The term ‘homonationalism’ has been coined to designate the assimilation of homosexuality by Western nationalist projects (Puar 2007). First appearing in the US context, the term has been taken up in Europe to criticize the deployment of progressive sexual imaginaries in anti-immigration politics, particularly in France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Yet, a question remains open as to how we shall conceptualize this phenomenon on the European scale; that is, how to think of European homonationalism. This chapter suggests a way of understanding homonationalism as a European phenomenon by taking the case of Italy as an entry point. Through the analysis of legal, political and cultural texts (including LGBT activist discourses), the chapter elucidates the divide between ‘progressive’ Europe and ‘backward’ Italy, illustrating how Europe is produced at its Southern borders as a site of sexual exceptionalism.

"In Europe it's Different": Homonationalism and Peripheral Desires for Europe

Colpani, Gianmaria;Habed, Adriano Jose'
2014-01-01

Abstract

The term ‘homonationalism’ has been coined to designate the assimilation of homosexuality by Western nationalist projects (Puar 2007). First appearing in the US context, the term has been taken up in Europe to criticize the deployment of progressive sexual imaginaries in anti-immigration politics, particularly in France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Yet, a question remains open as to how we shall conceptualize this phenomenon on the European scale; that is, how to think of European homonationalism. This chapter suggests a way of understanding homonationalism as a European phenomenon by taking the case of Italy as an entry point. Through the analysis of legal, political and cultural texts (including LGBT activist discourses), the chapter elucidates the divide between ‘progressive’ Europe and ‘backward’ Italy, illustrating how Europe is produced at its Southern borders as a site of sexual exceptionalism.
2014
9781137391759
European homonationalism, gay marriage, Italian sexual politics, Southern Europe, Mediterranean homosexuality, modern homosexuality
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11562/862370
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