Date of Award

5-3-2017

Degree Type

Closed Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

First Advisor

Susan Talburt

Second Advisor

Tiffany King

Third Advisor

Megan Sinnott

Abstract

The militarization as a result of the war in Eastern Ukraine intensifies nationalism as a struggle against Russian imperialism and strengthens aspirations towards the European Union as a way of Ukrainian “modernization” against the “backwardness” of the Soviet Union. The nationalist manifestations and statements construct the Other as barbaric and position Ukraine as progressive, civilized, democratic, and modern. The rhetoric of division of “us” vs. “them,” a newly constructed and demonized “common enemy,” may provide LGBT subjects with alleged legitimacy if they articulate belonging to the national identity. This thesis explores the links between homonationalism, gay liberal rights discourses, and the production of narratives of progress and modernity against racialized Others, examining tendencies that normalize LGBT subjects along discourses of “good citizen” and “patriot,” leaving behind other non-normative subjects.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.57709/10075656

Download

Share

COinS