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"We don't Strive for Gay Parades!": The Conceptual Anorexia of Female Sexual and Bodily Rights in Beirut Analyzed from a Queer Perspective

Björck, Laura LU (2015) MOSM03 20151
Centre for Middle Eastern Studies
Abstract
This thesis aims to analyze female sexual and bodily rights in Lebanon from a queer perspective, focusing on issues such as space and visibility and the strategically neglecting of historical existence of female narratives, referred to as conceptual anorexia. The thesis was preceded by a field work conducted in Beirut where observations of the field and interviews with LGBTQ- and/or feminist activists constitute the main empirical data. Queer theory and methodology is permeating the thesis and identifying some core assumptions on which this thesis relies, such as the understanding of gender to be socially constructed and performed. The findings suggest that patriarchal structures and a heteronormative gaze exist even within the LGBTQ... (More)
This thesis aims to analyze female sexual and bodily rights in Lebanon from a queer perspective, focusing on issues such as space and visibility and the strategically neglecting of historical existence of female narratives, referred to as conceptual anorexia. The thesis was preceded by a field work conducted in Beirut where observations of the field and interviews with LGBTQ- and/or feminist activists constitute the main empirical data. Queer theory and methodology is permeating the thesis and identifying some core assumptions on which this thesis relies, such as the understanding of gender to be socially constructed and performed. The findings suggest that patriarchal structures and a heteronormative gaze exist even within the LGBTQ communities, which is causing internal marginalization of women and trans individuals. However, the general taboo surrounding female sexuality in Lebanon is indeed limiting women but is similarly being used as providing a somewhat opportunity to escape the heteronormative gaze. Criticizing the Western domination of queer politics, the informants of this study all strive for an Arab interpretation of queer concepts and identities. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Björck, Laura LU
supervisor
organization
course
MOSM03 20151
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
feminism, Beirut, Lebanon, queer, conceptual anorexia, LGBTQ
language
English
id
7753347
date added to LUP
2015-08-10 10:39:03
date last changed
2015-08-10 10:39:03
@misc{7753347,
  abstract     = {{This thesis aims to analyze female sexual and bodily rights in Lebanon from a queer perspective, focusing on issues such as space and visibility and the strategically neglecting of historical existence of female narratives, referred to as conceptual anorexia. The thesis was preceded by a field work conducted in Beirut where observations of the field and interviews with LGBTQ- and/or feminist activists constitute the main empirical data. Queer theory and methodology is permeating the thesis and identifying some core assumptions on which this thesis relies, such as the understanding of gender to be socially constructed and performed. The findings suggest that patriarchal structures and a heteronormative gaze exist even within the LGBTQ communities, which is causing internal marginalization of women and trans individuals. However, the general taboo surrounding female sexuality in Lebanon is indeed limiting women but is similarly being used as providing a somewhat opportunity to escape the heteronormative gaze. Criticizing the Western domination of queer politics, the informants of this study all strive for an Arab interpretation of queer concepts and identities.}},
  author       = {{Björck, Laura}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{"We don't Strive for Gay Parades!": The Conceptual Anorexia of Female Sexual and Bodily Rights in Beirut Analyzed from a Queer Perspective}},
  year         = {{2015}},
}