Although homophobia exists in nearly all societies, Russia has recently gained notoriety for its intolerance of homosexual behavior. In a world that is becoming more and more accepting and tolerant of homosexuality, Russia seems to be moving backward when it comes to LGBTQ rights, existing in a tightly conservative macrosystem. Many Russian’s hold a constructionist view of homosexuality, meaning outside forces are responsible for influencing “untraditional” behaviors, rather than the contemporary essentialist view, meaning homosexuality is an inborn trait (Welch, 146). Understandably, Russia’s tumultuous political past must be a strong contributor to today’s attitudes towards homosexuality and other sexual orientations. Under the Tsars, homosexuality was a crime punishable by imprisonment or death, after Lenin came to power after the October Revolution, homosexuality was decriminalized and homosexuals were allowed to hold office in the newly formed Soviet Union. However, as anti-gay laws were enacted by Stalin, homosexuals were seen as a “danger to the state” and sent to prisons and forgot about. After the glasnost, Yeltsin under pressure from the Council of Europe, legalized homosexuality in 1993. But under Putin, homosexuals have been under fire due to a series of anti-gay propaganda laws and an increasingly homophobic Russia society; this is due to the increase of influence of the Russian Orthodox Church, the effect the media has on the populace as controlled by the hegemony, and the use of homosexuality as a scapegoat of Russia’s problems.
Although the use of religion as a weapon against LGBTQ people is not uncommon, it is one of the primary reasons for the current hostile attitudes towards homosexuals. During the Communist ...
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...a, and also the influence of the populace by the hegemony against a common enemy are keeping homophobic feelings very much alive. By making the world aware of this problem, the LGBTQ community of Russia is already making progress by fighting oppression.
Works Cited
“Russia in the 21st Century: A Culture War Caused by Traditional Revanchism.”(2011) by Valery Sozayev, published in The Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People in the Russian Federation (2012).
“The Russian Orthodox Church’s Role in Russia’s Anti-Gay Laws” (2013) by Jamie Manson, published by National Catholic Reporter.
“Russian anti-gay law prompts rise in homophobic violence” (2013) by Alec Luhn, published by The Guardian UK.
“Homophobia Spreads in Russian Media” (2014) by Stephen Ennis, published by BBC News World Europe.
“From Russia, Without Love” (2013) by Sheila Kennedy
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Simon, Rachel. "Harvey Fierstein on Russia's Anti-gay Laws: 'You Cannot Just Ignore Evil'" Msnbc.com. NBC News Digital, 12 Sept. 2013. Web. 23 Feb. 2014.
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Яблоков, Евгений. "Беспокойное Собачье Сердце, или Горькие Плоды Легкого Чтения." Review. Литературная Критика Oct. 2010: n. pag. http://magazines.russ.ru. Журнальный зал, Oct. 2010. Web. 19 Feb. 2014.
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