Sexuality and migration: contemporary themes and ways forward

Sexuality and sexual health have progressively entered the debate on migration in Sweden and abroad.

Transnational mobility affects migrants’ intimacies in intricate ways; sexual orientation can be a driver of migration, sexuality, and relationships may shape migration circuits, and restricted access to help and support services can affect migrants’ sexual health.

On the other hand, sexual discourses and practices often contribute to reinforcing feelings of identity and belonging, both on side of migrants and the host societies.The conference brings together scholars working on the intersections of migration, sexual health, and sexuality from different perspectives.

The purpose is interdisciplinary exploration and dialogue between scholars primarily from public health, the social sciences, and the humanities, as well as a multidimensional approach to urgent issues such as education and health measures, the experience and position of LGBTQIA migrants, and the complexities of honor related violence.

The output of the conference will be an open-access publication in an international journal, as well as the formation of a national network for further collaboration.

The conference also hosts sessions that involve professionals working with migrants in the form of a roundtable and a participatory workshop.

The purpose is to further dialogue between scholars and professionals, as well as to creatively explore contemporary policies and practices within the field.The conference is hosted by LnuC Concurrences in Colonial and Postcolonial Studies and the Centre of Cultural Sociology, Linnaeus University together with the Centre for Sexology and Sexuality Studies, Malmoe University.

The targeted audiences are scholars and practitioners in the field, and estimated numbers are 50 and 30 participants respectively.

The conference also invites students from both universities, and the keynote and a subsequent movie screening are open to the public upon pre-registration.