Emergence and Development of LGBTQ Studies in Post-Socialist Bulgaria

• Published in: Journal of homosexuality Vol. 67; no. 3; pp. 325 - 334
• Main Author: Darakchi, Shaban
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Routledge 23.02.2020; Taylor & Francis LLC
• Subjects: academia; Bourdieu, Pierre (1930-2002); Bulgaria; Discrimination; Eastern Europe; Education - trends; Female; Humans; LGBTQ people; LGBTQ scholars; LGBTQ Studies; Male; Personal experiences; Postcommunist societies; Research - trends; Scholarly Communication; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Socialism; Socialist societies; Universities; Violence; Bulgaria; academia; Eastern Europe; LGBTQ Studies; LGBTQ scholars
• ISSN: 0091-8369; 1540-3602; 1540-3602
• DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2018.1534413

This article explores the development of LGBTQ studies and scholarship in Bulgaria. In part, it brings to the forefront the personal experiences of some of the first Bulgarian scholars working on LGBTQ studies. The personal is interpreted in part through explorations of Bourdieu's concept of "symbolic violence." Elaborating on the challenges regarding the emergence and the development of LGBTQ studies on an institutional and personal level, I discuss three main topics: (1) the emergence and the development of LGBTQ scholarship and university courses in Bulgaria; (2) the main institutional obstacles and the "symbolic violence" within the academia against scholars dealing with LGBTQ subjects, including issues of funding, evaluation, and discrimination; and (3) the future development of the subject in Bulgaria, with a particular attention to the need for "LGBTQ studies solidarity" to overcome the disadvantaged position of LGBTQ scholars in post-socialist countries.