Dr. Radzhana Buyantueva: The dynamics of LGBT protest activity in Russia
The dynamics of LGBT protest activity in Russia Speaker: Radzhana Buyantueva is a postdoctoral researcher of Le Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique (F.R.S.-FNRS) affiliated with the Center for the Study of Politics (Cevipol) at the Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium. She has a Ph.D. in Politics from Newcastle University, UK. Her research interests include political sociology, social movements, East European politics, and LGBT rights. Her book The emergence and development of LGBT protest activity in Russia is about to be released in November 2022 with Palgrave McMillan. Radzhana joined the Aleksanteri Institute as a visiting researcher in September-October 2022. Abstract: The fall of the Soviet Union and the decriminalization of homosexuality in 1993 facilitated the development of LGBT activism in Russia. LGBT groups and organizations started to emerge, providing psychological support and a safe environment for LGBT people as well as organizing various events from cultural festivals to street protests. While same-sex relations are not exactly legally banned in Russia, the LGBT community faces increasing negative public attitudes, following the state’s promotion of ‘traditional values’ and the adoption of the notorious anti-LGBT propaganda law. State repression and homophobia that have intensified in the country in recent years make the work of LGBT activists increasingly more complicated. In comparison to their colleagues in liberal democracies, Russian LGBT activists struggle with stronger constraints on political access and ability to realize their civic and political rights and freedoms. The seminar will focus on LGBT Russians protesting for their rights. Drawing on social movement theories, I suggest that LGBT protest activity in authoritarian states such as Russia emerges, develops, and declines through a combination of certain factors (e.g., political opportunities and resources). My research is built on a mixed-method approach, including interviews with Russian LGBT activists. Read more about our current researchers and ongoing projects: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/aleksanter... The Aleksanteri Institute is one of the largest and best-known centres in the field of Russian, Eastern European and Eurasian studies. Our research is embedded within international scholarly networks, and we function as a hub and a catalyst of networks of people and ideas across the globe Read more about the Aleksanteri Institute: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/aleksanter... Follow the Aleksanteri Institute on Social Media https://x.com/Aleksanteri_UH / aleksanteriinstitute