Social tendencies: why people don't like gays in Russia

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

In recent years, the problem of same-sex sexual relations has become a bit too acute. And if in the West such relations have practically become the norm, in Russia they say almost a unanimous “no” on this matter. Suffice it to recall that the so-called "anti-gay" law recently adopted in the Russian Federation has found much more opponents in Western countries than in their native land. Answering the question why this is happening, someone develops a theory of a worldwide conspiracy, someone accuses the secret office, but there are also more constructive reflections on this matter.

Latent homosexuality has nothing to do with it

Defenders of homosexuals in Russia quite often put forward the theory that it is all about human biology. They say that a person wants physical intimacy with a representative of his gender, but he is scared and ashamed, and he pours out his desire into anger towards those who allow themselves.

As a result, everything supposedly turns out exactly as everyone's beloved grandfather Sigmund Freud claimed, if not for one "but". Of course, "latent homosexuality" and its sublimation into ordinary anger towards homosexuals within the framework of one particular individual looks very plausible. But, given the fact that only 1-2% of people in the world are born with a predisposition to homosexuality, 60% of the country's population cannot be “latent homosexuals” in any way. However, there is a grain of truth in this theory, and this grain is fear.

Homophonic conspiracy theory is not consistent

A fairly popular version in society is the assertion that the social conflict between the population with traditional sexual orientation and the "blue" part of society plays into the hands of the authorities. This is presented as another system of control over the masses, and as proof of this, the human rights activists of the “gay” cite an incredible number of various facts: from the actions of the Orthodox Church and the leading party in power of the Russian Federation, to the beatings of “gay” punks in dark alleys.

Many minority human rights defenders from Western countries adhere to this point of view, and as a protest they hold rallies and even make attempts to boycott the Sochi Olympics. The Russian government, in turn, allegedly hates gays so much and craves "control" that it is ready to neglect even such a global event. And everything in this theory converges, it seems, harmoniously and beautifully, if not for history and a drop of logic.

There have always been homosexuals, including in Russia. But such hostility arose long ago. Moreover, homophobes have tried to protest in the past, for example, against the appearance on the stage of show stars who shock the audience with their “unconventional”. True, until recently, these protests were rather sluggish and did not result in "popular anger." The latest events were catalyzed by social processes in Europe, which immediately spread to Russia. It was precisely the liberal sentiments towards the "gay" in the West that kindled the fire of hostility, which smoldered in Russia for a long time. And the "secret office" has nothing to do with it.

Prison culture and fear as components of the worldview

For a short but intense history of the USSR in prisons and camps, according to official statistics, every 70th citizen of a great country has visited. For comparison, in the United States today, one in 140 is sitting. In the USSR, there was someone in almost every family. And if not, then some of the friends, acquaintances, neighbors, colleagues, who were always not averse to introducing those who have passed this cup to the “thieves” culture, have visited places not so distant.

You can take a long time to understand the structure of prison society and the intricacies of thieves' culture. But in this case, the most important thing is that the zone is a closed community, where strength and power are considered the main values. In addition, society is initially homosexual. And in a same-sex society, forcibly deprived of heterosexual sex, it is sex that becomes a special value, acquiring an important social and ritual significance. And it is from here that the fear of “becoming gay” grows.

Suffice it to recall the thieves' roots of the word "fuck". In Russia, this word is understood as "multiplication by zero" and the transformation of a person into a thing. Hence the innate, if you will, "ingrained" fear of homosexuality. All this is complicated by the historical component.

In addition, the history of Russia developed in such a way that its citizens were practically unable to influence anything in their state, being in constant subordination. As a result, the fear of helplessness, coupled with the legacy of thieves' culture, combined with the fear of social "downfall". It should not be ruled out that a certain part of the sworn enemies of homosexuals are not so much afraid of gays as they envy them. But not at all because they are "latent homosexuals", as Freud's "admirers" claim. The fact is that a Russian person who lives with the fear of “being multiplied by zero” sees in these people the continuation of “life beyond fear”. They are homosexuals. They are no longer part of society. They are omitted. However, they continue to live and do it without fear, for their social position. And this is the subject of misunderstanding of homosexuality by the Russian person, the subject of fear and envy of those who were able to step over it.

The problem of homosexuality in the post-Soviet space cannot be viewed from a "Western" point of view. And before condemning or defending opponents or supporters, you should at least try to understand the entire “Russian specifics” of this problem.