Workshop | Black. Queer. Trans. Desires. | Essen

Black. Queer. Trans. Desires.

23–24 January 2025 | College for Social Sciences and Humanities, Essen | hybrid

This workshop explores the plurality of Black queer sexualities and desires from different perspectives – particularly through examining their political, social and cultural manifestation within structures of systemic racism, sexism, classism, homophobia, and transphobia.

Desire is complicated. In a world that polices certain forms of desire, it is important to focus on desires that are often marginalised and silenced by systemic racism, sexism, classism, transphobia, xenophobia and homophobia. This workshop affirms that Black queer and trans desires matter, as spaces of intimacy, pleasure, freedom and joy. Participants are invited to unpack the complexities and manifestations of Black queer sexualities in personal narratives that illuminate lived experiences; examine the role of affect in research and practice; engage with the power of art as a means of imagining possible futures; participate in embodied practices through theatre; and delve into the complexities of community, intimacy, love and self-representation. Additionally, the workshop will discuss resilience in the face of systemic oppression and critically analyse the power relations that shape queer and trans desires. It calls attention to the agency and creativity of Black queer, trans, and gender nonbinary individuals, fostering a deeper understanding of the ways in which these identities challenge normative frameworks and create spaces for radical imagination and liberation.

The workshop is organised by Zintombizethu (zethu) Matebeni, current Senior Fellow at the College, in collaboration with Phoebe Kisubi Mbasalaki (University of Essex) and Henriette Gunkel (Ruhr University Bochum).

You will find the information and programm here.

The event is open to everyone interested with prior registration. There are 40 places available for in-person participation. The registration is open till 21 January.