Global ‘Unity and Sisterhood’

Abstract

This master thesis aims to analyse the organisation Lesbian and Gay Men Action (LIGMA) in Croatia and Women in Black (WiB) in Serbia employing the transnational (lesbian) feminist network to obtain various forms of support for their anti-war activism during the Bosnian and Croatian War (1991-1995). It adds to the body of historical and sociological research that is attempting to rehabilitate (post-)Yugoslav anti-war and pacifist viewpoints in the (lesbian) feminist population that have been largely ignored in recent studies of the wars of Yugoslav succession. This thesis uses a comparative analysis of the correspondence of Serbian (LIGMA) and Croatian (WiB) anti-war activists with the transnational (lesbian) feminist network through international media and transnational solidarity movements.The methodology supports the notion that they used transnational networks to support their activism, however, it adds a new insight, the primary sources provided a new perspective from the eyes of Croat and Serb activists and the direct communication with international media and solidarity movements. It argues that LIGMA and WiB, used the (lesbian) feminist network as a starting post towards the general population and state interest, which would be its end goal. In addition, it provided them with financial, advisory, and solidarity support, such as funding for campaigns, media attention, material support, and expressions of solidarity and recognition for their work, while differing in type of organisations and projects of anti-war activism. The thesis concludes with a comparison and is followed up by a call for further research on transnational lesbian solidarity and sisterhood.