The power of sex: culture, gender, and political legitimacy -- Putin the sex back in politics: gender norms, sexualization, and political legitimation in Russia -- Who's macho, who's gay?: pro- and anti-Kremlin activists gendering Russia's political leadership -- Fight club: gendered activism on patriotism, conscription, and pro-natalism -- Everywhere and nowhere: sexism and homophobia in Russian politics -- When pussy riots: feminist activism in Russia -- Conclusion. "The first time, do it for love": sexism, power, and politics under Putin
Is Vladimir Putin macho, or is he a 'fag'? Sperling investigates how gender stereotypes and sexualization have been used as tools of political legitimation in Putin's Russia. Despite their political polarization, regime allies and detractors alike have wielded traditional concepts of masculinity, femininity, and homophobia as a means of symbolic endorsement or disparagement of political leaders and policies. By repeatedly using machismo as a means of legitimation, Putin's regime opened the door to the concerted use of gendered rhetoric and imagery as a means to challenge regime authority
