Homophobie in post-jugoslawischen Gegenwartsgesellschaften
Homophobia in Contemporary Post-Yugoslav Societies

Summary/Abstract: The article gives a short introduction and comparative overview on homophobia in the contemporary western Balkans. Homosexuality cuts a deep cleft through Post-Yugoslav societies, as one could see in Serbia or Croatia. Homophobic attitudes and a high degree of accepted discrimination towards LGBTIQ-people are one of the most important issues of concern in Post-Yugoslav societies. Sexual minorities in public places are provoking the anger of the assumed majority, as violence in Belgrade (2001/2010), Zagreb (2002), Sarajevo (2008) and Split (2011) evidenced. One may conclude that homosexuality does not comply with collective national values and patterns of “normal” everyday live. As for heteronormative structures hate speech and general discrimination go together with the attitude that compares homosexuality with sickness and morbidity and is challenging the morality of the majority. Homosexuality is frequently treated as something alien or strange, which is implemented from outside (western world) and not consistent with cultural memory or national myths. Excluded from public sphere, deviant sexuality is only tolerated in the privacy of one’s home. On the other hand, the global gay rights movement encourages sexual minorities in Post-Yugoslav states to ask for their human and civil rights after the democratic change in Serbia and the end of the Tuđman-era in Croatia.

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