Citation

Kuhar R, Svab A. J. Homosex. 2014; 61(8): 1091-1116.

Affiliation

a Faculty of Arts , University of Ljubljana , Ljubljana , Slovenia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00918369.2014.872492

PMID

24359463

Abstract

The article deals with the comparison of the characteristics, experiences and perceptions of everyday life of gays and lesbians living in rural and urban areas of Slovenia. We focus on the following thematic aspects: (1) coming out; (2) intimate partnerships; (3) the access and the use of gay infrastructure; (4) violence against gays and lesbians. The article also addresses and discusses the urban/rural divide as a Western construct that might not be completely applicable to other social and cultural contexts. Taking Slovenia as an example, this article questions the self-evidence of rural/urban divide as an analytical concept. On the basis of our research we conclude that this concept requires continuous revisions and re-interpretations in a concrete social and cultural context(s). The characteristics of gay and lesbian everyday life either in rural or in urban context in Slovenia lead to the conclusion that even within a specific social and cultural context, the concept of urban/rural divide should be used carefully, taking into account complexities of everyday lives and various factors that influence them.

Language: en