Study Finds Gender Ideology Fuels Support For Left-Wing Political Violence

A federally commissioned study has found a measurable link between support for transgender ideology and backing for left-wing political violence, according to research obtained by the *New York Post* ahead of its official release.

The report, titled “Where the Clinic Meets the Movement: Does Gender Ideology Arm Left-Wing Authoritarian Psychology?” was conducted by researchers from Rutgers University, the Manhattan Institute, and the Network Contagion Research Institute. It surveyed 1,208 American adults on their views regarding gender identity affirmation, perceived threats to transgender individuals, and support for anti-democratic actions.

Researchers developed the Clinical Gender Affirmation Scale (CGAS), based on guidelines from the American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. The survey also measured attitudes toward six forms of political violence, including the killing of public figures, arson against government buildings, property destruction, and violence against law enforcement.

According to the findings, CGAS scores showed a strong statistical association with left-wing authoritarianism (LWA), with Spearman correlations ranging from 0.44 to 0.59. The CGAS accounted for 31.5% of the variability in LWA scores. After controlling for political identity and age, LWA remained an independent predictor of support for violence across all six targets surveyed.

The study concluded that gender ideology may function as an “ideological accelerant,” identifying perceived enemies, framing situations as urgent, and legitimizing violence among those already inclined toward authoritarianism. The authors also explored “catastrophizing beliefs,” including the perception that a genocide against transgender individuals is underway, and support for punishing those who reject gender ideology or Supreme Court rulings on gender-related issues. However, they noted that these connections require further empirical analysis.

Study co-author Colin Wright told the *Post* that the results were among the most striking he had encountered. “One of our study’s most interesting and perhaps shocking findings was that accepting gender ideology appeared to augment authoritarian attitudes on support for political violence,” he said. Wright suggested that gender ideology may define specific oppressed groups and their oppressors, and promote extreme narratives of harm for those who do not affirm transgender identities. He emphasized that this explanation remains speculative and will be addressed in a follow-up report.

The study does not claim causation, and its authors acknowledge limitations. They are designing a second study using an experimental design to test whether exposure to content consistent with the CGAS leads to the predicted patterns of authoritarianism and violence.

The timing of the report coincides with several high-profile violent incidents involving individuals who identified as transgender. In 2022, Nicholas Roske, who identifies as a transgender woman, was arrested outside Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s home with an alleged plan to assassinate him. In 2023, Tyler Robinson, who reportedly had a relationship with a transgender roommate, allegedly shot Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk during a campus event. Separate school shootings in Minnesota and Tennessee were also carried out by individuals who identified as transgender.

While these incidents have drawn public attention, the study authors caution against drawing causal conclusions. They state that their findings are preliminary and that further research is needed to establish whether gender ideology directly contributes to increased support for political violence.