Equality, Diversity, Inclusion Conference, 14-16 July 2010, Vienna,
Austria http://www.edi-conference.org/index.php
Sexual Orientation, Diversity and Equality in Organisations: Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual and Heterosexual Perspectives
Track Chairs:
Fiona Colgan and Aidan McKearney
London Metropolitan University,
(Contact: f.colgan@londonmet.ac.uk)
Sexual orientation is an issue of growing importance for organizations. It has become an important source of employee and customer diversity, as people increasingly feel able to self-identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual in organizations and society. The legislative and policy framework concerning equality and discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation has been undergoing a transformation in many parts of the world including the European Union, Australia and New Zealand, South Africa, Canada and in parts of the United States. Where strong legislation protecting the rights of LGB people has been introduced, including the right for a legal partnership, attitudes towards LGB people have been found to be more positive and inclusive. However, despite a liberalisation in social attitudes and a more comprehensive anti-discrimination legislative framework in many parts of the world, research indicates that heterosexism and homophobia remain problematic.
Although sexuality pervades every aspect of organisation and society, this is still not conventionally acknowledged. The stream aims to consider the implications of the growing visibility of the sexual orientation strand for individuals and organisations. Dunne (2000) suggests the importance of moving beyond a 'theoretical heterosexism' in studies of organisations, work and family life. We would welcome theoretical, discussion and
empirical papers from researchers and practitioners from a range of disciplines/fields who would like to explore themes on sexual orientation and sexuality. It welcomes a focus on heterosexual, lesbian, gay and bisexual perspectives on the transformations taking place. For
more information on submitting an abstract go to
http://www.edi-conference.org/streams.php
Abstracts (300 words) should be submitted electronically by 1st May 2010. In general, paper presentations at the conference will be a maximum of 20 minutes long, with 10 minutes for questions and discussion. Data projectors will be available in each conference.

Important dates
Abstract or full paper submission: 1 May 2010
Response to authors: 1 June 2010
Full conference schedule will be available 1 July 2010
After the conference, papers in this stream will be invited to be submitted for a special edition of the Equality, Diversity, Inclusion journal and a book proposal will be submitted to Routledge.