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Bridging the divide: Understanding the psychological factors influencing feminist women’s support to transgender related policies
Brief about:
Journal Article (2025)
Written by:
Other researchers:
The aim of this research was to examine the antecedent of feminist ciswomen’s support for pro- and anti- trans actions within the University community during the approval of the Trans Law (Law 04/3023) in Spain. This research is relevant for policymakers, activists that seek to promote peacebuilding and inclisvity without triggering threat or zero-sum beliefs between trans people’s rights and ciswomen.
The demand for trans people’s institutional rights and
the approval of the Trans Law (Law 04/3023) has polarized
the feminist movement in Spain. In this contentious
context, our studies examined the relationship between
feminist identity and support for, or opposition to, trans
rights among the University community.
Key findings
- Studies were run in a real-life legal change advancing trans rightsEvidence
Studies were run during the approval of the Trans Law as Figure 2 shows
What it meansWe conducted the studies in a historical moment in Spanish LGBTIQA+ history.
- Feminist identification promotes cooperation with trans people in ciswomen.Evidence
In Study 1a, 2, and 3, we found a significant positive correlation between feminist identification and pro-trans collective action intentions.
What it meansFeminist identification is related to solidarity with the trans community in our sample.
- High ideological threat perception might dissuade ciswomen who identify as feminist from supporting trans rights.Evidence
Although the interaction was significant in both studies (Study 1a: b = .06, 95% CI [.02, .10], p = .002; Study 1b: b = −.11, 95% CI [−.17, −.04], p = .001), the patterns differed notably between them, particularly among participants reporting higher perceived threat.
What it meansPeople that have high perception of threat towards trans rights have negative attitudes regarding them, eventhough they identify as feminists.
- The exposure of narratives of conflict (vs. cooperation) enhances people's endorsement of zero-sum beliefs and reactive threat, which in turn predict more support for anti-trans collective actions and less support for actions advancing trans rights.Evidence
Participants exposed to the high threat message reported more reactive threat than those exposed to the low threat message (t(397) = −2.77; p = .006, d = −.30 (Hypothesis 2; see
Table 4)). There was no significant effect of the manipulation on pro-trans or anti-trans collective action intentions (pro-trans: t(402) = 1.97; p = .050, d = .20; anti-trans: t(403) = −.96; p = .337, d = −.10).
What it meansThis means that the mere exposure to messages of narratives of conflict betweehn feminists and the aims of the trans community can make people feel more threatened and endorse more anti-trans actions.
- We propose a series of win-win strategies to guarantee trans rights in the context of a Spanish university while not triggering threats nor zero-sum beliefs in ciswomen.Evidence
Given the current findings, developing win-win strategies that promote solidarity and support for trans rights while addressing perceived threats and divisive narratives is crucial. In what
follows, we suggest practical measures for the University of Granada to meet the Trans Law requirements while reducing reactive threat and zero-sum beliefs among cisgender women. Leveraging the current equity protocol, particularly Objective 8 concerning “LGBTQ+ people” (University of Granada, 2019), we propose the following strategies. It is essential to continuously monitor their effectiveness and anticipate unintended consequences through data collection on the well-being
of cisgender and transgender individuals, along with policy
reviews (see Table 5).
What it meansWe propose strategies to practically implement the reduction of conflict in applyhing the proposed Trans Law.
Proposed action
- Implement win-win strategies in policy-making in order to avoid feelings of threat and zero-sum beliefs
Provide counseling services and access to information on well-being for ciswomen and transgender individuals, recognizing the different needs faced by them
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Bridging the divide: Understanding the psychological factors influencing feminist women’s support to transgender related policies
Cite this brief: Galván Hernández, Danna. 'Bridging the divide: Understanding the psychological factors influencing feminist women’s support to transgender related policies'. Acume. https://www.acume.org/r/bridging-the-divide-understanding-the-psychological-factors-influencing-feminist-womens-support-to-transgender-related-policies/
Brief created by: Danna Galván Hernández | Year brief made: 2025
Original research:
- Estevan-Reina, L., Galván Hernández, D., & et al., ‘Bridging the divide: Understanding the psychological factors influencing feminist women’s support to transgender related policies’ 0(00) (pp. 1–25) https://doi.org/10.1111/pops.70032. – https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pops.70032
Research brief:
The aim of this research was to examine the antecedent of feminist ciswomen’s support for pro- and anti- trans actions within the University community during the approval of the Trans Law (Law 04/3023) in Spain. This research is relevant for policymakers, activists that seek to promote peacebuilding and inclisvity without triggering threat or zero-sum beliefs…
The demand for trans people’s institutional rights and
the approval of the Trans Law (Law 04/3023) has polarized
the feminist movement in Spain. In this contentious
context, our studies examined the relationship between
feminist identity and support for, or opposition to, trans
rights among the University community.
Findings:
Studies were run in a real-life legal change advancing trans rights
Studies were run during the approval of the Trans Law as Figure 2 shows
We conducted the studies in a historical moment in Spanish LGBTIQA+ history.
Feminist identification promotes cooperation with trans people in ciswomen.
In Study 1a, 2, and 3, we found a significant positive correlation between feminist identification and pro-trans collective action intentions.
Feminist identification is related to solidarity with the trans community in our sample.
High ideological threat perception might dissuade ciswomen who identify as feminist from supporting trans rights.
Although the interaction was significant in both studies (Study 1a: b = .06, 95% CI [.02, .10], p = .002; Study 1b: b = −.11, 95% CI [−.17, −.04], p = .001), the patterns differed notably between them, particularly among participants reporting higher perceived threat.
People that have high perception of threat towards trans rights have negative attitudes regarding them, eventhough they identify as feminists.
The exposure of narratives of conflict (vs. cooperation) enhances people’s endorsement of zero-sum beliefs and reactive threat, which in turn predict more support for anti-trans collective actions and less support for actions advancing trans rights.
Participants exposed to the high threat message reported more reactive threat than those exposed to the low threat message (t(397) = −2.77; p = .006, d = −.30 (Hypothesis 2; see
Table 4)). There was no significant effect of the manipulation on pro-trans or anti-trans collective action intentions (pro-trans: t(402) = 1.97; p = .050, d = .20; anti-trans: t(403) = −.96; p = .337, d = −.10).
This means that the mere exposure to messages of narratives of conflict betweehn feminists and the aims of the trans community can make people feel more threatened and endorse more anti-trans actions.
We propose a series of win-win strategies to guarantee trans rights in the context of a Spanish university while not triggering threats nor zero-sum beliefs in ciswomen.
Given the current findings, developing win-win strategies that promote solidarity and support for trans rights while addressing perceived threats and divisive narratives is crucial. In what
follows, we suggest practical measures for the University of Granada to meet the Trans Law requirements while reducing reactive threat and zero-sum beliefs among cisgender women. Leveraging the current equity protocol, particularly Objective 8 concerning “LGBTQ+ people” (University of Granada, 2019), we propose the following strategies. It is essential to continuously monitor their effectiveness and anticipate unintended consequences through data collection on the well-being
of cisgender and transgender individuals, along with policy
reviews (see Table 5).
We propose strategies to practically implement the reduction of conflict in applyhing the proposed Trans Law.
Advice:
Implement win-win strategies in policy-making in order to avoid feelings of threat and zero-sum beliefs