Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies Conference

Call for Proposals and Art

This is a call to action! There have been recent shifts in the political, social, and cultural discourse around the identities, power, and positionalities of women as well as gender diverse and sexual minority folx. These shifts upend progress in some areas while offering opportunities for new growth elsewhere. Along with research and dialogue, action is fundamental because it empowers us to put theory into practice.
 
The University of South Dakota Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies Conference is an opportunity for people across a myriad of genders, sexualities, and identities to explore the practice of empowerment and advocacy as well as analyze and engage the structures of power that shape our world. Our goal is to foster communication that builds cross-disciplinary bridges between academics, practitioners, and citizens in addition to exploring self and community empowerment in our professional and daily practices.
 
We invite submissions that demonstrate this ethos through scholarship, advocacy, artistic expression, and engagement. We encourage dialogue about challenges and triumphs, advice and advocacy, creative methods of replenishment and refueling for sustained action, and future roads ahead. Let’s do something!
The conference also seeks submissions of artwork for a juried exhibition held in conjunction with our conference. This exhibit will be held in the Muenster University Center at the University of South Dakota.

Deadline for submission is January 21, 2025 

Proposals, art and questions should be submitted to [email protected].

All presenters and artists will be notified in January 2025. Proposals should be submitted as an electronic email attachment. 

Guidelines Individual or Session Proposals

The conference welcomes proposals for individual presentations or sessions from faculty, students (undergraduate and graduate), and organizations, professionals, and community members. In addition to academic papers, we welcome posters, readings of creative writing, roundtable or workshop sessions, and music or dramatic performances. 

Submit an abstract of 300-500 words detailing the content and scope of the presentation. Include title, name and affiliations, and contact information. Individual presentations should not exceed 15 minutes. Session proposals should not exceed 75 minutes. Please identify any equipment or space requirements.

Guidelines for Visual Art Submissions

Submit image(s) of 300 dpi for up to 3 works along with the following information:
Name
Title
Year
Medium
Size
Technology Requirements (if relevant) 

If accepted, artwork must be received by March 10. Works must be ready to install. Instructions for drop-off time and location will be announced. Works that will be shipped should include a return shipping label.

Register for the WGSS Conference

Featured Speakers

Lyz Lenz, author 

Lyz is a New York Times bestselling author, whose writing has appeared in The Washington Post, the Columbia Journalism Review, The New York Times, and others. Her book God Land was published in 2019, through Indiana University Press. Her second book Belabored, was published in 2020 by Bold Type Books. Lyz’s essay “All the Angry Women” was also included in the anthology Not that Bad edited by Roxane Gay. Her third book, This American Ex-Wife, published in 2024, was an instant New York Times best seller. She is also the host of the This American Ex-Wife podcast. 

Lyz received her MFA in creative writing from Lesley University. She lives in Iowa with her two kids and two dogs. She writes a regular newsletter, Men Yell At Me, where she explores the intersection of politics and our bodies in red-state America.

Felipa's Lakota name is Tecigila Wi. She is Oglala Lakota from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Felipa has been in a same-sex relationship with her wife Monique “Muffie” Mousseau for 15+ years and been married 6 years. They have 5 children and 6 grandchildren. They are both alcohol and drug free. Felipa was in the workforce for 30 years. She studied business administration and management with the emphasis in accounting. She has certificates in early childhood development. She has many accomplishments in her life, the ones she is most proud of are her 5 children and 6 grandchildren. She is also proud of being part of monumental events which is passing the Marriage Equality Law on July 8th, 2019, passing the Hate Crime Protection Laws for the LGBTQ 2 spirit on September 4th, 2019, on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, passing the Hate Crime Protection Law on December 11, 2019, on the Crow Creek Indian Reservation and helped bring together the Hate Crime Bill # 166 to the state of South Dakota.

Muffie's Lakota name is Canupa mani Wi (Walks with Pipe Women). She is a member of the Oglala Lakota oyate. She has a bachelor’s degree in Education, Associate Arts and a Science degree in Natural Resources Management, Pre-engineering. She has served as Oglala Sioux Rural Water Supply System Easement Coordinator and is an IPA Federal Certified Police Officer. She has traveled throughout the western United States for Pow Wow and Rodeo. Muffie is an advocate/activist for child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, homelessness, Native American Rights, Minority Discrimination, MMIWM, Native American LGBTQ2S. She is strong in the belief of Mitakuye Oyasin, Mother Earth, all connections.