Gay Rights and Europeanization Processes in Eastern Europe: the Case of Bill 2342 "On Amendments to Some Legislative Acts of Ukraine Concerning the Prevention and Combating of Discrimination in Ukraine"

Abstract

The study examines the political framing of Bill № 2342, which proposed the prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation in the labor sphere in Ukraine. Nineteen distinct frames developed by key political actors and interest groups were identified, united into four master-frames. The failure of the proponents of Bill 2342 to make their frames dominant in the public discussion is explained by the lack of consolidation within the pro-camp. The most resourceful proponents (political elites) shared the opponents’ assumptions about homosexuality and LGB rights, which limited their ability to construct alternative frames. Heterogeneous frames developed by LGBT and human rights organizations did not provide any coherent response to the strong “traditional values/norms” frame used by the opponents from churches and the religious right. The study contributes to understanding the conditions for effective political framing strategies and their role in establishing and maintaining an anti-gay consensus on civil and economic rights in post-communist countries.