Affective landscapes of systemic injustice among lesbian, gay, and bisexual people in North Macedonia

Slavcho Dimitrov; Ana Blazheva

doi:10.32798/zl.1084

Published: 2023-10-16

Vol. 59 No. 1 (2023)

Affective landscapes of systemic injustice among lesbian, gay, and bisexual people in North Macedonia

Slavcho Dimitrov , Ana Blazheva

Zeszyty Łużyckie

Section: Articles

https://doi.org/10.32798/zl.1084

Abstract

This paper explores the affective landscapes of systemic injustice faced by the lesbian, gay and bisexual persons in North Macedonia. The analyzed data stems from our qualitative research conducted in 2021 among 20 lesbian, gay, and bisexual people living in Skopje using a phenomenological, critical, and feminist approach. Our research applies a broader multidimensional and systemic method towards equality so as to overcome individualizing and reductive judicial-procedural perspectives on experiences of discrimination and (in)equality. A central concept for this analysis is Pierre Bourdieu’s notion of the habitus/bodily hexis, which helps bring to light embodiment of social structures. Affects are explored as not only subjective experience but a force for shaping relations, representing a key component of social dynamics and the (re)production of social structures. Furthermore, as part of the affective landscape of marginalization and experience of systemic injustice, phenomenology of vulnerability, shame, and belonging is discussed. To conclude, we look at collective actions of resistance and protest as integral experiences in building resilience and resistance in a state of constant systemic trauma, and at the role of critical art and cultural practices in North Macedonia as tools in alternative forms of struggles against affective injustice that move beyond identarian logics.

Keywords:

justice, affective injustice, affects, systemic trauma, shame, resistance, arts

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Dimitrov, S., & Blazheva, A. (2023). Affective landscapes of systemic injustice among lesbian, gay, and bisexual people in North Macedonia. Zeszyty Łużyckie, 59(1), 129–163. https://doi.org/10.32798/zl.1084

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Slavcho Dimitrov

slavco.coalition@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1864-9956

Affiliation:

Coalition MARGINS (Coalition for Sexual and Health Rights of Marginalized Communities), Skopje North Macedonia

Bio Statement:

Slavcho Dimitrov, PhD at the Faculty of Media and Communications “Singidunum”, Belgrade, Serbia. He holds a Master’s degree in Gender Studies and Philosophy from the Euro-Balkan Institute in Skopje, and a Master’s degree in Multidisciplinary Gender Studies from Cambridge University, and PhD at the Faculty of Media and Communications – SINGIDUNUM, Belgrade. He has worked as a teaching assistant at the Department of Law and Political Sciences at FON University and at the postgraduate Gender and Cultural Studies at the Euro-Balkan University. He is the founder of the international Summer School for Sexualities, Cultures, and Politics in Belgrade, and curator of Skopje Pride Weekend, festival for queer arts, culture, and theory. Dimitrov has published numerous papers in the field of cultural and gender studies, political philosophy, performance studies, embodiment and affects, and queer theory in regional and international journals and books. He is a recipient of AICA Macedonia – Ladislav Leshnikov Award, 2018 and Igor Zabel Award for Culture and Theory Grant, 2020.

Ana Blazheva

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1078-5687

Affiliation:

Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities - Skopje North Macedonia

Bio Statement:

Ana Blazheva, Ph.D., is a senior researcher / associate professor at the Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities – Skopje, holds a BA in psychology, an MA in sociology and gender studies, and a PhD in cultural studies. She is also a certified Gestalt psychotherapist working in private practice in Psihoterapika – Association for psychology and psychotherapy. She teaches qualitative research methodology and elective courses: gender policy and emotions and politics. Her research experience is mostly in qualitative research in the field of policy studies, gender, media, social inclusion, education, youth, etc. Her interests lie in an interdisciplinary approach towards emotions and politics.