About us
In 2006, inspired by post-structuralist sexual approaches, the Human Sexuality Studies Laboratory (LabEshu) was founded within the Psychology Department of the Federal University of Pernambuco. Registered on the Directory of Brazilian Research Groups of the National Council for Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq), LabEshu brings together teacher-researchers, students, professionals, activists and others interested in the study of sexualities and gender.
Adopting a counter-colonial perspective that highlights the markers of sexual orientation, sex-gender, as well as race, social class, religion and other forms of belonging, the group aims to construct responses to sexual grievances and thus conceptualize significant categories whose meanings are in constant conflict, both locally and internationally: Sexual Rights, Reproductive Rights and Erotic Justice.
In order to achieve this goal, LabEshu conducts scientific research; produces monographs, dissertations and theses; holds seminars and workshops; offers courses, training and study groups; provides advice to public and private institutions; and publishes articles in scientific journals, chapters and books, notably the series “Gender, Sexuality and Human Rights.”
Lines of research
Gender, sexualities, feminist theories and arts. Research into phenomena related to gender, sexualities and arts, based on post-structuralist feminist and decolonial theories.
Development and evaluation of methodologies for sexual health education
Research and/evaluation of paradigms, models, intervention programmes and/or projects, with a focus on collective processes, groups and/or individuals in order to develop technologies based on scientific evidence.
Homosexuality and life phases
Research into social constructions of homosexuality, with an emphasis on stigmatization processes and their impact on health and citizenship, looking at the different phases of the life course.
Sexuality, Gender, Race Relations and their interfaces with Contemporary Psychoanalytic Practice
Interdisciplinary reflection (Psychoanalysis, Post-Structural and Decolonial Studies) which examine normative sex-gender systems and their implications for the production of sexualities and subjectivities viewed as non-normative, in order to support the review and update of Contemporary Psychoanalytic Practice. LabEshu also analyses challenges to the implementation of Antiracist Psychoanalytic Clinical Practice, taking account of the racism that structures our society and permeates the theoretical, political and ethical framework of Psychoanalysis, as well as the specificities imposed by the marks of violence in the black subjectification process.
Public Health Policies for LGBTQIA+ people
Expanding knowledge about access to and the process of comprehensive healthcare for LGBTQIA+ people, in order to contribute to proposals for public health policies in Brazil, supporting evaluation, review, implementation and professional training/capacity building.
