Activist Citizenship and the LGBT Movement in Serbia: Belonging, Critical Engagement, and Transformation

218 Pages·2015·2.986 MB·English

by  Robert Rhodes-Kubiak (auth.)

ACTIVIST CITIZENSHIP
AND THE LGBT
MOVEMENT IN SERBIA
Belonging, Critical Engagement, and Transformation
Robert Rhodes-Kubiak
Activist Citizenship and the LGBT
Movement in Serbia
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Activist Citizenship and the LGBT
Movement in Serbia
Belonging, Critical Engagement, and
Transformation
Robert Rhodes-Kubiak
palgrave
macmillan
activist citizenship and the lgbt movement in serbia
Copyright © Robert Rhodes-Kubiak, 2015.
Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1st edition 2015 978-1-137-49426-9
All rights reserved.
First published in 2015 by PALGRAVE MACMILLAN® in the United
States—a division of St. Martin’s Press LLC, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
10010.
Where this book is distributed in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world,
this is by Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited,
registered in England, company number 785998, of Houndmills, Basingstoke,
Hampshire RG21 6XS.
Palgrave Macmillan is the global academic imprint of the above companies and
has companies and representatives throughout the world.
Palgrave® and Macmillan® are registered trademarks in the United States, the
United Kingdom, Europe and other countries.
ISBN 978-1-349-55288-7 ISBN 978-1-137-49427-6 (eBook)
DOI 10.1057/9781137494276
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Rhodes-Kubiak, Robert.
Activist citizenship and the LGBT movement in Serbia : belonging, critical
engagement, and transformation / Robert Rhodes-Kubiak.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Gay liberation
movement—Serbia. 2. Homosexuality—Political aspects—Serbia. 3. Gay
men—Political activity—Serbia. 4. Lesbians—Political activity—Serbia.
5. Bisexuals—Political activity—Serbia. 6. Social movements—Serbia.
I. Title.
HQ76.8.S4R46 2015
306.76'6094971—dc23
2015007864
A catalogue record of the book is available from the British Library.
Design by Amnet.
First edition: September 2015
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
For Michael, with everlasting thanks for your support.
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Contents
Acknowledgments ix
1 Introduction 1
2 Understanding Movements: Social Movement
Theory and the Links with Citizenship 21
3 From Status and Participation to Engagement and
Transformation: Understanding “Activist Citizenship” 47
4 LGBT Activist Movements in Post-Communist Europe:
Localized Strategies of Visibility, Rights, and Europeanness 67
5 The Inception of an LGBT Movement in Serbia: Contests
of Citizenship 89
6 The Development of the LGBT Activist Movement in
Serbia in the 2000s 121
7 “Roots and Roofs”: Understanding the Strategies,
Tactics, and Targets of the Movement 139
8 “This Is Our Country Too”: Activist Citizenship and
the LGBT Movement in Serbia 165
9 Conclusions 189
Bibliography 197
Index 213
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Acknowledgments
First, my most heartfelt thanks go to Michael in recognition
of his patience, unwavering support, and assistance through-
out my career. Without him, this book would certainly not
exist.
I want to acknowledge the unfailing support of my mother,
Alison, who has given me a love of knowledge and the pas-
sion to make a difference. It is this that led me to a lifelong
involvement in the former Yugoslavia. Thanks to Susie, Matt,
Robin, and Jill for their continued support.
Special thanks as ever go to my inspiring former PhD
supervisors Dr. Paul Bagguley and Dr. Angharad Beckett.
Their ongoing and unwavering advice and guidance have
been informative and indispensable in generating and
strengthening my intellectual journey. Thank you to Profes-
sor Gill Valentine and Dr. Julie Wallbank for their input into
my research.
Many thanks also to the Centre for Interdisciplinary Gen-
der Studies at the University of Leeds, especially Dr. Sally
Hines, Dr. Shirley Tate, Dr. David Bell, and Professor Ruth
Holliday, and to Dr. Matthew Waites at the University of
Glasgow.
To my many friends in Serbia, and to the LGBT activists
there, many of whom gave me their time, energy, and atten-
tion, looked after me, trusted me, and inspired me to write
this book, I give unending thanks and appreciation.