Homosexuality in Russia

Essay # 46221

European Studies > Race, Class, Gender Issues (incl. Ethnic Minorities)
Gender and Sexuality > Homosexuality
History > Russian

Examines reactions to homosexuality in Russia from the pre-revolution era to the present.

1,900 words () | 11 sources | APA | 2001 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper shows that the conditions that exist today in the treatment of homosexuals in Russia are comparable to those in the early 19th century. The Bolshevik's misplaced hatred of all things not heterosexual stems from their hatred of the aristocratic and upper-class culture. The paper argues that their revolution and the subsequent mass destruction of all gay culture in Russia has set back the progressive equal rights movement by nearly a century.

From the Paper:

"The views in Russia toward homosexuality have fluctuated greatly throughout history along with the fluctuations in government. While it was never completely accepted before the revolution in 1917, when the Bolsheviks came into power, however, a complete elimination of all things representing the former government " including homosexuality " came about. Any form of sexuality not accepted by the leaders became a crime comparable to treason and an issue too taboo to discuss. Even today, after governmental rule has changed hands again, the Bolshevik view of hatred and bias against all those out of the norm has lived on."