IV European Geographies of Sexualities Conference - Barcelona 2017

Following the previous Geographies of Sexualities conferences in Brussels (2011), Lisbon (2013) and Rome (2015), the 2017 conference in Barcelona will explore the ways in which sexualities are lived and framed relationally, in intersection with other identities and at a variety of social and spatial scales. This conference will convene scholars, professionals and activists across disciplines and geographical contexts, who hold an interest in co-creating a space for open debate and discussion.

The multiple ways we experience, perceive and tell our sexualities is shaped by our gender, class, ethnicity, origin, age, religion and (dis)abilities, among others. Originally inspired by queer theory, the field of geographies of sexualities has deeply engaged with unpacking the diverse ways we are influenced by and (re)produce social position(alitie)s and categories. In fact as acknowledged by Michael Brown, “there is a steadfast consensus that for geographies of sexuality to be truly queer they cannot focus exclusively on sexuality per se, but must also consider its connections with other dimensions of identity” (2012: 541).

While intersectionality has become a powerful theoretical and methodological lens to account for the variegated experience and representation of identities across different places and scales, we need further exploration and understanding of the ways social movements and politics across different scales (from the local to the transnational) shape the ways we experience, resist, enact and perform our identities. As a matter of fact, a hegemonic and normative geopolitics of identities and sexualities appears to characterize an increasing number of countries and popular discourses on the basis of concepts such as ´modernity´, ´progress´ and ´human rights´, feeding sexist, racist and Islamophobic imageries. However different individuals and groups undermine these hegemonic narratives, connecting local, embedded experiences transnationally thanks to social networks and media, thus opening the possibility for contamination and mutual inspiration, leading to new intersectional imaginations.

On the basis of the above rationale, we invite submissions in the format of paper presentations and panel discussions. We encourage contributions in a diverse range of formats. Alongside traditional academic conference papers, we welcome open space discussions, film screenings, installations and other contributions. Sessions proposals are also welcome. We seek to foster networking, debate and discussions across national borders, across language communities, and across academic disciplines.

Topics of interest could be (but are not limited to):

– Intersectionality and the experience and representation of identities and sexualities;

– The uneven experience of identities and sexualities across different places and scales;

– Global geopolitics of sexualities vs local practices and experiences;

– Sexism, machoism, heteronormativity and homonormativity in ‘post-gender’ and ‘post-gay’ times;

– Social movements, local politics and the reshaping of identities;

– LGBT rights, sexual citizenship and the exclusion of ´others´;

– The role of social networks and media in shaping identities and sexualities;

– ´Anti-gender´ propaganda and its impact on identities and politics;

– Intersections of heterosexism and patriarchy

– Queer politics and transnational solidarity

– Homonationalism, racism and xenophobia

– Sex work and feminist solidarities

– Bodies and sexual politics

– Sexual dissidents, health and reproduction

– Erotic pleasures and perils and utopian sexualities

Proposals are accepted in Spanish and English. We will especially make an effort for creating an inclusive space for enhancing dialogues between different languages. For details on how to submit a proposal, see the website (Guidelines for Submisions)