Sexual citizenship and a clash of rights

Abstract This chapter presents two case studies where critique as a mode of political engagement has become detached from tradition. The first example concerns religiously motivated protests against sexual and gender diversity education in schools in the United Kingdom. This case highlights the failure of progressive organizations and communities to mobilize against religiously motivated prejudice against sexual and gender minorities. The second example concerns recent arguments between trans and gender critical activists that shows a similar absence of engagement between tradition and critique. This clash is further complicated through the radical nature of claims and use of a ‘cancel culture’ style of political engagement. It is argued that some difficult conversations need to be engaged in to turn down the emotional heat and re-engage with both tradition and critique.