The "Parameters of Desire" conference will try to trace the complex circuits of (queer) desire, with special emphasis on the dialectic of public and private spaces. Not only do we intend to problematize the very definition of "the public" versus "the private," but also to investigate the ways in which "public" and "private" spaces influence the production of desire, as well as the ways in which (queer) desire can become a tool in political, social or cultural contestation.

We would like to concentrate on such issues as:

• claiming the public space / defending the private space
• public space and the heterosexual norm
• language and the heterosexual norm
• public performance of gender
• the aesthetics of camp
• forms and strategies of public participation

The proposed conference will be fourth in a series of queer and gender studies conferences that have been organized since 2000. A selection of papers from the past two conferences (A Queer Mixture: Gender Perspectives on Minority Sexual Identites) was published in September 2002.

Abstracts of approximately 300 words (in Polish or English) should be sent by e-mail or snail mail to the address below.

Deadline for submissions is 30 April 2003.

Organizing Committee:

• Dr Tomasz Sikora, University of Bielsko-Biala
• Dr Dominika Ferens, University of Wroclaw
• Dr Tomasz Basiuk, University of Warsaw

Bielsko-Biala is located in the south of the Silesian Province, close to the borders with the Czech Republic and Slovakia, 80 km south-west of Cracow. Thanks to an excellent location at the foot of the Beskidy Mountains, it is a major tourist centre combining natural and cultural attractions. Train travel from Warsaw takes ca. 3.5 hours (from Katowice or Cracow about one hour).