Poza horyzont heteronormatywności. Ruchy społeczne lesbijek i gejów
Beyond the Horizon of (Hetero)normativity: Gay and Lesbian Social Movements

Summary/Abstract: I present an analysis of Polish LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual nad transsexual) movement which is still relatively small. As a starting point I propose a definition of LGBT as a social movement, whose activity seems to be guided principally by the idea of transforming a heteronormative society into one respecting sexual difference. In the course of analysis deriving from Michel Foucault’s knowledge/power theory, I arrive at the conclusion that LGBT functions mainly through a paradoxical appropriation of antihomosexual expert discourse which hugely affects its dynamics and type of activity. Precisely this kind of appropriation has determined the stages of LGBT world movement which I discuss in this paper, with special emphasis on changes of strategy aimed to gain political impact and related changes in the way collective identity of lesbians and gays is constructed. Against this background the Polish LGBT movement appears less than modest and, in my opinion, is just setting out on its specific road of development. I conclude that it is not likely that a strong lesbian and gay movement resembling similar American organizations will emerge in Poland; what can be expected is a comprehensive "freedom" movement formed as a coalition of groups within the so-called New Left, and including, besides LGBT, various environment protection groups, feminist organizations, pacifist and anti-war movements, and others.

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