On October 25-26, 2024, Trier University of Applied Sciences (TUAS, Germany) and the University of Batangas (UB, Philippines), in partnership with the International Network on Sexualities and Genders within Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science (SexGen-OTOS), hosted the second Global Conference on Everyday Life, Gender, and Sexuality. This two-day virtual event brought together over 320 participants from exactly 40 countries, featuring keynote lectures, presentations, and panel discussions from internationally renowned speakers, researchers, and gender studies advocates.
The conference kicked off with special messages from key figures in the academic and professional fields. Prof. Dr. Dorit Schumann, President of TUAS; Lily Marlene J. Hernandez-Bohn, President of UB; and Samantha Shann, President of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists welcomed attendees and emphasized the significance of integrating gender and sexuality perspectives into occupational therapy and occupational science.
Day one of the conference featured a thought-provoking keynote lecture by Prof. Dr. Jeanne Jackson, a leading scholar from Ireland, who explored the historical impact of lived experiences of lesbians. She discussed how societal perceptions of gender and sexuality have evolved and their influence on occupational participation and identity. On the second day, Dr. Rodolfo Morrison, an expert from Chile, presented on the subject of unconventional parenting within LGBTQ+ communities. His talk focused on the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ parents and their children, as well as the role of occupational therapy in addressing these challenges.
Six additional presentations and two panel discussions featuring experts from the UK, USA, Ireland, and Australia further enriched the sessions. Additionally, on the second day, a UB faculty member presented a Photovoice project on LGBTQ+ healthcare experiences in Metro Manila, emphasizing the need for inclusive reforms in healthcare systems.
This event exemplifies the collaborative framework established between TUAS and UB, as formalized in their recent partnership, aiming to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically advancing gender equality and fostering global partnerships.
The inaugural Global Conference on Everyday Life, Gender, and Sexuality took place in 2019, hosted by the University of the Philippines Manila Center for Gender and Women Studies in partnership with SexGen-OTOS. Prof. Dr. Jens Schneider and Mr. Rod Charlie Delos Reyes were key organizers of this successful event.