In this thesis, I discuss the history of non-normative sexualities and gender identities in the German Democratic Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany, during the period of 1945-1990. The...Show moreIn this thesis, I discuss the history of non-normative sexualities and gender identities in the German Democratic Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany, during the period of 1945-1990. The main question of this thesis is ‘What are the similarities and differences between transsexual experiences in the German Democratic Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany during the period of 1945-1990, and how do these experiences fit within the broader gay and lesbian history of their respective countries?’ This is placed within the broader historical context of the German East-West divide. Studying the history of sexualities and gender identities that defy the cisgender heterosexual societal norm helps deconstruct the prevalent myth of a universal, timeless, natural, and self-evident heterosexuality. This heteronormativity obscures the experiences of everyone outside these restrictive boundaries, resulting in a distorted and limited body of knowledge. There has been a growing historiography on gay and lesbian movements within the German Democratic Republic and Federal Republic of Germany, but transsexual history has been severely neglected. This thesis takes gay and lesbian history as a natural starting point and then goes on to show how transsexual people fit within and compare to that history, based on transsexual (auto)biographical narratives. Whilst some problems were shared, transsexual people faced their own specific issues and treatment by the state and society. Furthermore, the (auto)biographical transsexual narratives are placed within the broader theoretical framework laid out by Sandy Stone and Dean Spade. Stone and Spade argue that the medical establishment created a narrative that transsexual people had to adhere to if they wanted to obtain medical treatment. This narrative was copied by transsexuals in a self-conscious strategy to obtain treatment, and thus many autobiographical narratives adhered to a set of very traditional gender-norms. The case-studies presented in this thesis follow in some ways the traditional transsexual narrative, but also often create a powerful counter-discourse. This thesis shows a more nuanced vision on the East-West binary divide, that goes beyond the prevalent opposing stereotypes about the republics. Often, the German Democratic Republic is perceived as controlling, moralistic, traditional, static and oppressive, and the Federal Republic of Germany is perceived as liberalizing, tolerant, modern, flexible and free. I argue that these perceived opposed tendencies actually coexisted and were intertwined, as reflected in the LGBT+ history of the republics. Despite the fact that the German Democratic Republic’s legal situation seemingly enabled a more progressive legal situation sooner than the Federal Republic of Germany, it cannot be argued that the German Democratic Republic was more progressive than the Federal Republic of Germany. In both countries, the sexual revolution of the 1960s was a heterosexual revolution, since social attitudes remained homophobic and discrimination persisted. For transsexual people, both societies imposed conservative gender-norms and supplied carefully restrictive provisions. The different political and societal circumstances of the republics created different realities for LGBT+ subjects, but these circumstances disrupt the perceived dichotomy between the German Democratic Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany.Show less
This thesis will use qualitative research methods in order to bridge the gap between the Post-Soviet and the Postcolonial studies. Over the past years Postcolonial literature began dominating...Show moreThis thesis will use qualitative research methods in order to bridge the gap between the Post-Soviet and the Postcolonial studies. Over the past years Postcolonial literature began dominating Universities across the world. The theories presented by Postcolonial scholars are gaining more legitimacy in the international arena, providing an insight into the identity crisis experienced by the global society. This piece will analyse the two main concepts presented by Postcolonial scholars: the Empire and Modernity. The concepts will be examined in the light of Post-Soviet literature. The interrelation of Postcolonial theory with the narrative on Soviet dominance in Eastern Europe will unveil the extent to which U.S.S.R can be considered as a colonial Empire. The Soviet rule did not only have the negative consequences on the material and social infrastructure of Eastern European nations, the colonial power has also contributed to the creation of a stereotype of “Eastern bloc” and the belief in a clear cut divide of Europe, which also is referred as the “Iron Curtain”. Such stereotypes still inhabit the imagination of many across the world. Nevertheless such conception of Eastern Europe is inaccurate as portrayed by the comparison of the historical narratives from Romania and Poland in the later part of the thesis. The article will conclude with the manner in which these stereotypes have been resisted within and outside of the Eastern side of the “Iron Curtain””.Show less
