Good Tune Theory: An Exploration of LGBTQIA+ Peacebuilding in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

Good tune theory (GTT) is introduced in this article to advocate for the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people in Bosnia and Herzegovina's (BiH) ongoing peacebuilding efforts. GTT emerged from queer research conducted in 2022 and from the experiences and activism of 43 LGBTQIA+ people currently living in Bosnia, particularly in the post-peace accord context. Primarily, GTT argues that achieving true peace requires constant resistance against dominant systems and advocacy for enforcing and maintaining the promises made in peace agreements, especially for marginalized groups. The proposed theory uses the metaphor of a well-tuned guitar in which each string represents a critical step in peacebuilding, ultimately leading to the concept of “treasure-chest peace” (TCP). Using the example of BiH's legal reforms for queer rights, this work introduces TCP, which emphasizes the urgent need to protect and enforce these hard-won rights, thereby preventing their erosion. GTT further critiques current neoliberal and political peacebuilding frameworks for actively encouraging marginalization through the exclusion of queer rights. The theory also calls for a critical and intersectional approach, emphasizing the idea that queer identities cannot be separated from ethnic identities in the discussion of Bosnia's ethnic divisions. Grounded in an ethnopolitical discourse, GTT explores links with other marginalized ethnic groups, such as the Jewish and Roma communities, and suggests that collective struggles for liberties, human rights, and recognition can foster solidarity and strengthen resistance against a dominant patriarchal society. Therefore, GTT emphasizes queer voices while addressing the challenges and urgent needs of the LGBTQIA+ community in Bosnia.