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Are gay rights Islamophobic? A critique of some uses of the concept of homonationalism in activism and academia

Zanghellini, A. (2012) Are gay rights Islamophobic? A critique of some uses of the concept of homonationalism in activism and academia. Social and Legal Studies, 21 (3). pp. 357-374. ISSN 0964-6639

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To link to this item DOI: 10.1177/0964663911435282

Abstract/Summary

The concept of ‘homonationalism’ refers to deployments of gay rights for racist and Islamophobic ends, resulting in the consolidation of more sexually inclusive, but racially exclusionary, ideas of citizenship. This article critiques some of the analyses that the concept has inspired in both activist and academic contexts. The critique concentrates on two texts, showing that they make inappropriate rhetorical moves and inaccurate or unsubstantiated claims, and that rather than unearthing structural undercurrents of racism from certain texts or events, they project such structures onto them. While the validity of ‘homonationalism’ as an analytical category is not disputed, some of its propounders assume its explanatory power to be greater than it appears to be. The implications of this critique for gay rights activism and reform are explored.

Item Type:Article
Refereed:Yes
Divisions:Arts, Humanities and Social Science > School of Law
ID Code:30909
Publisher:Sage

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