Last chance!  (The fees have been set at £20 for academics/fully waged and £10 for postgraduates/low wage)

Spaces of sexualities unlimited: still queerying geographies?

A one day event hosted the Space, Sexualities and Queer Working Group of the RGS/IBG.

Held on the 29^th August 2006 at the University of Brighton, Brighton, UK

(Deadline for Abstracts 31^st May 2006)

 

Confirmed Key Note Speakers:

David Bell (University of Leeds) and Jon Binnie (Manchester Metropolitan University)

 

Explorations of spaces, sexualities and queer(s) have pointed not only to the importance of place and space in the production of sexual identities, subjectivities and embodiments, but also to the centrality of sexualities in constituting specific social spaces.  More theoretical inventions that cross the boundaries of sexualities, race, ethnicity, gender, disability and class are beginning to emerge within and beyond this sub-discipline.  One of the remits of the newly created Space, Sexualities and Queer Working Group (RGS) is to foster conversations about the epistemologies, methodologies and ontologies that will inform the further development of the growing sub-discipline of sexual geographies and extend the influence of work in this field.  The group hopes to encompass those whose research addresses lesbian, gay and bisexual lives and identities, as well as those who seek to deconstruct heterosexualities within and beyond the discipline of geography.

The aim of this one day event is to provide a relatively informal environment where spaces, sexualities and queer can be investigated and reflected upon.  We are looking for papers, workshops or performances that broadly encompass queer geographies and geographies of sexualities.  We also welcome contributions in these forms addressing broader concerns of spaces, sexualities and queer from those not specifically located within the discipline of geographies.  This one day event seeks to provoke debate about the past, present and future directions of the intersections and overlaps between spaces, sexualities and queer; as well as, to encourage presentations of work in this area. 

Papers, workshops and performances can include, but are not limited to:

1. Lesbian, gay and bisexual identities, lives and embodiments
2. Trans and gender identities, experiences and affects beyond the man/woman dichotomy
3. The deconstruction of heterosexuality including the pervasive and hegemonic heterosexual familial norm.
4. The questioning of heteronormativity, beyond dualistic sexualities and including discussions of homonormativity.  This includes challenging the heterosexual/homosexual norm through discussions of race, ethnicity and class.
5. ‘Queer’ geographies and geographies of sexualities- what are their differences? What are their commonalities?
6. Methods and methodologies of queer geographies and geographies of sexualities
7. The development of geographies of sexualities and the influence of this work (including queer geographies) on theoretical debates and disciplinary practices within human geography and related disciplines over the last 15 years. This could include:

·        How has the focus of queer geography changed since 1990?  Is it following its own trajectory (in dialogues) with queer theorists outside geography)?  Or does it have a closer relationship with the dominant theoretical twists and turns of British social and cultural geography?

·        What contribution have sexual geographers made to the wider discipline?

·        How much has queer theory impacted on the rest of geography? This could incorporate discussions of queering geographies and contesting heteronormativity in the discipline of Geography as well as geographic thoughts and approaches across the discipline

·        Are there (or have there been) specifically British themes or concerns within sexual geographies?

·        Challenging heteronormativity within Geography and Geography departments

·        Is there an emerging Queer theoretical orthodoxy that is silencing other voices and theoretical perspectives within sexual geographies?

·        What problems are posed by homonormativity, and how might these be addressed?

·        Future directions in sexual geographies.  Where next?

We invite abstract submissions from established and emerging researchers, postgraduates, independent researchers working outside of academia, and from performers.  Papers should be 15 minutes long.  Abstracts of no more than 250 words should be sent for consideration to [log in to unmask] .  Abstracts should be received no later than 31 May 2006. 

Disabled access will be provided, please let us know your access needs.  Childcare can also be provided, but please book in advance.