Homosexuality in the Russia empire in the beginning of the 20th century: reasons for appearacne and forms of manifestation
Journal Title: Вісник Національного юридичного університету імені Ярослава Мудрого. Серія: філософія, філософія права, політологія, соціологія - Year 2016, Vol 3, Issue 30
Abstract
The article discusses the reasons for appearance and the forms of manifestation of homosexuality in the Russian Empire in the early 20th century. The author uses a wide range of sources, including the press materials and diaries of the Russian modernist writers, the students of the Kyiv Theological Academy. A considerable information layer is provided by the works of the American and Canadian literary historians, who give an evaluation in their articles on both the phenomenon of «sexual revolution» in Russia in the early 20th century and homosexuality as its component. Homosexuality in Russia had become some kind of a fashion trend, another example of following the western norms and values. Its spread was also driven by the «cult of victimhood», which was brought to the Russian Bohemia by the English writer Oscar Wilde who was imprisoned for same-sex sexual relations. The image of Wilde as the martyr is evident in erotic works of many Russian writers-modernists, particularly in the works of Mikhail Kuzmin. The favorable conditions for the spread of homosexuality in Russia were the popularity of psychoanalysis, the philosophical views of V. Rozanov, the atmosphere of the «Silver Age», and the general frustration of the young generation after the suppression of the revolution of 1905–1907. The sexualization of life of the Russian society took place at the growth of its apolitical mood, the interest in literature, the dipping into the activities of sports clubs, the popularity of drugs, and the individualization of life and «suicide epidemic». Without denying the natural character of homosexuality to a certain stratum of society, the article collects a number of arguments stating that in the Russian Empire in the early 20th century homosexuality was of the acquired nature as well. It was socially determined and for a certain part of society (the Bohemia and avant-garde) it was a path to new experiences and belief in their superhuman abilities. For another part of society (ordinary people) it was the easiest way of earning money for existence. The author emphasizes the moral rejection of homosexuality at the level of both moral conviction and criminality. For various forms of expressing homosexuality there would be an imprisonment from 3 months to 8 years. However, this did not prevent intellectuals from seeking new pleasures in the circle of same-sex partners.
Authors and Affiliations
М. Е Кругляк
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