‘Russia Against the West’: Constructing Conflict between Traditional Values and LGBT Rights

In 2013 Russian president Putin signed the federal ‘anti-gay bill’, forbidding propaganda of so-called non-traditional sexual relations. The bill dealt another blow to the already vulnerable situation of gays and lesbians in Russia, as it contributes to and legitimizes homophobia and anti-gay violence. Moreover the law de facto criminalizes Russian LGBT activism. This negative development is all the more striking against the background of a global trend towards recognition of LGBT rights, the increasing strength of the global LGBT movement, and previous recognition of civil rights by Russia. Applying critical frame analysis I examine how state and non-state actors in Russia frame the issue of LGBT rights. I show how a conflict is constructed between ‘traditional Russian values’ and LGBT rights which empowers certain actors and disempowers Russian supporters of LGBT rights and their transnational alliances. I identify several frames linked to the construction of the Russian national identity, the communist past and the political system and its actors. The research is based on interviews and primary documents from Russian state and non-state actors. I connect the results of the critical frame analysis with an analysis of the shifting power relations in the international system. I contend that the negative trend concerning LGBT rights in Russia is part of a reconstruction of the Russian national interest. LGBT rights are constructed as part of the ‘Western’ frame and the increasing international power of ‘the West’. As Russia wants to regain structural power, it uses the LGBT issue as an example to ‘redefine the normal’ in international and national politics.