LGBT Rights, Sexuality, Queer Studies and Politics

The struggle for acceptance of LGBTIQ+ identities and rights has a rich and diverse history and has led to various outcomes across European countries, and beyond. Despite the notable progress made by certain countries in acknowledging and safeguarding the rights of the LGBTIQ+ communities, challenges persist. The trajectory of acceptance and legal protection has been uneven and faced with increasing anti-gender mobilizations in the recent decade. We are experiencing a resurgence of right-wing populism and conservatism, which has often been accompanied by attacks on LGBTIQ+ rights. Populist and neo-conservative actors in different parts of the world have intensified their rhetoric and organized their capacities to re-open debates about gender and equality, restrict access to LGBTIQ+ rights and sexual education, contest same-sex unions, and operate against initiatives promoting rights for trans, intersex and non-binary people. This is evident in the adoption of anti-LGBTIQ+ laws in countries such as Hungary, Poland, and Russia, as well as in the rise of anti-LGBTIQ rhetoric from politicians, policymakers and public figures in other European countries too. The rhetoric propagated by anti-gender activists and the rise of populist and neo-traditionalist ideologies become entangled with broader narratives of conspiracy and scepticism toward established institutions and experts. The attempts to roll back hard-won rights, fueled by reactionary narratives, hinder not only legislative progress but also challenge the very foundation of equality and inclusive society as well as the everyday lives of LGBTIQ+ people and their (chosen) families and partnerships. Not only neo-traditionalist and populist political and civil society actors but also complex state-sponsored trans- and homophobia - a state-sponsored strategy aimed at mobilizing popular resistance against LGBTIQ+ community and often used for nation-building processes or as a distraction for the population - poses a grave threat to the LGBTIQ+ lives and rights across the world. This is not limited to countries traditionally known for being less LGBTIQ+ friendly; it also exists in some developed democracies, where regressive policies and attitudes continue to hinder rights and acceptance. In these countries, LGBTIQ+ individuals often face legal discrimination, violence, and social stigma, which undermine their safety, well-being, and fundamental human rights. Conversely, some countries have demonstrated more LGBTIQ+ inclusive politics, passing progressive legislation and promoting acceptance and equality. In this context, trans and intersex politics represent an increasingly important and visible frontier within the broader LGBTIQ+ movement. The struggles for legal recognition, access to healthcare, and inclusion have gained prominence. Characteristically, the topic of trans and intersex individuals in sports, education or health care, and the debate surrounding gender self-determination policies have become a subject of contention, leading to a proliferation of discussions among politicians, media or on social media platforms. The involvement of a faction of feminist actors, referred to as TRFS, aligning with anti-gender perspectives adds further complexity to the situation. As violence and persecution against LGBTIQ+ communities persist or re-emerge in many regions, an increasing number of people are forced to leave their homes in search of safety and protection, be it from state-sponsored homo- and transphobia or armed conflicts. Understanding the challenges and vulnerabilities faced by queer refugees and migrants is essential for developing effective policies and support mechanisms. Therefore, it is imperative to examine the interconnections between actors opposing gender and LGBTIQ+ equality and other narratives rooted in distrust in order to develop comprehensive approaches that effectively tackle the various barriers to societal advancement and achieving of LGBTIQ+ equal rights. We invite panel and paper proposals that will focus especially but not exclusively on these topics: ● Digital and transnational LGBTIQ+ and anti-gender/anti-LGBTIQ+ activism and movements, ● Partnership and parenting state policies regarding LGBTIQ+ people, LGBTIQ+ rights advocacy, partnership and parenting strategies of LGBTIQ+ people, ● Sexual and intimate citizenship in the current political conditions and dynamics, ● State-sponsored homo- and transphobia, illiberal, populist and neo-conservative narratives and politics, ● Anti-gender mobilisations and their overlaps with populist, anti-vax, anti-climate and other mobilisations (incl. dissemination of conspiracy theories as obstacles to equality), ● The role of the education system in promoting LGBTIQ+ acceptance/knowledge (challenges and strategies for implementing inclusive curricula) and challenges of anti-gender movements to education, ● Trans, intersex and non-binary identities and related politics, including areas of health care, education, partnership or sports, ● Forced queer migration, LGBTIQ+ refugees from war, armed conflicts, and state-sponsored homophobia, ● Queer politics and affect theory: the politics of affects, the role of emotions, feelings, and sensation in the (re)production of queer identities, collectives, and resistance; as well as in populist and anti-gender politics and discourses, ● Sex work and sex tourism to and from the “Global South” perpetuated by globalisation, digitalisation and neo-liberal consumerism. While all panel proposals and papers are welcome, we particularly encourage contributions that provide insight into less researched European and neighbouring areas, including areas with significant LGBTIQ+ relevant migration patterns to Europe.