‘Pinkwashing’ or Protection? A Qualitative Analysis of the City of Copenhagen’s LGBTI+ Policy

Abstract: Exploring the City of Copenhagen’s LGBTI+ policy, the aim of the thesis is to analyse problems involved in implementing policies within the field of identity politics. The City of Copenhagen has formulated a policy addressing the conditions of LGBT+ people in Copenhagen. However, the implementation of an equalities policy can face problems, as structural discrimination by the wider society is deeply entrenched. The analysis is based on Sara Ahmed’s (2012) ‘non-performativity’, which is when actions are said to have been brought about, when in fact they haven’t. By analysing the LGBTI+ policy as well as conducting interviews based on non-performativity, the objective is to explore to what extent the policy provides the leeway for municipal workers’ discretion in implementation. Overall, the findings show that the likelihood of implementation depends greatly on how the policy initiatives are constructed and prioritised. However, the actions taken to strengthen the focus on LGBT+ at work were more a matter of ‘pressure from below’ than a result of the LGBTI+ policy. Thus, while the policy cannot be said to be fully non-performative, the policy and organisational culture contain elements which hinder meaningful implementation of the vision and goal.