Organized sessions

Organizer(s):

Rahil Roodsaz (r.roodsaz@uva.nl)
Katrien De Graeve (katrien.degraeve@ugent.be)

Language(s) of the session:

English

Format of the session:

Paper presentation

NON-MONOGAMIES BEYOND THE PROGRESSIVE-VERSUS-NORMATIVE DIVIDE

Session abstract:

A growing number of ‘non-normative’ constructions of intimate and sexual bonds have been identified and studied in the interdisciplinary field of non-monogamies, such as polyamory, open relations, relationship anarchy, living apart together or living together apart. On the one hand, these constructions of intimacy and sexuality are investigated based on their promise of liberation and political potential to provide an alternative for monogamy as a heteropatriarchal institution. On the other hand, their entanglement in the very neoliberal values and demands of flexibility, happiness, hyper-individuality and productivity which they seek to overcome, are being questioned. This panel welcomes contributions from different disciplinary backgrounds which engage with one or more of the following questions and topics:

• How do intimacy and sexuality become constructed in non-monogamous relationships?  What are the underlying values and the required skills enabling such constructions? To what extent do these values and skills transgress or reinforce neoliberal imperatives, such as flexibility, happiness, hyper-individuality and productivity? To what extent do they disrupt/reinforce the ways in which neoliberal ideology defines private and public spaces?
• How do constructions of non-monogamy intersect with various axes of difference, including class (e.g. through the promotion of certain class-based skills of negotiation and communication), gender (e.g. through the promotion of certain ‘feminine’ skills of communication and mutuality or ‘male’ values of sexual accumulation) and race (e.g. through identitarian strategies as opposed to practice-based modes of sexuality and intimacy)?
• The implied progressiveness of non-monogamous relationships becomes clear through references such as ‘consensual’ non-monogamy as opposed to non-consensual, often religious-based, forms of non-monogamy. To scrutinize this hierarchal binary (progressive-versus-backward), problematize the underlying secularist and liberal notion of autonomy, and broaden the scope of ‘non-normative’ intimacies and sexualities, we also invite contributions focusing on religious and non-Western constructions of non-monogamy.

Abstracts of max 250 words, as well as your name(s), affiliation(s) (optional) and/or scholarly interests (described by a max. of 5 keywords) and contact details, should be sent to r.roodsaz@uva.nl and katrien.degraeve@ugent.be before April 15th, 2019.

Organizer(s):

Joseli Maria Silva (UEPG – Brazil)
joseli.genero@gmail.com

Marcio Jose Ornat (UEPG – Brazil)
geogenero@gmail.com

Eduarda Ferreira (CICS.NOVA, Lisboa – Portugal)
e.ferreira@fcsh.unl.pt

Language(s) of the session:

Portuguese, Castilian and English

Format of the session:

Paper presentation

RIGHT-WING POLICIES, NEOLIBERALISM AND THE CENSORSHIP OF KNOWLEDGE ON GENDER AND SEXUALITIES IN EDUCATIONAL AND RESEARCH SPACES

To submit an abstract (around 250 words) and for informal inquiries, please send an email to: Joseli Maria Silva (joseli.genero@gmail.com); Marcio Jose Ornat (geogenero@gmail.com); Eduarda Ferreira (e.ferreira@fcsh.unl.pt).

Session abstract:

The session objective is to discuss the advancement of moral standards promoted by conservative political and religious groups, linked to nation projects, as a threat to the production of knowledge on gender and sexualities in educational and research spaces. The far-right political agenda in various countries has created a demonising discourse of the feminist and LGBTI movements as destructive agents of the family and the nation, and as such, the social enemies to be defeated. The electoral campaigns of recent years in several countries have been marked by public debate on homophobia, transphobia, racism, misogyny and xenophobia. The conservative discourse establishes, through the mass media, collective fears of social transformation, while the minority rights have become perceived as dangerous to the maintenance of the economic, political and social order. Discursive production around the need to protect the heterosexual Christian family and the nation as a response to the advancement of citizens’ rights of socially vulnerable groups turns these same citizens into infamous characters who endanger the nation’s projects. The educational and scientific production spaces are troubled, especially in countries whose extreme right-wing electoral success has put into practice the plans to combat the ‘enemies of the nation’ (militants of social movements, feminists, members of left-wing parties, LGBTI people). This implies the establishment of mechanisms of censorship, restriction of scientific freedom and the growth of stigmas around themes on sexualities and gender. Politicizing scientific research on geographies of sexualities in highly conservative political contexts is a challenge that requires the establishment of strategies of networks of support and solidarity.

In this sense, this session opens the way for the presentation of papers on the following topics:

• Interrelations between hegemonic and counter hegemonic knowledge production
• Experiences of queering educational and research spaces
• Relationship between neoliberal politics, extreme right and religion and the anti-science initiatives
• Censorship and scientific production
• Queer and decolonial methodologies
• Feminist struggle strategies and queer theory for coping with censorship
• Comparative aspects in different countries and regions of the interplay of these discourses and to the negotiation scholars face with regards to their work
• Different feminist methods of studying the educational and research spaces

CHAMADA DE TRABALHOS (Português):

POLÍTICAS DE EXTREMA DIREITA, NEOLIBERALISMO E A CENSURA AO CONHECIMENTO SOBRE GÊNERO E SEXUALIDADES NOS ESPAÇOS EDUCACIONAIS E DE PESQUISA
O objetivo da sessão é discutir o avanço das pautas morais promovidas por grupos políticos e religiosos conservadores, conectadas com os projetos de nação e cidadania, como ameaça à produção de conhecimento sobre gênero e sexualidades nos espaços educacionais e de pesquisa. A agenda política de extrema direita tem criado um discurso demonizador dos movimentos feministas e LGBTI como agentes destruidores da família e da nação, constituindo, por sua vez, os inimigos sociais a serem combatidos em vários países. As campanhas eleitorais dos últimos anos em vários países foram marcadas pelo debate público em torno da homofobia, transfobia, racismo, misogenia e xenofobia. Ao mesmo tempo, o discurso conservador instaurou, através dos meios de comunicação, medos coletivos da transformação social. A busca de direitos de minorias tornou-se perigosa para a manutenção da ordem econômica, política e social. A produção discursiva em torno da necessidade de proteção da família heterossexual cristã e da nação como resposta aos avanços de direitos cidadãos de grupos vulnerabilizados socialmente construiu personagens infames que colocam em risco os projetos nacionais. Os espaços educacionais e de produção científica estão em disputa, notadamente em países cujo sucesso eleitoral da extrema direita tem colocado em prática os planos de combate aos ‘inimigos da nação’ (militantes de movimentos sociais, feministas, filiados de partidos de esquerda, pessoas LGBTI). Isso implica a instauração de mecanismos de censura, cerceamento de liberdade científica e do crescimento de estigmas em torno de temas sobre sexualidades e gênero. Politizar o fazer científico sobre geografias das sexualidades em contextos políticos altamente conservadores é um desafio que requer a instituição de estratégias de redes de apoio e solidariedade.

Nesse sentido, esta sessão abre caminho à apresentação de papers nos seguintes temas.

• inter-relações entre produção hegemônica e contra hegemônica de conhecimentos
• experiências de queerizar espaços educacionais e de pesquisa
• relação entre política neoliberal, extrema direita e religião no combate à ciência
• censura e produção científica
• metodologias queer e decoloniais
• estratégias de luta feministas e teoria queer para enfrentamento da censura
• aspetos comparativos em diferentes países e regiões da interação destes discursos e a negociação que investigadores/as têm de fazer no seu trabalho
• diferentes metodologias feministas de investigação de espaços educacionais e de pesquisa

Para submeter um resumo (cerca de 250 palavras) e para questões relacionadas com esta sessão, por favor envie um email para: Joseli Maria Silva (joseli.genero@gmail.com); Marcio Jose Ornat (geogenero@gmail.com); Eduarda Ferreira (e.ferreira@fcsh.unl.pt)

Organizer(s):

Gilly Hartal, the Gender Studies Program, Bar-Ilan University
Gilly.hartal@biu.ac.il

Valerie De Craene, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven & Cosmopolis, Geography, VUB
valerie.decraene@kuleuven.be

Language(s) of the session:

English

Format of the session:

Paper presentation

IS QUEER GEOGRAPHY FEMINIST? A DISCUSSION OF DISCIPLINE, CONNECTIONS AND BOUNDARIES

Session abstract:

Feminism is many times described as a theory from which geographies of sexualities, as a field of study, developed – epistemologically, methodologically and theoretically (Knopp, 2007). Twenty-five years after Butler’s foundational work was published, when geographies of sexualities is a flourishing sub-discipline, we wish to reexamine the interconnections between current feminist and queer analytical frameworks, their objects of inquiry, epistemologies, methodologies and ethics.

We are mindful of the fact that there are texts that discuss these connections and some that bring together and even contest such connections (Alexander, 1994; Knopp, 2007; Nast, 2002; Oswin, 2016; Puar, 2002; Richardson, 2007; Richardson, McLaughlin and Casey, 2006). Specifically, we follow in the footsteps of the scholarship on lesbian geographies (Browne, 2007; Browne and Ferreira, 2015; Nash and Bain, 2007; Podmore, 2015; Valentine, 1995, 2013) and trans* studies (Namaste, 2000; Doan, 2007; Browne, Nash & Hines, 2010). The questions we wish to bring to the fore concern the kinds of theoretical connections and alliances that are being made, not only between scholarship on lesbians, transgenders and feminist theory, but between all aspects of geographies of sexualities and feminist theory.

In this session we broadly ask what the relationships between gender and sexuality are. Specifically, we wish to ask about contemporary interconnections of feminist theory/post-feminist theory and thought and geographies of sexualities. Thus, this session will broadly ask what the fault lines between current feminist and queer geographies are; how do geographies of sexualities employ current feminist tools of inquiry and what does the employment of current feminist debates and theory within queer writing entail.

We invite papers on, but not restricted to, the following topics:

• The wave structure, is there a fourth feminist wave? and how does it affect geographies of sexualities
• Political subjectivity
• Intersectionality and interlocking social differences
• Current understandings of feminist and queer solidarity
• Queer and feminist methodologies
• The body, embodiment and haptic geographies
• Consent, sexual consent and #MeToo
• Post-humanism and transhumanism within feminist and queer theory
• Asexuality
• Affect theory
• Feminist and queer activism
• Time, temporality and queer and feminist futures
• Trans* studies
• (homo)Nationalism and (sexual) citizenship
• Writing different, queering academic writing practices and feminist writing
• Diaspora, globalization
• Identities: ethnicity, race, class, age and ableism
• Kinship and belonging

The conference is scheduled for 26-28 September 2019 and will be held at the Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague. Paper proposals (max 250 words), as well as your name(s), affiliation(s) (optional) and/or scholarly interests (described by a max. of 5 keywords) and contact details, should be sent before April 15th, 2019 to: Gilly Hartal and Valerie De Craene gilly.hartal@biu.ac.il  and/or valerie.decraene@kuleuven.be

Timeline

April 15th: deadline submission abstracts

April 20th: Notification of decision of inclusion in session

Organiser:

Dr Marta Olasik,  Avant Project (Centre for Philosophical Research), Poland
m.olasik@uw.edu.pl

Language(s) of the session:

English

Format of the session:

Paper presentation

THE FUTURE(S) OF LESBIAN GEOGRAPHIES, SUBJECTIVITIES, AND CITIZENSHIPS: ACKNOWLEDGING A VARIETY OF LOCAL DIMENSIONS OF LESBIAN(-FEMINIST) SCHOLARSHIP, ACTIVISM, AND BEYOND

Abstract / CFP:

The proposed session seeks to explore a plethora of conceptual and/or empirical questions related to the lesbian presence—and absence—both within geography (be it geographies of sexualities, queer geographies, or feminist geographies), and within larger social, political, and academic contexts. Since lesbianity (sic!) remains a highly contested area socially, academically, and politically, this session focuses specifically on lesbian lives and bodies studied in spaces and discourses. In this light, the very broad theme—as well as a general objective—is to give voice to lesbian experiences from within a variety of contexts.

It is particularly significant that all sorts and facets of hegemonic discourses should be avoided when inviting, and thinking about, women’s sexual and gendered stories. Therefore, non-Western interpretations and reflections are especially welcome, as well as presenters are encouraged to transgress disciplinary, conceptual, methodological, and discursive boundaries by engaging in the question of lesbian agency from multiple points of view and positionalities. In short, how can contemporary debates within geography, and beyond, contribute to the development of lesbian meanings across spaces and places? What is the future of lesbian subjectivities and lesbian feminisms? Both theoretical and practical responses are possible and welcome. Broad themes to be explored within this session include (but are not limited to):

• reflections on different dimensions of lesbian subjectivity
• explorations of (queer) female sexualities
• re-conceptualising the lesbian
• re-constructing lesbian citizenships
• the future of, and possibilities for, new lesbian feminisms
• progress within, and backlashes against, lesbian feminisms
• lesbian feminism(s) and social change(s)
• lesbian scholarship and activisms
• lesbian places, spaces, and modes of becoming
• the role of spatiality in engaging in female sexual and gendered auto-creation
• lesbian situated knowledges
• lesbian transgressions of the ‘the private and the public’ binary
• gendered and sexual reflexivity in geography
• the future of female gendered and sexual non-normativities within geography

The preferred language of the session is English. Scholars and authors from a variety of localities as well as numerous social and academic contexts are encouraged to submit proposals of papers/presentations that will last 15 minutes, with additional time allocated for a discussion. Submissions should include an abstract of about 250 words, an affiliation (if any), scholarly interests (in ca. 5 words/phrases), and an e-mail address. This should be sent by 15th April, 2019, to the following address: m.olasik@uw.edu.pl.

Organizer(s):

Yossi David, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz;

Godfried Asante, Drake University

sexualitysurveillance@gmail.com

Language(s) of the session:

English

Format of the session:

Paper presentation

SEXUALITY, SECURITY AND SURVEILLANCE IN DIGITAL SPACES

Session abstract:

Networked platforms have become fully integrated in almost every aspect of everyday life in the digital age. In particular, notions of digital activism through digital mobilization have become deeply intertwined in civil society groups, non-profit and LGBTIQ+ organizations. These platforms are used, particularly, by marginalized groups to make visible various human rights abuses and also create safe spaces outside of, but in relation to the daily varied forms of hetero/homonormativities. Conversely, state officials and moral entrepreneurs are continuously stretching their communications to networked platforms in order to voice their discontent with emerging voices against “traditional” and nativist’s discourses. Their tactics involves state funded surveillance of marginalized virtual communities and individual social media accounts. Nonetheless, the nation-state is a heterogeneous actor and in this global neoliberal times, the relationship between the nation-state and “sexual dissidents” is increasingly becoming more complex. As such, this panel aims to upend and make visible, the various forms of state regulation and surveillance ranging from the commodification of sexual difference to the forms of queer modes of being, relating and belonging that have emerged to resist, transform and subvert such regulatory regimes, especially in non-western contexts (middle-east, Africa, Asia, south and central America). While the focus of this panel is on non-western contexts, we are also aware that the boundaries between the west and the non-west is malleable and sometimes blurred as bodies migrate or seek refuge in other nations, thereby creating a complex system of transnational regulatory regimes and surveillance.

This panel focuses on aspects of social media (Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, etc.) by elucidating, analyzing and examining the blurred boundaries of safety and security in digital spaces by incorporating analysis of opportunities and challenges associated with sexuality, security and surveillance in digital spaces. Each essay investigates different aspects of security and safety, and how its complexities manifest in social media platforms. The essays will also explore the construction of social, digital and physical borderlands through candid and nuanced narratives that are both distinctively personal and contextually diverse. We thereby, focus on non-western contexts in order to contribute to the theoretical discussion concerning digital spaces and its implications on civil societies in places where the local and global tend to have uneasy tensions.

This session will explore the role of sexuality, security and surveillance in digital spaces in various scales, contexts, places and spaces.

We seek submissions that critically investigate, but are not limited to:

• Paradoxes in the practice or discourses around sexuality, security and surveillance in digital spaces.
• The politics of sexuality, security and surveillance in digital spaces
• The boundary work and policing work around sexuality, security and surveillance in digital spaces
• The ways in which sexuality, security and surveillance is framed, produced and negotiated within social movements and grassroots (digital) activism groups.
• Bisexual and transgender identities and security and surveillance in digital spaces
• Intersections of race, gender, class, ability, sexuality, body and nation, and its relation to security and surveillance in digital spaces.
• Sexuality, security and surveillance in digital spaces and disability.
• Sexuality, security and surveillance in digital spaces and the diaspora.
•  Transnational coalitional possibilities under surveillance and security

Please submit abstracts (250 words maximum) to sexualitysurveillance@gmail.com by April 10, 2019. Questions or comments about the session are also welcomed.

Organizer(s):

Jesko Meissel (jesko.meissel@leibniz-irs.de)

Thomas Wimark (thomas.wimark@humangeo.su.se)

Language(s) of the session:

English

Format of the session:

Paper presentation

QUEERING THE FIELD OF PLANNING: BRINGING SEXUALITY TO URBAN GOVERNANCE AND PLANNERS

Session abstract:

Despite the fact that sexuality is a theme that planners deal with in their daily practice, the topic remains non-present in key planning journals, such as Progress in Planning, Planning theory, Land use policy, Transport policy, Journal of Transport geography, Journal of the American Planning Association (but see Smart & Klein, 2013). While there have been important attempts to effectively ‘queer’ planning as an academic discipline (see Doan 2015, Frisch 2002), planners that deal with a range of planning issues in relation to sexual minorities or with a more general questioning of a heteronormative field, often need to look to other disciplines for advice and discussions of sexuality. In closely related fields, such as urban studies, human geography and sociology, the relationship between the production of space and sexuality is well described and researched. Yet, in the key planning journals, sexuality is predominantly reduced to discussions of a multicultural city (Fincher et al., 2014) or a negligible facet of intersectionality (Osborne, 2015). Moreover, most research only considers specific urban sites and does not pay attention to more general practices and scales of inclusion beyond LGBTQ-friendly metropolises and urban areas. In this call for papers, we seek to bring sexuality into the core of planning and destabilize the notion of planning as neutral and objective. We call for critical analyses, experiences, and interventions of the planning field through the lens of the sexual. We understand planning as an umbrella concept for urban/rural/regional development practices, i.e. encompassing more narrow notions of the planning profession and related practices but also the role and importance of inclusive public administrations and (integrated) governance. We welcome paper presentations that consider, but are not limited to, questions and themes such as:

• Urban/rural/regional planning, institutions and processes as heteronormatively permeated
• Multi-level governance, intersections between equalities law, municipal and planning law
• Inclusion of LGBTQ people, communities and families in planning processes and governance
• Urban governance, regeneration and space making by and through non-heteronormative individuals
• Comparative perspectives and research in and beyond urban centers of LGBTQ visibility
• Homophobia, transphobia, racism, and, ableism in planning practices

References

• Doan, Petra L. (2015): Planning and LGBTQ Communities. The Need for Inclusive Queer Spaces. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis.
• Fincher, R., Iveson, K., Leitner, H., & Preston, V. (2014). Planning in the multicultural city: Celebrating diversity or reinforcing difference?. Progress in Planning, 92, 1-55.
• Frisch, M. (2002): Planning as a heterosexist project. Journal of Planning Education and Research 21(3), 254–266.
• Osborne, N. (2015). Intersectionality and kyriarchy: A framework for approaching power and social justice in planning and climate change adaptation. Planning Theory, 14(2), 130–151.
• Smart, M. J., & Klein, N. J. (2013). Neighborhoods of affinity: social forces and travel in gay and lesbian neighborhoods. Journal of the American Planning Association, 79(2), 110-124.

Abstracts of max 250 words, as well as your name(s), affiliation(s) (optional) and/or scholarly interests (described by a max. of 5 keywords) should be submitted to jesko.meissel@leibniz-irs.de and thomas.wimark@humangeo.su.se before the 17th of April. Authors will be notified about the status of their submission as soon as possible thereafter. Conference website www.2019.egsconference.com

Organizer(s):

Francesca Stella, University of Glasgow (francesca.stella@glasgow.ac.uk )

Jon Binnie,   Manchester Metropolitan University (j.binnie@mmu.ac.uk)

Calogero Giametta, Aix-Marseilles University (calogiame@googlemail.com)

Language(s) of the session:

English

Format of the session:

Paper presentation

PROVINCIALISING EUROPE: NEW DIRECTIONS IN RESEARCH ON SEXUALITIES, GENDER AND MIGRATION

Session abstract:

Moral panics around migration and a growing anti-immigration backlash are redrawing the political geography of Europe, and shaping new ideas of ‘European-ness’ and national belonging. This has put ‘sexual and gender migrants’ in a contradictory discursive space, as gender and sexual equalities are unevenly prized as national values while migrant bodies are ‘othered’ and subjected to scrutiny and control. Against the racialised reconfiguration of border-making practices on the outskirts and within ‘Fortress Europe’ (De Genova, 2017), and drawing on Dipesh Chakrabarty’s concept of ‘provincialising Europe’ and on Milica Bakić-Hayden’s notion of ‘nesting Orientalisms’, we would like to think through how this affects gender and sexual minorities’ migratory trajectories, experiences and sense of (un)belonging.

Over the last two decades, there has been a growing academic interest in exploring the relationship between sexuality, gender and migration. Lately there has also been a growth of interest in the relationship between mobilities, gender and sexualities inspired by the mobilities turn. In this session we would like to explore new and emerging perspectives in the field.  We invite both empirically grounded and theoretical contributions, but particularly welcome ‘coalface’ empirical work on sexual and gender migrants’ lived experiences that opens up wider conceptual questions. The following might be considered:

• Sexual rights and citizenship in a transnational context
• Affective and emotional geographies of migration and mobilities
• Spatial scales of (im)mobilities (e.g. immigration detention,  messy and curtailed migration journeys)
• Everyday geographies of queer mobilities and migration
• Transgender mobilities and migration
• Bisexual mobilities and migration
• ‘Sexual racisms’
• The mobile politics of sexuality and gender activisms
• Disabilities, mobilities and migration
• Heterosexualities, mobilities and migration
• (Sex) work, mobilities and migration
• Class and the political economies of sexualities, gender and migration
• Mobile politics of contentious movements around ‘gender ideology’

Paper proposals (max 250 words), as well as your name(s), affiliation(s) (optional) and/or scholarly interests (described by a max. of 5 keywords) and contact details, should be sent before April 15th, 2019 to:

Francesca Stella, francesca.stella@glasgow.ac.uk and/or Jon Binnie, j.binnie@mmu.ac.uk and/or Calogero Giametta calogiame@googlemail.com

Organizer(s):

Kevin Moss, Jean Thomson Fulton Professor of Modern Languages & Literature, Middlebury College, USA. moss@middlebury.edu

Mónica Cornejo-Valle, Associate Professor, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain. mcornejo@ucm.es

Ignacio Pichardo, Associate Professor, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain. jipichardo@ucm.es

Language(s) of the session:

English, spanish

Format of the session:

Paper presentation

TRANSNATIONAL GEOGRAPHIES OF OPPOSITION TO SEXUALITY STUDIES, GENDER, AND WOMEN’S AND LGBT RIGHTS: HEGEMONY OR HORIZONTAL COLLABORATION ON THE RIGHT?

Session abstract:

While it is true that Eurocentric epistemological hegemonies “continue to have a substantial impact on the shape of (not only European) discourses and power relations within feminist, gender, sexuality and queer studies,” even more dangerous are transnational power relations that produce and disseminate discourses counter to feminist, gender, sexuality and queer studies within the academy, but also in the real lives of women and LGBT people. On the one hand the anti-LGBT and anti-“gender” international is itself a model of “horizontal and transnational” collaboration, but on the other they also reproduce colonial hegemonies through the prominence of Eurocentric or Western authorities and by using English as their working language. Beyond the English language networks, the transnational collaboration against LGBT+ and women’s rights has a strong presence and impact in Spanish and Portuguese language countries, including South Europe and Latin America.

This session will explore the transnational anti-“gender” networks taking into account the different movements that are involved, with their local roots (national scenarios and actors, discourses, strategies, symbols) and their connections with broader networks and the transnational movement, paying attention to the map of strategic alliances and the indicators of the horizontal and transnational collaboration, like common language and discourses or social media interaction. We invite panelists to analyze how the anti-“gender” discourses circulate, from “center” to “periphery” and back? How have right-wing anti-gender and anti-sexuality forces coopted the terminology of our fields to undermine and delegitimize sexuality studies, gender, and women’s and LGBT rights? How are local and transnational strategies and actors working together? What can be done to push back against transnational attacks, when that very pushback plays into populist and nationalist narratives about colonial dominance? In order to address these topics and questions, the session will consist of short presentations of case studies followed by an open discussion. The session will be multilingual and some of the presentations will be in Spanish.

Organizer(s):

Andrew McCartan, Maynooth University (PhD student), andrew.mccartan@mu.ie

Language(s) of the session:

English

Format of the session:

Paper presentation

MARRIAGE EQUALITY AND QUEER ACTIVISM

Session abstract:

Marriage Equality is a contentious issue that reveals and produces critical boundaries between different groups of contemporary LGBT and queer activists. Although divisions between LGBT and queer activists are too complex to fit a binary of ‘liberationists versus assimilationists’, distinctly ‘queer’ critiques repeatedly develop amongst grassroots activists in opposition to the perceived homonormative politics of more ‘mainstream’ groups. Although queer interventions into Marriage Equality take place, mainstream campaigns can see the silencing or conforming of other grassroots activism to temporarily support mainstream goals of marriage. However, mainstream LGBT groups may later come to co-opt the work of queer grassroots campaigns in their post-Marriage Equality search for ‘new’ politics.

Marriage Equality creates boundaries within Europe between places with and without supportive legislation, which reproduces binaries of west/east, progressive/backwards, where marriage equality is equated with European identity. Although mainstream national marriage equality campaigns have been shown to have transnational links with the spread of ideas and resources across national boundaries, less attention is paid to how queer grassroots critique travels and develops transnationally.

This session seeks to explore the relationships grassroots queer activism has with mainstream activism and transnational queer activism before, during, and beyond campaigns for marriage equality. Example topics in relation to Marriage Equality include:

• National/Transnational grassroots activist networks and solidarity
• Activism of specific marginalised queer groups, e.g. trans, QPOC, asexual activism
• Interventions/Resistances to homonormativity, homonationalism
• Directions of activism after marriage equality
• The relevance/use of queer theory within activism
• Challenges to the liberationist/assimilationist binary and boundaries surrounding ‘queer’ and ‘mainstream’

Organizer(s):

Veronika Valkovičová (valk.veron@gmail.com)

Gabriel Weibl (gabriel.weibl@fses.uniba.sk, gabrielweibl@gmail.com)

Language(s) of the session:

English language

Format of the session:

Paper presentation

SEXUAL AND SEXUALITY EDUCATION – THE MANUALS OF LOVE, SEX AND RELATIONSHIPS TO EVERYBODY

Session abstract:

Sexuality education in Central and Eastern Europe is presumably comparatively less advanced than in Western European countries, due to the more conservative influences on education and sexuality education in particular. The state provided guidelines predominantly remain hostage to ideologies such as moralization, gender stereotyping and promote the traditional social role of sexuality, considering only heterosexual and procreative sexuality as being positive and healthy. This session will map the perceptions on sexuality education. It will identify state of the art, best practices and the voids in education and learning about sex and sexuality, in the case of children and youth through to adulthood. It will showcase multiple perspectives from online, home and/or schools, as these are some of the main educators when learning about sex. The session seeks to identify these (educational) spaces and to assess to what degree they might be disruptive to personal development, inclined to conformity owing to their ability to reproduce traditional gender hierarchies, female subordination, sexual harassment or violence. It questions the role and the persona of the sex education “teacher” as well as the subject curricula.

The session will showcase both empirical and normative studies in regards to sexuality education. Some of the suggested contribution of this session could focus on sexuality education and its bias towards heteronormativity; reflections on its place within science education; the idea of its standalone, ongoing and formal or informal character; the gender, queer and generational positioning of sexuality education; sexuality as a means of empowerment, health education or its absence as an ideological tool; and the dichotomy between different national and European legislative structures in this regard. Hence this session will cover the interdisciplinarity through the discourse of media, policies and politics juxtapositioned with the popularized issues of genderism as well as the needs, images and identities of youth and the idiosyncrasies of particular societies.

Organizers:

Max Andrucki (Geography & Urban Studies, Temple University, USA). Scholarly interests: migration, social reproduction, queer urbanism. E-mail: max.andrucki@temple.edu

Diego García (Centre for Multidisciplinary & Intercultural Inquiry, University College London, UK). Scholarly interests: gender studies, religious studies, human geography, Southeast Asian studies. E-mail: diego.rodriguez.16@ucl.ac.uk

Language of the session:

English.

Format of the session:

Paper session.

Equipment required:

Computer and projector.

QUEER URBAN CIRCULATIONS

Session abstract:

This session seeks to address the materiality and recursivity of queer urban currents, motions and movements, aiming to explore urban spaces of flows and the technologies that map urban restless morphologies in relation to queer bodies. We will explore the various ways urbanisms and cosmopolitanisms, and the attendant geographic hegemonies and hierarchies, are reconfigured by queer circulations at a variety of scales. Bringing together an interdisciplinary group of academics from the fields of gender and sexuality studies, architecture, anthropology and geography, this session will explore queer urban circulations by putting the focus both on the queer bodies and bodily traces circulating to, from and around urban spaces, and the consequent emergence of publics and knowledges. Sixteen years on from Knopp and Brown’s “Queer diffusions,” (2003) and almost 25 years since Kath Weston told us “Get thee to a big city” (1995), we revisit the question of queer mobilities, attending specifically to the urban and to questions of embodied difference and the role mobility plays in constituting these differences within the space of the urban. By framing this session in terms of “circulation” we specifically allude to embodied notions of vitality, rhythm, pulsation, and the fluidity of organic systems. Additionally the panel will explore the blurred limits between the private and public dimensions of such circulations through examining state and non-state modes of policing the mobile queer body, including religion, legislation, homonormativity, and (threats of) violence.

Organiser:

Radzhana Buyantueva, University of Newcastle, UK ( R.Buyantueva1@newcastle.ac.uk)

Michal Pitoňák, Queer Geography, z. s. (Michal.pitonak@queergeography.cz)

Language(s) of the session:

English

Format of the session:

Paper presentation

FEMINIST AND LGBTQ+ POLITICS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: EMPOWERING LOCAL PERSPECTIVES

Session abstract:

In this session, we will critically discuss the applicability of ‘Western’ ideas and concepts within the various othered, ‘non-Western’ contexts such as Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). We will examine their ability to grasp local nuances and complexities regarding sexualities and genders and seek ways to empower the local creative approaches that may lie hidden, untranslated or muted by being surrounded by various hegemonic relations. Furthermore, when, nowadays, some CEE political elites and members of society are becoming increasingly supportive of nationalist ideas, others strive for closer relations and conversations with ‘the West.’

This session will provide important insights into the roles of the ‘Western’ actors in promoting liberal democratic values in the region and the ways it might be affecting domestic academic, political, and social backlashes. It will also focus on vivid developments and local dynamics that develop(ed) along the emergence of LGBTQ+ movements in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE)  from political, historical, legal, geographical, sociological, queer, and feminist perspectives. LGBTQ+ movements in these countries have developed diversely depending on their political social, and other contexts.

Both researchers interested in sexualities and gender identities, as well as LGBTQ+ activists, must confront multiple obstacles to pursue their goals. Some problems such as issues of identity, discrimination, and homophobia might be experienced by many LGBTQ+ people and activists across the globe. Other problems might depend on the local context. This session wants to name, uncover, or offer otherwise insights into these multiple factors that continue to influence recent developments in the regions such as CEE.

This session welcomes all submissions that relate to this call, do reach out to us if you have any doubts – we are in this together.

The preferred language of the session is English. Scholars and authors from a variety of localities, as well as numerous social and academic contexts, are encouraged to submit proposals of papers/presentations that will last 15 minutes, with additional time allocated for a discussion. Submissions should include an abstract of about 250 words, an affiliation (if any), scholarly interests (5 words/phrases), and an e-mail address. Your abstracts should be sent no later than on 15th April 2019, to the following address: R.Buyantueva1@newcastle.ac.uk and Michal.pitonak@queergeography.cz

Organizers:

Marjan Moris, Expeditions vzw/Leuven University ( marjan.moris@xpeditions.be )

Scholarly interests: Difference, Inequality, Belonging, Ethnography, Anthropology

Thomas Wimark, Department of Human Geography, Stockholm University ( thomas.wimark@humangeo.su.se )

Scholarly interests: Migration, Marginalization, Urban studies, Sexuality, Queer studies

Maarten Loopmans, Division of Geography and Tourism, KU Leuven ( maarten.loopmans@kuleuven.be )

Xin Pan, Expeditions vzw/Division of Geography and Tourism, KU Leuven ( xin.pan@xpeditions.be )

Scholarly interests: HIV, Sexuality, LGBT movement, Gender, Migration

Enrico Rossetti, Venice International University ( enrico.rossetti@studenti.unipd.it )

Scholarly interests: Queer Geography, Urban culture, Sustainable development, Gender Equality

Preferred language:

English

Format of the session:

This is a workshop combined with exhibition material. We will have short paper presentations of accepted papers (about 15 minutes) and exhibition materials, which then will be discussed by presenters and audience. No other equipment than computer and projector is required.

MAKING SPACE FOR QUEER YOUTH IN HETERONORMATIVE LEISURE SPACES

Session abstract:

Heteronormativity has been recognized as the institutionalized heterosexual normativity which “regulates those kept within its boundaries as well as marginalizing and sanctioning those outside them” (Jackson 2006: 105). Embedded in spaces and (re)produced by discourses, social interactions and practices of individuals, it contributes to constrained and oppressive environments for non-heterosexual subjectivities and desires. Queer young people’s identification and socialization is tainted by the need to negotiate heteronormativity in various places. Schools (Dalley & Campbell 2006, Schroeder 2012), the home (Gorman-Murray 2008), and cyberspace (Fraser 2010) have all been discussed as heteronormative spaces, both in their oppressive and exclusionary dimensions, as well as focusing on the possibilities to open up and bend the heteronormativity of such spaces.

This session aims to explore the everyday spaces and places, in particular leisure time environments, where young people and negotiate heteronormativity (Mayberry 2013, Wagaman 2016).  We believe there is a need to better understand how heterosexism and heteronormativity is settled/unsettled in everyday youth spaces and everyday lives. Therefore, we want to produce knowledge regarding experiences and practices that make space for agency and perspectives of young queer people in recreational social spaces.

This call for papers and exhibitions addresses geographers and social researchers in general, but also youth workers and people who are at the frontline interacting with queer young people. With young people we mean those aged between 10 to 24 years old, but we are flexible to include a broader group. Places of study could include sports clubs, youth (work) organizations, youth clubs or nightlife places.

Topics for papers and exhibition materials are, for example,

• experiences of queer young people of recreational spaces generally;
• policies and professional interventions that help to open up youth recreational spaces for queer young people;
• mundane interactions between different groups of young people;
• the materiality and design of youth recreational spaces as (non-) heteronormative spaces.

During the session we will discuss presented papers, as well as other formats (such as posters, art-work, photo-exhibitions, …).

References:

Dalley, P. and Campbell, M.D., 2006. Constructing and contesting discourses of heteronormativity: An ethnographic study of youth in a Francophone high school in Canada. Journal of language, identity, and education, 5(1), pp.11-29.

Fraser, V., 2010. Queer closets and rainbow hyperlinks: the construction and constraint of queer subjectivities online. Sexuality research and social policy, 7(1), pp.30-36.

Gorman-Murray, A., 2008. Queering the family home: narratives from gay, lesbian and bisexual youth coming out in supportive family homes in Australia. Gender, Place and Culture, 15(1), pp.31-44.

Jackson, S., 2006. Interchanges: Gender, sexuality and heterosexuality: The complexity (and limits) of heteronormativity. Feminist theory, 7(1), pp.105-121.

Schroeder, C.G., 2012. Making space for queer youth: Adolescent and adult interactions in Toledo, Ohio. Gender, Place & Culture, 19(5), pp.635-651.

Mayberry, M., 2013. Gay-straight alliances: Youth empowerment and working toward reducing stigma of LGBT youth. Humanity & Society, 37(1), pp.35-54.

Wagaman, M.A., 2016. Promoting empowerment among LGBTQ youth: A social justice youth development approach. Child and adolescent social work journal, 33(5), pp.395-405.

Organizer(s):

Boussalem Alessandro (a.boussalem2@newcastle.ac.uk)

Giulia Melis (g.melis9@campus.unimib.it)

Cecilia Nessi (c.nessi1@campus.unimib.it)

Noemi Novello (n.novello1@campus.unimib.it)

Language(s) of the session:

English

Format of the session:

Workshop

FRUSTRATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: REFLECTING ON POSITIONALITIES IN ACADEMIA

Workshop

The aim of the workshop is to create a space for discussion and exchange around the dilemmas we encounter when engaging in our academic and activist practices. The methodology for the workshop will be non-formal and experiential, and the whole activity will revolve around the active engagement and interaction of participants. The focus will be on those controversial situations and positionalities that we experience and the power dynamics we do reproduce – consciously, unconsciously? –  when conduction fieldwork or other research related activities. As researchers, we feel responsible for the processes of knowledge production in which we are involved; at the same time, as feminist and queer scholars, when it comes to the academic institutions we are affiliated to, we often position ourselves in a sort of contradictory “inside/outside/against” [1]. The blur between privilege and oppression of “a position that valorises the concrete experience of the oppressed, while being so uncritical about the historical role of the intellectual” [2] is among our main concerns. Bearing this in mind, how do we think about our boundaries when researching/teaching on/about/with oppressed subjects in terms of race, gender, sexuality, class, and so forth? Can every scholar research about every issue? How do we manage practical issues when our personal ethics and academic constraints meet? Did we ever ask if there is a moment when we should stop [3]?
These are just some of the dilemmas we aim to discuss. Also, we do not propose to find solutions; rather, to facilitate a collective and individual reflection about the limits and the responsibilities of the sites from where we produce knowledge, offering space and a participatory way to share and listen to each other experiences.

[1] (Quijano, 2018, p. 74)
[2] (Spivak,1988, p.69)
[3] (Alcoff, 1991)

We welcome participants from every stage of their career, within or outside the academia. No prior skills are required. The workshop will be held in English but we encourage peer to peer translation.

Please express your interest to the workshop, by e-mailing the organizers, no later than April 19th. Once the conference program is ready, you will be asked to confirm your participation. Keep in mind that workshop participants will need to register to the EGSConference.