Presence of Queer Sexuality in Memories of Latvian Non-Homosexuals of the Soviet Era

The research aims to analyse oral history interviews of heterosexual people about their experience with homosexuals during the Soviet times. Eight interviews were selected for the analysis based on two criteria – the research participant belongs to the Soviet generation, and he/she has personally known homosexuals during the Soviet times. The paper presents interviews as a primary source, illuminating several challenges with obtaining the interviews and their interpretation. In addition, common narratives of communicative memories’ evidence and their influence on current views of homosexuals in Latvian society, including its historical metanarrative and historical record, which relies on the nation’s victimisation during the Soviet times, are analysed.