Political Science

Main research areas

• Normative Political Theory 
• European and Global LGBT Politics 
• Queer International Relations

Current research

Breiding conducts research on LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans) politics in the European Union (EU), queer international relations and political theory. In his research he is especially interested in international polarization and divisions regarding LGBT equality, currently with a focus on the EU. Pro-/anti-LGBT divisions have become more noticeable in recent years within the EU and in international relations due to the emergence of so-called anti-gender politics and campaigns. Drawing on agonistic political theory, the project asks what it means for the EU to be ‘LGBT-friendly’ in a time where the value of sexual and gender diversity is increasingly up for debate. Doing so, the project explores how best to study the legitimacy of the EU's supranational efforts to promote and enforce LGBT equality in a way that takes into account such high levels of disagreement over sexual and gender diversity. It also studies how the European Commission and the European External Action Service justify their promotion and enforcement of LGBT equality, both within the EU and at the United Nations.