CFP: International Conference on African Same-Sex Sexualities and Gender Diversity, Practices, Identities and Communities: February 13 - 16, 2011: Pretoria

International Conference on African Same-Sex Sexualities and Gender
Diversity, Practices, Identities and Communities to be held February
13 16, 2011 in Pretoria, South Africa.

Conference Mission: To identify and celebrate indigenous and evolving
male, female and/or gender variant same-sex sexual practices,
identities and communities, including expressions of gender diversity,
and to promote their social acceptance and their physical and social
well-being.
Primary target group: Persons knowledgeable about or scholarly engaged
in the study of same-sex practices, identities, and communities from a
liberating or emancipatory perspective (persons from Sub-Saharan
Africa are encouraged to attend), sexual rights advocates, and persons
from Sub-Saharan Africa engaged in the artistic expression of gender
and same-sex sexuality issuesConference objectives:
* To promote understanding and further study of male and female same-
sex sexual practices, identities and communities, including
expressions of gender diversity, in Sub-Saharan Africa.
* To promote understanding of social and structural prejudice towards
sexual and gender diversity and strategies to address this prejudice.
* To explore how social and structural factors affect the well-being
and health of persons engaging in same-sex sexual practices or with
gender diverse backgrounds and identify ways of enabling the social
environment and reducing vulnerability.
* To support capacity building in research and advocacy and to
strengthen the development of MSM/WSW/transgendered communities.
Who can submit?
Abstract submission is open to anybody who is able to contribute to
listed conference objectives, regardless of institutional affiliation.
Persons living in Sub-Saharan Africa are strongly encouraged to
submit. Abstract selection will take into account representation in
terms of geography, gender, and gender identity.
How to submit?
Abstract submission is only possible online via (www.mask.org.za/
asssgd).
Abstract themes
Abstracts are solicited that will contribute to the conference
objectives. Conference topics include:
* How male or female same-sex sexuality and gender diversity are
expressed in local cultures
* How same-sex sexuality and gender diversity are understood in local
cultures and indigenous histories (including contexts of colonialism)
* Health issues in LGBT/MSM/WSW/Trans persons (including HIV/AIDS)
* Expressions of heteronormativity and homonegativity in local cultures
* Local organization of LGBT/MSM/WSW/Trans communities
* Local LGBT/MSM/WSW/Trans cultures
* Programmes to support LGBT/MSM/WSW/Trans expressions and address
health problems
* Same-sexuality and gender diversity in relation to rights-based
discourses
* Integrating sexual minority issues into national, regional and
Global Civic society (including areas such as sports, education,
ageing, social security, employment)
Abstract format
Abstracts should have a title (maximum 20 words), authors names (full
first name and surname; intended presenting author first),
affiliations (if any; if none: "independent"), and summary of the
proposed presentation of maximum 300 words. Abstracts should indicate
how data, sources, or evidence, on which the abstract has been based,
have been assembled. Abstracts should include a conclusion summarizing
the meaning or implications of the proposed presentation. Abstracts
can be submitted in either English or French. An abstract-sample can
be found on the conference website (www.mask.org.za/asssgd).
Abstract selection
Abstracts will be reviewed by an international committee. Review
criteria include: (1) Originality of contribution; (2) Relevance in
terms of conference goals; and (3) Level of scholarship). Final
selection of abstracts will also take into account representation
(nationality and gender/gender identity) and resources available to
sponsor people's participation.
Participation support
A limited number of scholarships will be available to facilitate the
conference participants who submitted abstracts that have been
selected. Application for these scholarships will have to occur
simultaneously with abstract submission. While applying for
scholarships, persons will be asked to indicate why financial support
is needed and which parts of the conference costs they will be able to
carry themselves. No scholarships will be available that will fully
cover all travel, lodging and conference participation costs.
Important dates:
October 1, 2010 Final date for abstract submission and request for
participation support
November 1, 2010 Information regarding acceptance of abstracts and
support available
January 15, 2011 Submission of conference presentation
Conference Organizing Committee
Shivaji Bhattarcharya, Théophile Habonimana, Paul Jansen, David Kuria,
Thuli Madi, Lydia Makoroka (co-chair), Monica Mbaru , Vasu Reddy
(chair), Theo Sandfort (co-chair), Liesl Theron
Institutional Support
The organization of this conference is a joint initiative from: AMSHeR
(African Men for Sexual Health and Rights), Behind the Mask (South
Africa), GALCK (Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya; Kenya), Gender
DynamiX (South Africa), HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies
(New York), Hivos (Netherlands, main sponsor), Human Sciences Research
Council (HSRC; South Africa), Humure (Burundi), International Gay and
Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), Oxfam, UNDP (Southern &
Eastern Africa