Regulating homosexuality in Soviet Russia, 1956–91

Product Name: Homosexuality and Sex in the USSR - Untold Histories from the Khrushchev and Brezhnev Eras

"Homosexuality and Sex in the USSR" by Alexander is a groundbreaking exploration that challenges the long-held belief that sex and homosexuality were unmentionable topics in the Soviet Union. Focusing on the Khrushchev and Brezhnev eras (1956–82), this book fills a critical gap in our understanding of Soviet history by uncovering discussions and debates surrounding homosexuality during this period.

Drawing on previously undiscovered sources, Alexander reveals that from 1956 to 1991, a variety of professionals including doctors, educators, jurists, and police officers engaged in conversations about homosexuality. These discussions often had significant implications for the lives of homosexual individuals in the USSR, as they grappled with questions about whether homosexuality was a crime, a disease, or a normal variant of human sexuality.

Key Historical Insights:

1. Debates on Criminalization and Medicalization:
   
   • The book uncovers debates on whether homosexuality should be criminalized or treated as a disease. It also explores whether lesbianism should be criminalized and how Soviet authorities approached these issues.
2. Sex Education and Homosexuality Prevention:
   
   • Discussions around the role of sex education in preventing homosexuality are examined, revealing the Soviet state's attempts to control and influence sexual behavior through education.
3. GULAG and Prison Homosexuality:
   
   • Alexander delves into the role that the GULAG and prisons played in the spread and treatment of homosexuality across the USSR, highlighting the harsh realities faced by homosexuals within the Soviet criminal justice system.
4. Medical Treatments for Homosexuality:
   
   • The book details the medical treatments designed and offered by Soviet doctors in hospitals, as well as the procedures and medications used in prisons to "cure" homosexuality.
5. Impact on Gender Equality:
   
   • The discussions and policies revealed in this book are directly relevant to the broader context of gender equality, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5. The book offers critical insights into how the Soviet state influenced and regulated gender and sexual norms.

Why "Homosexuality and Sex in the USSR" is Essential:

• Unprecedented Insight: Provides a rare and detailed look at the discussions and policies surrounding homosexuality in the USSR, challenging conventional narratives.
• Historical Relevance: Sheds light on a previously obscure period in Soviet history, offering new perspectives on the Khrushchev and Brezhnev eras.
• Gender Studies Focus: Connects the Soviet approach to homosexuality with broader issues of gender equality, relevant to contemporary discussions on human rights and social justice.
• Richly Researched: Based on previously undiscovered sources, the book offers well-documented and compelling insights into the lives of homosexuals in the USSR.

Ideal for Scholars and Students of Soviet History and Gender Studies:

"Homosexuality and Sex in the USSR" is a vital resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in Soviet history, LGBTQ rights, and gender studies. By uncovering the hidden histories of sexual and gender norms in the USSR, Alexander's work contributes significantly to our understanding of how these issues were navigated in a complex and often repressive society.

Order your copy of "Homosexuality and Sex in the USSR" today and explore the untold histories of sexuality and gender in the Soviet Union!