Call for Papers:

Issue 2 (2016)
de genere. Journal of Literary, Postcolonial and Gender Studies / Rivista di studi letterari, postcoloniali e di genere
www.degenere-journal.it

HUMOSEXUALLY SPEAKING
Laughter and the Intersections of Gender

Eds. Giuseppe Balirano and Delia Chiaro

Humour can be a very dangerous activity, especially if laughter works at downplaying minority groups. People will generally laugh at anything despite the fact that somebody – or some specific groups – may be insulted by being the butt of a joke. The biased image which tends to pass through humour construes LGBTI people within negative representations, encompassing illness and death, but also depicting them as sex maniacs or perverts. Through humour, these features are often taken for granted by the whole of society, constituting the origin of prejudices which are commonly based upon the rejection of the targeted group. The repetition of the very same biased representation can lead to the formation of accepted discourses in various societies bringing jaundiced ideological representations to the status of semiosis, therefore no longer visible as negative or exclusionary ideologies.
Focusing on the social function of humour in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities in postcolonial settings, we wish to posit that humour also has the power to constantly strengthen and re-interpret the social, cultural and legal exclusion of some fully-fledged members of society.

Homosexuality in humorous discourses is a very hot topic. However, there has been very little systematic investigation into the relationship between humour and LGBTI people, and in particular, there is no consistent research about the issue in postcolonial contexts.

We invite original contributions on theoretical reflections, as well as analytical exploration into the language of jokes, stand-up comedians, internet blogs, films, TV series and other written and/or audiovisual materials connected with the themes identified and produced in English speaking countries. Intercultural and interdisciplinary approaches are most welcome.

For submissions and queries please write to us at degenere.journal@gmail.com

Deadline for abstract proposals (300 words and short bio): 30 January 2016.

Articles will be due on 31 March 2016.