Konferenzteilnahme "Sexuality and Migration: Contemporary Themes and Ways Forward", Växjö, Schweden

Antragstellender: Humad Nisar
Fachbereich, Studienrichtung: FB 08, Master Visual Anthropology, Media and Documentary Practices

The “Sexuality and Migration: Contemporary Themes and Ways Forward” (07.12.2022 - 09.12.2022) conference in Sweden was a successful event that brought together scholars, activists, and practitioners from around the world to discuss the intersection of sexuality and migration. The conference was held over three days, with keynote speeches, panel discussions, and paper presentations.

On the first day of the conference, attendees were welcomed by the conference organizers, who provided an overview of the program and set the stage for the discussions to come. The keynote speaker for the opening day was Professor Christian Groes (Roskilde University), an expert in the field of sexuality and migration, who delivered a thought-provoking and insightful talk on the topic of transactional sex, and it’s usage in matters of ‘Patronage’ in his paper, “Journeys of Intimate Patronage: Re-thinking the Nexus of Migration and Transactional Sex”.

During the conference, various research papers were presented, each exploring the topic from a unique perspective. The presentations covered various methodologies, from qualitative to quantitative and participatory methods. This provided a valuable opportunity for attendees to learn about different ways of approaching the topic of sexuality and migration and to gain new insights into the field.

The following days of the conference featured panel discussions on various topics, such as the impact of migration on LGBTQ+ families, the role of the media in shaping perceptions of queer migrants, and the intersection of race, class, and gender in the experiences of queer migrants. I had the opportunity to present my master’s thesis project, ‘Home Sweet Home: Intimacy, Belonging, and Future for Urban Pakistani Queer Identities’, which focused on the experiences of queer Pakistanis displaced from their homes. The project was accompanied by an ethnographic film that showcased the participants’ experiences and provided a visual representation of the findings.

The film was well-received by the conference attendees and followed by a Q&A conversation, moderated by Christopher High, about the use of participatory methodology to research queer participants and displacement. This was a valuable conversation as it highlighted the importance of using inclusive and sensitive methodologies when researching sensitive topics such as sexuality and migration. In addition to presenting my research, I also had the offer of publishing my master’s research paper in the LNU open journal. This was an excellent opportunity to share my findings with a broader audience and contribute to the ongoing conversation about sexuality and migration.

In conclusion, the conference on Sexuality and Migration was a success. The presentations and discussions provided a platform for engaging in meaningful conversations about the complexities of sexuality and migration and the different approaches used to research this topic. I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in the conference, and the offer to publish my master research paper and look forward to continued engagement in this field.