Old Ties and New Binds: LGBT Rights, Homonationalisms, Europeanization and Post- War Legacies in Serbia Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Sonnet D’Amour Gabbard, B.A., M.A. Graduate Program in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies The Ohio State University 2017 Dissertation Committee: Jennifer Anne Suchland, Advisor Christine Keating Shannon Winnubst Copyrighted by Sonnet D’Amour Gabbard 2017 Abstract My dissertation examines the historic links between the anti-war activists in Serbia with the current efforts and work for LGBT justice and rights. As an interdisciplinary scholar, my work integrates a variety of epistemologies across disciplines by putting anti-war and LGBT activists experience in Serbia into conversation with one another to address unique vulnerabilities. Drawing from transnational feminist and queer critiques of governance, (homo)nationalism, and transnational sexuality studies, I consider how new non- heterosexual identity politics—with roots in anti-war activism—have surfaced in Serbia since the Kosovo War. I argue that it is at the intersection of anti-war and LGBT organizing that new and conflicting identity politics have emerged, in part as a reaction to a pro-war hyper-nationalism and neoliberal globalization. ii Dedication I write this in memory of Jill Benderly, who taught me to be unapologetically me and to fight until my last breath for justice and peace. I love you. I miss you. iii Acknowledgments When I think about the scores of people, creatures, and plant life that have helped me arrive at this journey I am overwhelmed with emotion and humility. I will do my best to acknowledge everyone, but given the amount of love and support I have received during my seven years as graduate student this surely won’t do y’all justice. First, and foremost, I must acknowledge my fearless and intrepid advisor, Jennifer Suchland, who has inspired, pushed, encouraged, cheered on, and challenged me to be the scholar that I am. Her wisdom, wit, and determination motivate me to do and be better every day. Thank you for wrangling in my overflowing thoughts, emotions, and energy. It is humbling to be in the presence of three phenomenal scholars, mentors, and teachers, but alas, I have had the utter fortune to work with Jenny, Shannon Winnubst, and Cricket Keating. Cricket, I will never forget that sunny afternoon sitting by Mirror Pond when I made up my mind to become a Buckeye. I am forever in your debt for bringing me to Ohio State. Shannon, you are the teacher and leader I strive to be someday. I appreciate your commitment to rigor, social justice, and education. Plus, mad props to your scarf and shoes game! To Amy Lind, thank you for telling me seven years ago that I am smart enough to do graduate school. Thank you for your mentorship throughout this seven year process. I am also full of gratitude and appreciation for other WGSS faculty who have mentored and supported me during my tenure at University of Cincinnati and Ohio State iv University. Thank you Jill Bystienski, Ashley Currier, Deb Meem, Lynn Itagaki, James Koschoreck, Guisela LaTorre, Treva Lindsey, Linda Mizejewski, Juno Salazar Parreñas, Anne Runyan, Wendy Smooth, and Mytheli Sreenivas. To my colleagues and cohort in graduate school and beyond, thank you. Taneem, you were our trailblazer and mentor in University Hall and I am honored to call you my friend. Brendan, I cannot think of a better counterpoint to my boisterous, confrontational, bombastic self. Your wisdom and calm keep me grounded and I love you for that. To Tiffany, if I could write a pusheen heart emoji cat expressing my feels for you I would. To Alex and Colleen, thank you for steadfast support during my time abroad, your sisterhood, and your sensible and thoughtful sartorial advice. Also, all the cards! Cindy. You are my rock. Thank you for all of the chocolate, One Direction singalongs, sonny angel babies, and for always being available for a late night cry/laugh/gossip session (even while on different continents). You are the Janelle to my Christine, the Niall to my Harry, and the Tina to my Linda. To my comrades and collaborators in Serbia, thank you for your love, support, and work to make this world better. Tijana, draga, ti si moj najbolje prijatelica u Srbiju. Volim te! Dunja, you are my sister, my heart, and one of my oldest and dearest friends. Jodi, thank you for your dry sense of humor and willingness to talk about possible futures. Lepa, thank you for your mentorship and your friendship. To all of the LGBT v and feminist activists I worked with during the past decade, thank you for letting me be a part of the radical and revolutionary work you are doing. Thank you to all of the amazing activist colleagues and friends here in Columbus (Tess, Lynaya, Haley, Indya, Maryam, Sara, Sam, Jacinta, etc.) and beyond (Gabi, Lauren, Libby, Samara, Rocio) for your tireless work and commitment to change. I am lucky to call you my comrades. Finally, thank you to my blood and chosen kin. To my parents, thank you for always holding on to me as I jump into the deep end. You both are the reason I became a teacher and why I fight for justice. To my seester, Syd, thank you for your sage-like wisdom, the constant snaps, and for your perpetual encouragement. Michael, thank you for being my life vest during times of tumult. Mary, thank you for your attentiveness and your care. I want to be you when I grow up! To Eddie, your entry into this world came at a pivotal time in all of our lives. You and your peers are the reason we do this work. To my chosen family, Tara and Ramona, thank you for letting Angus, Gracie, and I be a part of your little family. This project would not have come to fruition without your love and support for me and my fur babies. vi Vita 2001................................................................Frankfort Senior High School 2005................................................................B.A. Butler University 2012................................................................M.A. Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, University of Cincinnati 2012- present .................................................Graduate Teaching Associate, Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, The Ohio State University Publications Gabbard, Sonnet and Jill Bystydzienski. Role of women's/feminist organizations, Eastern and Central Europe," Encyclopedia of Gender and Sexuality Studies. Blackwell Publishing. 2016. Gabbard, Sonnet. “Preserving the Nation: Transitional Serbia, the European Union, and Homophobia,” in Finding Out: An Introduction to LGBT Studies, 2nd Edition, Deborah Meem, Michelle Gibson, and Jonathan Alexander Eds. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publishing. 2014. vii Gabbard, Sonnet. “Amy Lind, (ed.). Development, Sexual Rights, and Global Governance.” Book Review in International Feminist Journal of Politics, Vol. 14, Iss. 3, Taylor and Francis: 2012. Print. Fields of Study Major Field: Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies viii Table of Contents Abstract……………………………………………………………..……………...........ii Dedication………………………………………………..………..……………………iii Acknowledgements…………………………………………......…………..…………..iv Vita…………………………………………………………...…………….…………..vii Publications………………………………………………...…………..………...….....vii List of Figures ..………………………………………...…………………………….....x Chapter 1: Introduction ……………………………………………………………..…...1 Chapter 2: Literature Review ……………….……………………………………….....25 Chapter 3: Post-War Residue, Lesbian Separatism, and Imagined Communities……...55 Chapter 4: Parada Ponosa/Gay Pride in Serbia ………………………………………...96 Chapter 5: Neoliberal Privatization, Gentrification, and Grassroots Resistance...…….138 Chapter 6: Conclusion………………………………….……………………………...181 Bibliography………………………………………….………………………………..195 ix List of Figures Figure 1: Antigay Rioters Clash with Police in 2010…………..………….……..…..3 Figure 2: Photo of the Lila Inicijativa Zine made in 1989…………………………..59 Figure 3: Serbian Lesbian Meet Up in 2001………………………………….……..60 Figure 4: Women Protesting Masculine Violence………………………….…........65 Figure 5: Police barricade at Belgrade Pride Parade 2016………………..………..121 Figure 6: Women Kissing at Belgrade Pride Parade 2016…………………..……..123 Figure 7: Women walking in Belgrade Pride Parade 2016………………..……….124 Figure 8: Gay Swedish Policeman…………………..…………………..…………125 Figure 9: Turkish Speaker at Belgrade Pride……………………………………....127 Figure 10: Ne Davimo Beograd Protest …………………………………..……….178 x Chapter 1: Introduction Bombs, burning buildings, riots, and violent outbursts—all of these images at one point or another have been used to describe the former Yugoslav-state, Serbia. Over the past two decades the region has engaged in a number of wars and armed conflicts in Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia. Serbia also endured US-led NATO bombings in the capital Belgrade from March 24, 1999, to June 10, 1999, putting an end to the Serbian war with Kosovo. Amidst these conflicts the Serbian government transformed from being led by the totalitarian Slobodan Miliošević, to a democratically elected parliament. Now, as Serbia is about to join the European Union, a country and people once associated with bombs, barbarism, and brutality are embarking on a transformative journey. The journey to join “Europe” includes state recognition and protection of marginalized groups such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. But this move towards greater rights for LGBT