Call for Proposals

This Group invites papers and complete papers sessions or roundtable sessions that treat theoretical, methodological, and/or practical dimensions of the following themes:

• The limits and contributions of lesbian feminist theory and/or of feminist theory to lesbian-feminist contestations of patriarchy, heteronormativity, and homophobia in religion/religious studies — both critical and constructive pieces are welcome


• Ethics, grammar, discourses, models, and/or experiences of lesbian-feminist sexualities in non-Christian religion


• For a possible cosponsored session with the African Religions Group and the Gay Men and Religion Group, homosexuality in Africa beyond public discourse — real life negotiations. Vociferous political and religious leaders in Africa frame homosexuality as a Western imported lifestyle and gay rights as a new colonial imposition. Those who dare to identify as LGBT risk ostracism, even death. What is the “on the ground” reality of life under these conditions?

Mission

For over twenty-five years, this Group has employed feminist perspectives to explore the multiple dimensions of lesbian interaction with religion, providing one of the few consistent academic settings where discussions on lesbian issues in religion and feminist perspectives on lesbian issues take place. Whether pursued through religious studies, social-scientific, historical, or theological methods during the approach to the academic study of religion, lesbian-feminist scholarship challenges hegemonic discourse within gay, lesbian, and queer movements that function to privilege queer theory as capable of eclipsing theories and methodologies that are explicitly feminist in the face of entrenched patriarchy and self-consciously lesbian in the face of persistent maleness and heteronormativity. Along with the obvious concern for both historical and contemporary issues pertaining to gender and sexuality, a longstanding feature of the scholarship of this Group has been analysis of race/class/postcolonial critiques. The Group handles important, diverse, and timely themes, providing a theoretical space for probing and further developing the openings and opportunities afforded by changing sociopolitical and theoretical contexts.

Anonymity of Review Process

Proposer names are anonymous to Chairs and Steering Committee members during review, but visible to Chairs prior to final acceptance or rejection.

Questions?

Marie Cartier
California State University, Northridge
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Method of Submission