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Introduction: LGBTQ+ Activism and the Power of Locals

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Book cover LGBTQ+ Activism in Central and Eastern Europe

Abstract

In the Introduction to this book, we discuss the wide variation in the impact of social and political environments on local LGBTQ+ activists and communities. Then we provide an outline of the content of the volume according to the three thematic areas: (1) Western perspectives and local context, (2) the role of the state in affecting LGBTQ+ activism, and (3) the development of LGBTQ+ movements in CEE. We explore various issues faced by LGBTQ+ activists, tactics, and strategies they develop and adopt in pursuit of their goals. LGBTQ+ movements in these countries have different level of development depending on political and social contexts. At the same time, some issues are similar, and yet so different, for many LGBTQ+ activists across the globe such as issues of identity, discrimination, and homophobia. LGBTQ+ movements of the region frequently experienced backlashes from the state and society.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Amelia Derkatsch, Gender Studies Commissioning Editor at Palgrave Macmillan Publishing, for her support and help with this project, to Phillip Ayoub for his valuable comments, and to the Center for European Studies at the University of Florida for hosting Maryna Shevtsova as she worked on this volume during her Fulbright fellowship in the USA.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

    Radzhana Buyantueva

  2. Gainesville, FL, USA

    Maryna Shevtsova

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  1. Radzhana Buyantueva
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  2. Maryna Shevtsova
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Correspondence to Radzhana Buyantueva .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

    Radzhana Buyantueva

  2. Gainesville, FL, USA

    Maryna Shevtsova

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Buyantueva, R., Shevtsova, M. (2020). Introduction: LGBTQ+ Activism and the Power of Locals. In: Buyantueva, R., Shevtsova, M. (eds) LGBTQ+ Activism in Central and Eastern Europe. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20401-3_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20401-3_1

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-20400-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-20401-3

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

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