The successful carriage of marriage equality into Australian law in 2017 reflected a triumph for LGBTIQ+ inclusion. However, the recognition of marriage equality as a right is only part of the story as LGBTIQ+ people face ongoing and entrenched social, cultural, political, religious and economic discrimination and exclusion from being full participants in society. The challenges regarding the human rights for people based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics occur in the everyday, through the lived experience at home, in the workplace and in education.
In a rapidly changing Higher Education environment, how can Ally Networks contribute to enabling and ensuring the human rights of students and staff in relation to questions of sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics?
Michael Kirby observes, “LGBTIQ people continue to live with social exclusion and homophobia in the broader society, in their studies and in the workplace. It is through education and networks, such as the Ally Networks that these attitudes and experiences are changed. Australia’s universities have a significant role to play in educating their students about the importance of diversity and inclusion. Universities also have a leading role as major employers in ensuring they promote best practice and equity in the workplace. By creating a respectful and supportive culture the universities’ Ally networks contribute substantially to that environment and change.”
The 2018 Ally Conference will open up a national and international conversation on how to activate human rights in relation to sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics for all people well into the future, setting new pathways to policy, innovation and enduring change. The Conference will bring together academic and professional staff, students, activists and practitioners from across Ally and LGBTIQ+ communities in the education sectors and industry and beyond, and will showcase best practice of Ally networks in diverse institutional contexts.
We invite presentations in key focus areas that might address aspects of the following: Lived experience, education and pedagogy, workplace, theories and practices of queer solidarity and alliances, activism, queer scholarship and intersectionality.
Contributions outside these areas are also welcome.
We welcome papers/presentations from all interested persons including academics, professional staff, activists, students, industry, and others. This can include updates on projects, policies and practices; theoretical and/or applied research; creative and/or artistic explorations, creative artefacts, poster presentations; interactive Q&A, workshops, or short screenings with discussion that can be situated thematically within the list of suggested topics.
Individual Papers
Individual paper presentations are 20 mins long. Please submit an abstract including Title, Name, Organisation, Email, Abstract (250 words), Bio (100 words).
Collaborative Panels
Panel proposals are also welcome. Panels need to include 3-4 papers. In addition to submitting a 250 word abstract for each presenter, please submit an abstract (100 words) and a title (15 words max.) for the panel as a whole. Please indicate lead panel contact person.
Submission must be sent by 22 June 2018 via email to: AllyConference2018@curtin.edu.au
Please include a short bio or bios (if panel) note at the end of your abstract or panel.
More details about the conference, including a list of confirmed speakers, are available here.