Dr Jon Binnie and Dr Christian Klesse: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Politics in Poland: Activism and Transnational Migration

Date: 26 October 2011, 4.00pm
Location: Seminar room 9.01 - Social Sciences Building

Centre for Interdisciplinary Gender Studies Visiting Speaker Seminar Series

Title:  Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Politics in Poland: Activism and Transnational Migration.  Dr Jon Binnie and Dr Christian Klesse, School of Geography, Manchester Metropolitan University

Abstract:

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Politics in Poland: Activism and Transnational Migration

This paper examines the relationship between transnational migration and activism around LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) politics in Poland. EU accession in 2004 led to a significant migration of Poles to EU member states particularly the United Kingdom. At the same time EU accession witnessed an intensification of homophobia in political discourse associated with the neopopulist and nationalist League of Polish Families and Law and Justice political parties, and the banning of, and violent attacks against marches for equality and tolerance.

This paper examines the connections between post-EU accession migrant flows from Poland and LGBTQ activism. It is argued that migration is an essential element of transnational LGBTQ activism. The material processes of activism frequently involve migration. Migration is a significant element of networking and a practice which shapes and enhances forms of activism through inspiration and translation. The discussion draws on material from a research project on transnational dimensions of activism around sexual politics in Poland, which took place between April 2008 and June 2009.

The argument shows that there is concern among those engaged in LGBTQ activism in Poland about LGBTQ Poles leaving the country because of the high degree of oppression at home. At the same time there is a (sometimes problematic) investment in transnational migration for the liberalisation of attitudes of heterosexual Poles.

Keywords: Transnational Migration, Sexuality, Queer Politics, Poland, Transnational Activism