The Rainbow Compass: An argumentation framework for modern LGBT rights

Abstract

The overarching ambition of this master s thesis is to identify the character and intellectual basis of the arguments used in the political discourse regarding LGBT rights, in particular the issue of legal recognition of same-sex unions, using the case of Slovakia as the object of analysis. The analysis is performed on two dimensions – theoretical and practical. In the theoretical dimension, a general argumentation framework for and against legal recognition of same-sex unions is identified based on the analysis of heteronormativity, citizenship, human rights and the position of the Catholic Church. The framework is then applied in a content analysis of the political discourse in Slovakia during the parliamentary discussion on the failed proposal for registered partnership law in 2012.