Event Details

Dr Cinzia Priola from Open University presents this research seminar (co-authored with Diego Lasio, Francesco Serri and Silvia De Simone).

The presentation will focus on a recent paper (forthcoming in Organization) theorising sexual inclusion in the workplace. Drawing on a genealogical analysis (Foucault, 1977a, 1978, 1984a, 1984b) of sexuality and inclusion in four Italian social firms that support the work and social integration of disadvantaged individuals, the paper provides an in-depth analysis of the historical conditions affecting the management of sexualities in organisations. The paper exposes the fragility and contradictions inherent in the notion of inclusion, by illustrating how efforts to ‘include’ are often grounded on normative principles. It also shows how heteronormativity works, in practice, to moderate different modalities of LGBTQ inclusion, recreating hierarchies and binaries within LGBTQ individuals. The paper discusses how the power of heteronormativity produces specific meanings of inclusion within which some LGBTQ workers are included and normalised, and others remain excluded because they do not conform to normative conventions and flaunt their ‘diversity’. The paper concludes by shedding light on how, within a heteronormative regime shaped by neoliberal predicaments, “inclusive” organizations might continue to exclude LGBTQ individuals.