Front cover image for The EU enlargement and gay politics : the impact of Eastern enlargement on rights, activism and prejudice

The EU enlargement and gay politics : the impact of Eastern enlargement on rights, activism and prejudice

Koen Slootmaeckers (Editor), Heleen Touquet (Editor), Peter Vermeersch (Editor)
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
eBook, English, 2016
Palgrave Macmillan, London, 2016
1 online resource
9781137480934, 9781137480927, 1137480939, 1137480920
952336874
Preface and Acknowledgements; Contents; Notes on Contributors; List of Abbreviations; chapter 1: Introduction: EU Enlargement and LGBT Rights-Beyond Symbolism?; Conceptual Background of the Book; Structure of the Book; References ; Part I: The Broader Picture: LGBT Issues in the EU; chapter 2: The Co-evolution of EU's Eastern Enlargement and LGBT Politics: An Ever Gayer Union?; Introduction; The Growing Importance of LGBT Rights in the Accession Process; The Larger Shift in the EU's Changing Fundamental Rights Policy; Direct Changes to LGBT Rights in the Enlargement Process. The Europeanisation of LGBT Rights During the Fifth and Sixth Enlargement Rounds15 Tracking the Impact of the Enlargement on LGBT Rights in CEE; Lessons Learned? The Case of LGBT Rights in Croatia; In Lieu of a Conclusion: Food for Thought on the Future of LGBT Rights in the Western Balkans; References; chapter 3: European Integration and LGBTI Activism: Partners in Realising Change?; Introduction; Background: LGBTI Issues Gradually Gaining Ground in the EU; The EU Accession Process; Effects on Activism; The Accession Process as Leverage for Change. The Emerging Transnational Network: ILGA-EuropeFunding; Legislative Change-But Not Attitudes; Conclusion; References; List of Interviews; chapter 4: Federalizing Legal Opportunities for LGBT Movements in the Growing EU; Introduction; Federal Outlook on Gay Rights in the Union; Bumpy Road for Gay Rights in the Union: Genesis, Evolution and Current State of Art; EU Litigation Box for CEE: Example of ACCEPT; Right to Love as the Proper Framework for Analysis; Conclusions; References; Part II: Zooming in: Central and Eastern Europe. Chapter 5: Nationalism and Homophobia in Central and Eastern Europe Introduction; Nationalism in Central and Eastern Europe; Nationality/Homosexuality; Continued Existence of the Nation; National Norms and Values; Political Homophobia; Conclusion; References; chapter 6: From Pride to Politics: Niche-Party Politics and LGBT Rights in Poland; Introduction; Two Key Factors: EU Accession and Niche-Party Politics; The First Threshold: From Social to Political Protest; The Second Threshold: From Political Protest to Party Politics. From Social Protest to Party Politics: The Trajectory of the Polish Gay-Rights Movement Since 1989 The Social Protest Stage (1990-1997); The Politicization of the Movement: Backlash Against Gay Rights and the Politicization of Homosexuality (1998-2004); From Politicization to Party Politics (After 2004); Conclusion; References; chapter 7: Same-Sex Partnership Debate in Slovenia: Between Declarative Support and Lack of Political Will; Introduction; Three Decades of Struggle for Same-Sex Partnership Legislation