This study analyses how populist radical right parties (PRRPs) strategically engage with LGBTIQ+ issues on social networking sites (X/Twitter and Instagram). The aim of this paper is to scrutinise the radical-right populist narratives in Italy to assess to what extent issues related to LGBTIQ+ rights matter for this party family. We employ text methods to analyse social media data, providing a comprehensive view of PRRPs’ discourse. The research shows that rather than being constrained in a univocal dynamic, PRRPs strategically perform a trivotalisation of LGBTIQ+ issues in relation to policy debates, especially when it comes to “freedom of speech” and the defense of the so-called “traditional family”.

Do LGBTIQ+ issues matter for populist radical right? An analysis of Italian parties’ social media narratives

Prearo, Massimo;Scopelliti, Alessio
2025-01-01

Abstract

This study analyses how populist radical right parties (PRRPs) strategically engage with LGBTIQ+ issues on social networking sites (X/Twitter and Instagram). The aim of this paper is to scrutinise the radical-right populist narratives in Italy to assess to what extent issues related to LGBTIQ+ rights matter for this party family. We employ text methods to analyse social media data, providing a comprehensive view of PRRPs’ discourse. The research shows that rather than being constrained in a univocal dynamic, PRRPs strategically perform a trivotalisation of LGBTIQ+ issues in relation to policy debates, especially when it comes to “freedom of speech” and the defense of the so-called “traditional family”.
2025
populist radical right, LGBTIQ+ issues, gender, Lega, Fratelli d'Italia, social networking sites
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11562/1162110
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