This panel finds itself at the crossroads of queer theory, diaspora studies and masculinities studies. „Queer masculinity“ indicates ways of being masculine at the limits of heteronormative constructions of masculinity that potentially disrupt traditional images of the hegemonic heterosexual masculine. Explorations of the diversity of masculinity will facilitate problematization of ‚straight‘ understandings of diasporas, Islam as well as queerness. To this end the panel seeks to reassess questions of sexuality, religion and ‚race‘ in relation to broader issues of migrant identity formation and transnational cultural production. The aim is not only to bring sexuality more to the fore in diaspora studies, but also to highlight the role of migration and religion in queer theory. The different papers in the panel seek to identify both the potentialities and limits of thinking together issues of migration, religion and sexuality transnationally. Some questions that will be addressed are: How can queer theory and diaspora studies be placed in productive dialogue with masculinities studies? How does sexuality interact with other factors such as class and religion to construct and heterogenise diasporic communities? Investigating contemporary sexual politics in Turkey and the Turkish diaspora, Esma Durugönül and Cihan Ertan will analyse the relation between Islam and non-normative masculinities. The politics of desire in diasporic spaces and its consequences for gender roles will be the focus of Iman Al-Ghafari‘s contribution. The relation between Arab transnational media and the formation of Islamic as well as queer diasporic communities in North America will be analysed by Karim Tartoussieh. And lastly, María do Mar Castro Varela and Nikita Dhawan will explore how the postcolonial queer functions as a provocation for both: the (self-)construction of the so called liberal, modern West as well as postcolonial nation-building where decolonisation is often equated with remasculinisation.

Observations and Thoughts Concerning Homosexuality in Turkey Abstract (english)
Asst. Prof. Dr. Esma Durugönül & Res. Ass. Cihan Ertan, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey