justify internal colonialism, turning these regions into sacrifice zones for military, energy, and carceral exploitation. RISE is based on two observations: (1) transfeminist resistance against the threats posed by heteroactivist and antigender mobilisation to inclusive societies is underexplored; (2) stateless nations where heteroactivist and antigender discourses on national identity and gender equality are contested remain overlooked. RISE will be the first project to examine transfeminist resistance to heteroactivism and antigender mobilisations in stateless nations to develop an intersectional understanding of gender equality in relation to national identity. I will bridge my experience as a transfeminist activist with theoretical reflection collaborating with Prof Browne, the geographer who defined the field of heteroactivism and antigender. Cited in 8000 works, she holds major influence across social sciences. With her and the UCD network engaged in related projects, I will complete RISE, contributing to future more inclusive EU societies.