DRS/SRI: Sexuality Discourse and Queer Organizing in the Political Context of Palestine

Abstract

This talk will introduce the complexity of sexuality and queer organizing in the Palestinian context and liberation struggle. It will explore the various factors that make queer organizing in specific a major political issue, both in terms of local and international dynamic, power and interests.

A major theme will be Israel’s strategy of « pinkwashing » – seeking legitimacy and justifying attacks on Palestinians by claiming that it has a good record on LGBT rights. The discussion on how we fight for liberation and oppose imperialism as interlinked strategies is a crucial one for growing debate about international queer solidarity.

The intersectionality of struggles in Palestine and the complexity of opposing identity politics - when it comes to sexual liberation and nationalism projects - will be contested.  

About the speaker

 Ramzy Kumsieh is a Palestinian queer activist. He is a member of alQaws for Sexual & Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society, and a member of the Palestinian Queers for Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions (BDS; at: http://www.pqbds.com/) – an independent activists group working to promote BDS among queer communities, internationally and locally.

Ramzy is based in Amsterdam, where he takes part in local queer activism in the Netherlands, through the autonomous Queeristan. He also works on a more general political platform in promoting a Palestinian vision of Palestine within the Netherlands through Palestine Link.

Ramzy lectures in the areas of Sexuality, The Palestinian Resistance, Queer, resistance and Pinkwaching, and the History of Palestine.

See for more information:

Please contact Dr Wendy Harcourt: harcourt@remove-this.iss.nl and Dr Silke Heumann: heumann@remove-this.iss.nl

Full DRS/SRI: 'Why Sex Counts' Programme

How to get to ISS