Research seminar: The Silenced Citizens of Russia: Exclusion of Nonheterosexual Subjects From Rights-Based Citizenship
- Dates
- Thursday 19 June 2014 (12:30-14:00)
Abstract:
This presentation will draw attention to how citizenship, informed by heteronormativity, is represented in politics, judiciary and public social practices in Russia. It argues that the observed discursive reality affects construction of heteronormative citizenship that restricts full inclusion of lesbians and gay men via silencing. The ideas for the article draw on literature on citizenship and two empirical research studies conducted in 2010 and 2011–2012. The first study was dedicated to the uncovering of discursive effects of political argumentation in Russia. The second centres on the accounts of lesbians and gay men themselves regarding their citizenship rights. Both studies give rise to concerns about Soviet legacy in contemporary Russian debates on homosexuality. This idea is supported by an analysis of that historical context that may be grasped from empirical studies of the Soviet.
Short bio:
Alex got his MA in the Sociology of Law from the International Institute for the Sociology of Law (University of the Basque Country, Spain). Since 2010, he has worked as a researcher at the Centre for Independent Social Research. He is the author of various international publications on sexuality, human rights organisations and citizenship with special attention to the issues of homosexuality. Research interests include: sociology of human rights, social citizenship and social movements in relation to migration and sexuality.
Research seminars take place at 1pm in the Senior Common Room (2nd floor) or Junior Common Room (Ground floor, G11), Birmingham Law School. A sandwich lunch and a glass of wine will be provided from 12:30pm.
Postgraduate students and academic staff are welcome to attend.