CFP Polyamory and Mono-Normativity

Edited: “Polyarmory” wurde zu “Polyamory” korrigiert. Mehrfach.

Diese Konferenz klingt sauspannend, deshalb sei sie hier noch einmal verbreitet, auch wenn die Abstracts in den nächsten vierzehn Tagen eingereicht werden müssen.

Polyamory and Mono-Normativity: An International Conference at the Research Centre for Feminist, Gender and Queer Studies, University of Hamburg, November 5th/6th 2005.

Non-monogamous patterns of intimacy as a valid way of relating continue to be largely excluded from the social scientific discourse, since theories of and research on primary relationships are rooted in a mono-normative perspective. They tend to universalize the exclusive, dyadic structure of the couple pattern. It appears to be an institution well-founded in nature, so that one can speak of a discursive naturalisation of dyads in the social sciences.

We coin this mechanism mono-normativity. The mono-normative matrix is a complex power relation, which (re)produces hierarchically arranged patterns of intimate relationships, devaluations, marginalizations, omissions and exclusions of those patterns of intimacy, which do not correspond to the normative apparatus of the monogamous model. Within the dyadic structure of mono-normativity, heteronormativity is at the same time being embedded as an implicit matter-offactness.

To foster critical analysis of these mono-normative discourses and to document non-monogamous ways of relating, we are looking for submissions for an inter- and transdisciplinary international conference on polyamory and mono-normativity.

By polyamory we mean intimate relationship practices in which one or more individuals involved are in more than one sexual, BDSM and/or committed relationship in the same time period. Empirical research as well as queer/feminist and post-colonial perspectives are especially welcome.

The conference language will be English. It will include presentations and commentaries on the presented papers. Speakers will be asked to contribute an article based on their conference paper for an anthology that will be published later.

The conference will be held at University of Hamburg, November 4th and 5th 2005. It is organized by the Research Centre for Feminist, Gender & Queer Studies, by its Director Prof. Dr. Marianne Pieper and Robin Bauer.

Travelling and accommodation expenses for speakers and commentators will be covered. The deadline for submissions is August 15th, 2005. Please send an abstract (approx. 150 words) to pieper@sozialwiss.uni-hamburg.de or Prof. Dr. Marianne Pieper, Institut für Soziologie, Allende-Platz 1, 20146 Hamburg, Germany.