49th ROME World Congress on Gender, Sexuality, and Identity (WCGSI-25) Oct. 1-3, 2025 Rome (Italy)

Call for papers

Here are some potential topics for a conference on Gender, Sexuality, and Identity:

Core Themes:

• Gender Identity and Expression:
  • Understanding non-binary lives across the lifespan.
  • How media shapes views on gender identity.
  • Navigating adolescent gender expression and peer relationships.
  • Cultural variations in defining 'normal' gender roles.
  • The impact of supportive environments on transgender well-being.
  • Exploring genderqueer narratives and experiences.
  • Language evolution in non-binary expression (pronoun usage, etc.).
  • The art of being: Longitudinal studies on the impact of transitioning on well-being.
• Sexual Orientation:
  • Bisexuality and unique issues faced by bisexual individuals.
  • Asexuality: Understanding and addressing misconceptions.
  • New efforts at asexual visibility and coming-out processes.
  • Challenges to the concept of "coming out."
  • Fluidity and diversity of LGBTQ+ experiences.
• Intersectionality:
  • Examining the intersection of race, ethnicity, and gender.
  • Queer of Color critiques.
  • Global and transnational perspectives on LGBTQ+ issues.
  • Gender as a co-constitutive and intersectional element of discrimination.
  • Intersectionality with age, class, ability, and neurodiversity.
• Feminist and Queer Theories:
  • Varieties of feminism (first, second wave, radical, etc.).
  • Feminist ethics and philosophy.
  • Queer theory and its evolution.
  • Post-structuralist perspectives on gender.
• Masculinities Studies:
  • Masculinities and gender identity.
  • Men's health (physical and mental).
  • Fatherhood and parenting.
  • Men and relationships.
  • Men in education and the workplace.
  • Men and media representation.
  • Men and violence prevention.
  • Toxic masculinity and homophobia.

Social and Cultural Issues:

• Gender and Culture:
  • Gender roles in different cultural contexts.
  • Gender and popular culture.
  • Gender in literature and media.
  • Visual representations of gender and sexuality through time.
• Gender and Rights:
  • LGBTQ+ rights and legal systems.
  • Transgender rights and challenges.
  • Reproductive rights and justice.
  • Marriage equality and parenthood.
  • Anti-gender movements and their impact.
• Gender-Based Violence:
  • Combating gender-based violence (prevention, intervention, community solutions).
  • Violence against women (sexual, emotional, financial).
  • Domestic violence and its gendered dimensions.
• Gender and Social Movements:
  • History of LGBTQ+ movements and activism.
  • Feminist activism and its contemporary forms.
  • Community engagement and activism in gender and sexuality.
  • The role of social media in LGBTQ+ advocacy.
• Gender and Health:
  • LGBTQ+ health and well-being issues.
  • Trans-affirmative healthcare and standards of care.
  • Mental health in LGBTQ+ communities.
  • The intersection of HIV prevention and sexual health.
• Gender and Education:
  • Gender nonconforming children in schools.
  • Bullying in schools and anti-bullying efforts.
  • Inclusive sex education and its impact.
  • Gender and educational attainment.
• Gender and Work:
  • Gender equality in the workplace (pay gap, discrimination, representation).
  • Breaking down LGBTQ+ barriers in different industries.
  • Policies and progress in shaping workplace experiences.
  • Gender roles and career choices.
• Gender and Technology:
  • Gender and technological innovations.
  • Social media as a lifeline for LGBTQ+ community support.
  • Confronting hate speech and harassment online.
  • Experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals in online gaming communities.
  • Online platforms' role in shaping beauty standards.
  • Activism in the age of algorithms.
  • Virtual support and its impact on LGBTQ+ mental health.
• Gender and Religion/Spirituality:
  • Integration of LGBTQ+ people in different faiths.
  • New elements brought to faith traditions by LGBTQ+ individuals.
  • LGBTQ+ themes in religious texts.
  • Use of religious texts to justify mistreatment of LGBTQ+ people.
  • Experiences of being LGBTQ+ and religious.
• Gender and Family:
  • Changing gender roles in families.
  • LGBTQ+ parenting and adoption.
  • Family dynamics and well-being across LGBTQ+ identities.
  • Navigating family relationships in coming out.
  • Cultural factors and family acceptance in LGBTQ+ communities.
  • Intergenerational LGBTQ+ experiences in families.

Historical and Global Perspectives:

• History of Gender and Sexuality:
  • Historical exploration of gender roles.
  • Transgender history and pioneers.
  • Lesbian and gay history and the development of identity.
  • History of bisexuality as an identity.
  • Influence of cultural norms and attitudes across time periods.
  • LGBTQ+ marches and political movements.
• Global and Transnational Issues:
  • How LGBTQ+ people experience life in different countries.
  • Comparison of laws and culture worldwide.
  • LGBTQ+ rights and challenges globally.
  • Globalization and shifting attitudes towards gender and sexuality.
  • Colonialism's impact on traditional gender and sexuality norms.

Interdisciplinary Approaches:

• The intersection of gender studies with other disciplines (sociology, psychology, history, literature, media studies, law, medicine, etc.).
• Methodological innovations in interdisciplinary gender and sexuality research.
• The role of interdisciplinary studies in addressing pressing global issues through a gender lens.