Call for Papers

A Special Issue

The Lesbian Subjectivity in the Arab World

The subject of lesbianism has rarely been addressed in the Arab world on the
assumption that it is not a priority, or that 'there are no lesbians in our
culture', or that some women 'become' lesbians due to some negative
experiences or imposed sexual segregation, thus conveying an implicit
message that lesbians can or should be heteronormalized once women's
circumstances change. All these assumptions and misconceptions tend to deny
the existence of an independent lesbian subjectivity that demands different
priorities, ethics, rights and politics. The emergence of literature on
'female homosexuality' during the past few years constitutes a huge leap in
gender and sexuality studies.

This special issue of Al-Raida is intended to shed light on the problematic
position of the lesbian in Arab cultures on various interdisciplinary
levels. It is also intended to question the politics of love and friendships
in the Arab cultures, in an attempt to examine the perplexing position of
the lesbian subjectivity and the perils of "coming" out of the complicated
Arab closets. The future of lesbian studies in Women's Studies and Gender
Programs in the Arab countries is a question that needs to be answered
within the context of this issue. One of the key questions that this special
issue will address is the extent to which the lesbian identity can become a
recognized reality and a perceived lifestyle without provoking the latent
homophobia of the Arab World which still regards gender identity, sexual
identity and sexual orientation as alien to the values of 'Our Culture'.

We are interested in receiving academic studies and critical essays
pertaining to the topic outlined above. Topics may include but are not
restricted to:

- The essentialist/constructionist debates about the lesbian sexuality in
   the Arab world.

-  Is there a lesbian Arabic literature?

- Theorizing the Arab lesbian.

-  Historical perspectives on female same-sex relations in the Arab
   cultures.

-  Images of female same-sex relations in Arab media: clichés and
   stereotypes.

-  Arab lesbians in cyberspace (websites, online magazines and discussion
   groups).

-  The problematic position of lesbians in Arab NGOs between human rights
   and women's rights.

-  The possibility of integrating lesbian Studies in the Arab Academia.

-  'Lesbian autobiography': obstacles and challenges.

-  The impact of transnational feminism on lesbian activism in the region.

-  Lesbianism in Arab religious and legal discourses.

-  Body images and self-representation: lesbian masculinities and
   femininities.

-  Arab lesbians between the historical perception of female homosexuality
   and the post-modern perception of the 'Queer' identity.

-  Resisting heterosexual stereotypes and linguistic homophobia.

-  Examining heteronormativity in the Arab feminist discourse.

If you are interested in contributing to this issue of Al-Raida, kindly send
your abstract (250-300 words) no later than June 20, 2011. All abstracts
submitted are reviewed by Al-Raida's editorial staff and are subject to its
approval. Once the abstract is approved contributors will have to submit
their paper no later than September 20, 2011. Submissions are accepted in
English, Arabic or French. All non-English submissions will be translated by
IWSAW and published in English following the approval of the author.

This special issue will be edited by Dr. Iman Al-Ghafari, an academic
researcher who has extensive publications and contributions to the field of
lesbian studies in the Arab cultures. Kindly send your emails simultaneously
to the managing editor, Ms. Myriam Sfeir, at myriam.sfeir@lau.edu.lb and to
the guest editor, Dr. Iman Al-Ghafari at, dr.iman.gh@gmail.com