In this episode of Studio Central and Eastern Europe, Maryna Shevtsova engages Emil Edenborg in a thought-provoking conversation on why gender and sexuality become such potent political tools, what drives the international rise in homophobia, and how scholarly work might help counter these trends. Their discussion unpacks global dynamics, power struggles, and the role of knowledge in shaping social change. Maryna is a Senior FWO Researcher at LINES, KU Leuven, and Emil is an Associate Professor of Gender Studies at Stockholm University.