Russian blue: The production of queer identity in 1990s Russia

This dissertation explores the complexities of queer identity and discourse in Russia during the 1990s, a transformative period marked by profound political, social, and economic shifts following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, examining how queer individuals and communities navigated the tumultuous landscape of post-Soviet Russia amidst evolving narratives of freedom, democracy, Russian nationhood, and human rights. My main source base is the gay and lesbian periodicals of the time, which the noted historian of queer Russia Dan Healey has called a unique archive of freedom that historians have yet to thoroughly investigate. My goal is to show the recent history of queer Russians and how they interacted with and participated in the democratization process. My research highlights the ways in which queer Russians engaged with, contributed to, and were sometimes sidelined by the broader discourses of change and continuity that characterized the 1990s. It also scrutinizes the interplay between Western influences and local forms of queer expression, interrogating how global narratives of queer rights and identities intersected with Russian traditions, values, and resistances. Additionally, the dissertation delves into the role of discourse in shaping public and private conceptions of queerness, analyzing how language, media, and art became battlegrounds for contesting and affirming queer existence. By bringing together the voices and experiences of queer Russians with an analysis of broader social trends, this dissertation contributes to a deeper understanding of the challenges and achievements of the queer community during a pivotal era in Russian history. It not only sheds light on the specific context of the 1990s, but also offers insights into the ongoing struggles and resilience of queer individuals in Russia, providing a foundation for future research and advocacy.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

History

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2024

Author dc:creator

• Yost, Franziska

Contributors dc:contributor

• Steinberg, Mark
• Randolph, John
• Moussawi, Ghassan
• Essig, Laurie

• Russian History
• Queer History
• Post-communism
• Transition Studies

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2024 Franziska Yost

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/125568

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F125568