Inventing, Expressing, Experiencing Sexuality: Critical Approaches beyond the Dichotomy of Norm and Transgression

The purpose of the workshop is to bring together early-career scholars researching sexualities broadly and across historical disciplines. The aim is to challenge the history of sexuality from different research fields and to move beyond the dichotomy of norm and transgression.
Through a critical examination of types and domains of expertise, institutional dimensions, and representations of sexuality, we intend to shed light on the complex system of values, ideas, and practices in which specific case histories and discourses are situated. While our primary focus is the Early Modern period, we also welcome contributions addressing other timeframes.
We interpret 'sexuality' as encompassing bodily, behavioural and relational traits. We assume that, at a given time and place, sexual norms involve the definition of sexes, the regulation of behaviours for each sex, and the regulation of interactions between different sexes. In line with early modern uses of the term, we use the word 'sex' to refer to both anatomical categories and socio-cultural gender roles.
Throughout the workshop, we will discuss authorities that regulate the definition of sex; sexual expressions within and outside the norms; queer and gendered identities. Examples include: cases of ambiguous sex, intersexuality and “hermaphroditism,” cross-dressing, homosexuality, pre-marital and extramarital relationships.
Furthermore, we welcome reflections on methodological issues and sources that could be relevant in this field. Specifically, we would like to consider the challenges of reconstructing silenced voices using different methodological approaches in different disciplines.

Date

16th - 17th April 2026

Location

Seidlvilla, Nikolaiplatz 1b, 80802 München

Contact

Martina Ravaioli: martina.ravaioli@uni-bonn.de
Laura Schiavone: laura.schiavone@lmu.de