2005 Programme Session 2

Session 2: Sexuality and Citizenship
Chair: Tracy Citeroni

Invisible Immigrants: Exploring the Lives of Gays and Lesbians From Latin America
Katie Acosta
Department of Sociology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Ct, USA

In this study, I have drawn a connection between immigration scholarship and sexualities scholarship in order to show the ways in which they influence each other. I explore the specific ways that immigration laws control the sexuality of gays and lesbians by constraining the conditions under which they are able to immigrate. Luibheid (2001) highlights the role of immigration law in constraining gays and lesbians but he does not explore the alternatives that gay and lesbian immigrants employ in order to gain entry to the US. In this work, I seek to create a bridge in the debate regarding the constraints of immigration law and the everyday lives of gay and lesbians who are affected by them. Building on the work of Cantu (2001), Espin (1999), Luibheid (2002), and Phelan (2001), my work elaborates on the significance of gender, class and sexuality in the immigration patterns of gay and lesbians. Second, I analyze the ways in which the constraints placed on gays and lesbians in their native country influence their desire to immigrate. Last, I analyze the processes which gay and lesbians engage in in order to enter the U.S.
This study is informed by 11 in-depth interviews with gay and lesbian immigrants from Latin America who are living in the U.S. In analyzing the data, I have identified prevailing themes which have served as the organizing principles of this work. They include 1) The complex ways that the limitations of the laws regulate the immigration process for sexual minorities, thus influencing their identities 2) the role that sexuality plays in motivating gays and lesbians to immigrate to the U.S. and 3) the complex ways that family ties are maintained and hindered by rigid immigration policies.

Sexual Citizenship in Australia and New Zealand
Dina Giovanelli
Department of Sociology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Ct, USA

While research the sexual citizenship laws within the context of Australia and New Zealand, it became interesting to me that despite the similarities in political structure, there are vast differences when considering the legal contexts of both countries. The assumption would be that due to the similarities in political history and structure, similarities would exist regarding legal structure as well, including laws regarding sexual citizenship. This is simply not the case.
We are investigating the differences that exist between the two countries regarding sexual citizenship laws. By doing a comparative analysis of the two countries, we are hopeful to arrive at reasoning behind the dramatic differences that exist within their sexual citizenship laws.
Analysis, thus far, includes:

1. an overview of the similarities in political structure of both countries
2. the differences in law that exist between the two countries regarding sexual citizenship, with a specific focus on:

a) partnership and sexual relationship rights
b) issues of immigration and asylum
c) custody, adoption, and insemination law
d) reproductive rights and freedoms

3. the agencies and organizations that work for sexual citizenship rights
4. the influences imposing against legal recognition of sexual citizenship right

Sexual Citizenship in International Context
Nancy A. Naples
Sociology and Women's Studies Advisor, Women's Studies Graduate Certificate, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA

This paper will discuss the preliminary findings of a comparative analysis of sexual citizenship and immigration policies as they relate to the human rights of gay men and lesbians. This preliminary analysis forms part of a larger investigation of sexual citizenship in international context. Since the 1990s, immigration by gay men and lesbians and their need for asylum as a consequence of political oppression has received growing international attention. However, many questions remain unexamined. How have different nation-states responded to pressures to expand citizen rights for gays and lesbians? What factors contribute to the expansion of citizenship rights for gays and lesbians? What is the role of the gay and lesbian movement in securing these changes? What is the role of international government and non-governmental organizations in the expansion of citizenship rights for gays and lesbians? Using data gathered through published reports by international gay and lesbian rights organizations and by relevant national groups as well as by international and national human rights organizations, we document the current legal and political climate for gay men and lesbians as it relates to their ability to immigrate as“out” sexual citizens.



2nd Global Conference Wednesday 30th November - Saturday 3rd December 2005 Vienna, Austria Conference Programme, Abstracts and Papers
Session 2: Sexuality and Citizenship Chair: Tracy Citeroni Invisible Immigrants: Exploring the Lives of Gays and Lesbians From Latin America Katie Acosta Department of Sociology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Ct, USA In this study, I have drawn a connection between immigration scholarship and sexualities scholarship in order to show the ways in which they influence each other. I explore the specific ways that immigration laws control the sexuality of gays and lesbians by constraining the conditions under which they are able to immigrate. Luibheid (2001) highlights the role of immigration law in constraining gays and lesbians but he does not explore the alternatives that gay and lesbian immigrants employ in order to gain entry to the US. In this work, I seek to create a bridge in the debate regarding the constraints of immigration law and the everyday lives of gay and lesbians who are affected by them. Building on the work of Cantu (2001), Espin (1999), Luibheid (2002), and Phelan (2001), my work elaborates on the significance of gender, class and sexuality in the immigration patterns of gay and lesbians. Second, I analyze the ways in which the constraints placed on gays and lesbians in their native country influence their desire to immigrate. Last, I analyze the processes which gay and lesbians engage in in order to enter the U.S. This study is informed by 11 in-depth interviews with gay and lesbian immigrants from Latin America who are living in the U.S. In analyzing the data, I have identified prevailing themes which have served as the organizing principles of this work. They include 1) The complex ways that the limitations of the laws regulate the immigration process for sexual minorities, thus influencing their identities 2) the role that sexuality plays in motivating gays and lesbians to immigrate to the U.S. and 3) the complex ways that family ties are maintained and hindered by rigid immigration policies. Sexual Citizenship in Australia and New Zealand Dina Giovanelli Department of Sociology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Ct, USA While research the sexual citizenship laws within the context of Australia and New Zealand, it became interesting to me that despite the similarities in political structure, there are vast differences when considering the legal contexts of both countries. The assumption would be that due to the similarities in political history and structure, similarities would exist regarding legal structure as well, including laws regarding sexual citizenship. This is simply not the case. We are investigating the differences that exist between the two countries regarding sexual citizenship laws. By doing a comparative analysis of the two countries, we are hopeful to arrive at reasoning behind the dramatic differences that exist within their sexual citizenship laws. Analysis, thus far, includes: 1. an overview of the similarities in political structure of both countries 2. the differences in law that exist between the two countries regarding sexual citizenship, with a specific focus on: a) partnership and sexual relationship rights b) issues of immigration and asylum c) custody, adoption, and insemination law d) reproductive rights and freedoms 3. the agencies and organizations that work for sexual citizenship rights 4. the influences imposing against legal recognition of sexual citizenship right Sexual Citizenship in International Context Nancy A. Naples Sociology and Women's Studies Advisor, Women's Studies Graduate Certificate, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA This paper will discuss the preliminary findings of a comparative analysis of sexual citizenship and immigration policies as they relate to the human rights of gay men and lesbians. This preliminary analysis forms part of a larger investigation of sexual citizenship in international context. Since the 1990s, immigration by gay men and lesbians and their need for asylum as a consequence of political oppression has received growing international attention. However, many questions remain unexamined. How have different nation-states responded to pressures to expand citizen rights for gays and lesbians? What factors contribute to the expansion of citizenship rights for gays and lesbians? What is the role of the gay and lesbian movement in securing these changes? What is the role of international government and non-governmental organizations in the expansion of citizenship rights for gays and lesbians? Using data gathered through published reports by international gay and lesbian rights organizations and by relevant national groups as well as by international and national human rights organizations, we document the current legal and political climate for gay men and lesbians as it relates to their ability to immigrate as“out” sexual citizens.
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