Abstract:

In this talk, I will present and discuss how Danish (male) homosexuality has become increasingly intertwined with national narratives about Danish exceptionalism. I will discuss these new configurations of homosexuality within normative and national imageries based on readings of Danish legislations around what is framed as central gay rights, notably legislation on registered partnership/same-sex marriage and adoption. This discussion will lead to a presentation of my recent fieldwork on transnational commercial surrogacy, where I will discuss how Danish gay men negotiate and organize their differentiated and flexible positions of precarity and privilege in relation to race, gender, nation, and sexuality, when they engage in transnational commercial surrogacy and become fathers. Throughout the talk I will draw on queer theories, notably queer of color critique and homonationalism.

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Assistant Professor Michael Nebeling Petersen has worked on the biopolitical reconfigurations of the homosexual figure at Copenhagen University, but is now situated at the University of Southern Denmark. His most recent publications covers exiting topics such as gay hook-up apps, homo-nationalism, and surrogacy for gay fathers.

Speaker: Assistant Professor Michael Nebeling Petersen, Southern Denmark University, Dept. of the Study of Culture

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