The EU Enlargement and Gay Politics: The Impact of Eastern Enlargement on Rights, Activism and Prejudice (Gender and Politics)

This book offers a well-investigated and accessible picture of the current situation around the politics of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) rights and activism in Central Europe and the Western Balkans in the context of the enlargement of the European Union (EU). It provides not only thoughtful reflections on the topic but also a wealth of new empirical findings -- arising from legal and policy analysis, large-scale sociological investigations and country case studies. Theoretical concepts come from institutional analysis, the study of social movements, law, and Europeanization literature. The authors discuss emerging Europe-wide activism for LGBT rights and analyze issues such as the tendency of nationalist movements to turn 'sexual others' into 'national others, ' the actions and rhetoric of church actors as powerful counter-mobilizers against LGBT rights, and the role of the domestic state on the receiving end of EU pressure in the field of fundamental rights Front Matter....Pages i-xviii Introduction: EU Enlargement and LGBT Rights—Beyond Symbolism?....Pages 1-16 Front Matter....Pages 17-17 The Co-evolution of EU’s Eastern Enlargement and LGBT Politics: An Ever Gayer Union?....Pages 19-44 European Integration and LGBTI Activism: Partners in Realising Change?....Pages 45-67 Federalizing Legal Opportunities for LGBT Movements in the Growing EU....Pages 69-96 Front Matter....Pages 97-97 Nationalism and Homophobia in Central and Eastern Europe....Pages 99-121 From Pride to Politics: Niche-Party Politics and LGBT Rights in Poland....Pages 123-145 Same-Sex Partnership Debate in Slovenia: Between Declarative Support and Lack of Political Will....Pages 147-172 Front Matter....Pages 173-173 The Struggle for Visibility and Equality: Bosnian LGBT Rights....Pages 175-202 Whose Pride? LGBT ‘Community’ and the Organization of Pride Parades in Serbia....Pages 203-220 The Curious Case of Macedonia: A Personal Insight of a Former Head of the EU Delegation in Macedonia....Pages 221-232 Back Matter....Pages 233-238 This text offers a well-investigated and accessible picture of the current situation around the politics of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) rights and activism in Central Europe and the Western Balkans in the context of the enlargement of the European Union (EU). It provides not only thoughtful reflections on the topic but also a wealth of new empirical findings - arising from legal and policy analysis, large-scale sociological investigations and country case studies Koen Slootmaeckers, Heleen Touquet, Peter Vermeersch, Editors. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.