Violent Affections Book Reveals LGBTQI Hate Crimes in Russia

Author: UCD Research & Innovation
Author Contact: ucd.ie
Published: 2nd Mar 2023
Peer-Reviewed Publication: N/A
Additional References: Literature Publications

Summary: Dr. Alexander Kondakov highlights devastating impact of anti-queer rhetoric in his new book Violent Affections revealing techniques of power behind LGBTQI hate crimes in Russia.

Main Document

University College Dublin (UCD) Researcher Dr. Alexander Kondakov launched his new book Violent Affections (2022, UCL Press) in UCD on 2 March 2023.

Violent Affections reveals the techniques of power that have emboldened hate crimes against queer people in Russia over the last decade.

In 2013, Russia enacted the so-called "gay propaganda" law - a censorship legislation banning LGBTQI-related content from circulation and LGBTQI activists from organising public events. Through analysis of over 300 criminal cases of anti-queer violence before and after this law was introduced, the book draws attention to the devastating consequences of anti-queer rhetoric: murders, injuries, kidnappings and other violent crimes, which doubled after the law was introduced.

Author and Assistant Professor at UCD School of Sociology, Dr Kondakov says:

"It is commonly assumed that a decision to commit violence is taken individually by the perpetrators. In my analysis, however, I link that decision directly to political homophobia. I suggest that in every individual decision to kill or injure a gay person, there is a share that belongs to government officials who disseminate hate."

(Article continues below image.)

(Continued...)

The book explores the social mechanisms that impact anti-queer violence as evidenced in the reviewed criminal cases, connecting this to the political violence aimed at queer lives more generally. By bringing to light stories of LGBTQI people in Russia, this important research raises awareness of the senseless violence taking place, and illustrates the dire impacts of discriminatory censorship laws.

Violent Affections is praised as 'immediately relevant in the contemporary period of misinformation campaigns and the influence of technology in the production of truth. Violent Affections demonstrates the interweaving of government, law, and society from a discursive technological standpoint founded on centuries of socio­historical knowledge.' (Journal of Homosexuality, January 2023).

In this volume, Kondakov expands upon queer theory and affect theory to conceptualise what is referred to as neo-disciplinary power, developing an original explanation of how contemporary power relations are changing from those of late modernity as envisioned by Foucault's Panopticon to neo-disciplinary power relations of a much more fragmented, fluid and unstructured kind - the Memeticon.

The book launch took place on Thursday 2 March 2023 at 5pm in The Campus Bookshop, UCD, featuring a discussion with the author and comments from Jennifer Schweppe (University of Limerick), one of Ireland's leading scholars of hate crime.

The book is available for free download and for purchase in various formats at https://www.uclpress.co.uk/products/192307

References and Source(s):

Violent Affections Book Reveals LGBTQI Hate Crimes in Russia | UCD Research & Innovation (ucd.ie). SexualDiversity.org makes no warranties or representations in connection therewith. Content may have been edited for style, clarity or length.

Post to Twitter Add to Facebook

Latest Literature Publications
The above information is from our reference library of resources relating to Literature that includes:
	Dr. Tatiana’s Sex Advice to all Creation by Olivia Judson– a book review The Definitive Guide to the Evolutionary Biology of Sex: A delightful opportunity to watch things get weird and wild in the name of science and sex. Publish Date: 14th Jun 2023
	Delta of Venus: Erotica by Anais Nin - Book Review Book review of Delta of Venus, a collection of fifteen erotic short stories. Publish Date: 28th Apr 2023 - Updated: 29th Apr 2023
	Mansplaining: Importance of Discourses that Expose Sexist Practices Research in the book: Toxic Masculinity, Men, Meaning and Digital Media with a chapter on sexist practices. Publish Date: 23rd Mar 2023
	Violent Affections Book Reveals LGBTQI Hate Crimes in Russia Dr. Alexander Kondakov highlights devastating impact of anti-queer rhetoric in his new book Violent Affections revealing techniques of power behind LGBTQI hate crimes in Russia. Publish Date: 2nd Mar 2023