Sexualities, Language, and International Politics

Deadline for submitting abstracts: 20 June 2016

Open-access book edited by Caroline Cottet and ManuelaPicq, to be published by E-International Relations

Mainstream activism engaging with the politics of gender and sexual-identity tends more often than not to be labelled LGBT, homosexual, gay or queer activism. This implies a degree of universalism. Of course, these terms have gone a long way in promoting the rights of individuals, and the remarkable achievements of such movements have been ground-breaking. Yet, these terms also limit one’s understanding of identities by restricting the categories, often working along a binary logic. Those labels, it is important to remember, correspond to a particular understanding of gender and sexuality. While the etymologies of ‘LGBT’, ‘homosexual’, ‘queer’, and related terms, are complex and unique, the contemporary promotion of these words and their usage on a global scale have primarily grown out of the Anglosphere – and more specifically the Anglo-American context. We seek papers that problematise this lineage and examine its complex effects in international politics.

Commissioned papers from this call will be included in an open access book, published by E-International Relations and edited by Caroline Cottet and Manuela Picq. It will be supplied free online via e-book and web versions, and also sold in paperback in book stores worldwide. The purpose of this book is to explore how the language of sexuality intertwines with modernity to think IR.

Proposed topics can:

We do not seek to be overly prescriptive, and look forward to authors taking advantage of this invitation to shape interesting chapters as they see fit, including on areas not listed above. That being said, we place a premium on contributions that use real world examples, and we expect this to be reflected in abstracts (see below). For this reason, we welcome the participation of theorists, practitioners, *and* activists. More importantly, writing in an E-International Relations book requires that you adhere to our editorial mission statement, which is to provide cutting edge scholarship in a way that preferences brevity and accessibility. Authors who are native to the languages and places that they wish to write about will be advantaged.

We welcome abstracts of around 350 words sent via email to Caroline Cottet at cjh.cottet@gmail.com by 20 June, using the subject line ‘Edited Collection’. You may also address any questions to this address.

Your abstract should indicate, concisely, (1) the exact topic you would like to contribute on and (2) how you would use real world examples – where relevant – to illustrate your major points. Please also send us a brief author biography via an attached CV and/or a link to your academic webpage.

The guide length of commissioned chapters in final form will be between 3000 and 4000 words so we will expect that you factor this length into your abstract/planning.

Alternative formats and lengths are also possible, as this book seeks to embody the variety and creativity it argues for. And, please remember how much we value the use of real world examples and accessible language. The absence of those in your abstract will likely lead to us not accepting it. Acceptance decisions will be made within four weeks after the submission deadline, after which we will contact all applicants with our response.

Caroline Cottet

e-mail: cjh.cottet@gmail.com