Feminism for the Future:
Constructive conversations about Lesbian & Trans Identities & Politics
Presented by Northeastern University's Program in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and the Center for the Humanities
Sponsored by Co-sponsored by Northeastern's Law School? Departments of History, International Affairs, Political Science, Philosophy and Religion and Cultures, Societies and World Studies. and Programs in Africana Studies and Human Services; Northeastern University Humanities Center and Law School
In recent years, clashes between trans and (some) lesbian activists have become increasingly polarized and tense. While this has been less pronounced in the US than in Britain, where a version of ultra-exclusive radical feminism is quite visible and vocal, tensions may still be high here in the US. Too often this debate is historically ill-informed and limited to ad hominin Twitter attacks and name-calling. This Symposium seeks to provoke meaningful dialogue about the relationship between feminism, trans scholarship and activism, and lesbian politics and theory. Starting from the position that trans inclusion and liberation is non-negotiable, this symposium aims to unravel and analyze the fears and lies that fuel lesbian attacks on trans activists. We want to start a dialogue that is respectful, deeply evidence-informed, historically accurate, and aligned with building a multiracial, intersectional, gender-inclusive feminism that doesn't erase either “lesbian” or “trans.” Key questions that will animate our discussion include:
- What are the origins of today's fears of the so-called “lesbian erasure” and is this a red (lavender?) herring?
- What theoretical frameworks support transphobic ideologies?
- Do transgender scholars imagine gender differently than lesbian scholars?
- Is there a connection between the decline of a specifically lesbian culture (eg the closing of most lesbian bars and bookstores) and the rise of trans activism?
- How have lesbian and trans identities shifted in history and geography?
- What is the complex psychic relationship between identity and desire?
- What will it take to create a more productive dialogue?
- How we can create inclusive feminist communities and open to discussion and challenge?
Check-in starts at 8:30am. ET. Guests must present proof of vaccination against Covid-19 and their registration ticket. A welcome to the venue will begin at 9:30am. with our first panel “I Desire Identity: The Politics of Gender and the Gender of Politics” start at 9:45 am After a break, our next panel, “Defining Desire: Feeling Lesbian, Feeling Trans, Feeling Feminist”, will begin at 11:45 am. We will break for lunch and return at 3:00 for our final panel of the day, “Identity, Desire and Feminist Community.” A full schedule of events, including panel descriptions and talk titles, will be posted here in the coming days.
Contributors: Brenda Cossman (University of Toronto), V Varun Chaudhry (Brandeis University), Mairead Sullivan (Loyola Marymount University), Tey Meadow (Columbia University), Cameron Awkward-Rich (UMass Boston), Emily Owens (Brown University) , Susan Stryker (Mills College) and Finn Mackay (University of the West of England). More information about the participants will be provided soon. Check this space for updates.
This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Guests must provide proof of full vaccination against Covid-19 (including a booster shot).
