Queer Economics, Postcoloniality, and the Lesbian Enclave in Eresos: A Subaltern Perspective on Alternative Economics

• In Event: 035 - Section on Sex and Gender Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 18. Resistance

Abstract

Alternative economics refers to practices and enterprises by which one earns an income that conflicts or is intentionally resistant to the dominant logic or practices of the dominant economic system. This includes economic activities that are currently flourishing such as cooperatives, farmer’s markets, and small-scale enterprises. The recent blossoming of small scale and community oriented economics have been considered from the alternative economic perspectives such as social economy, localism, community economics, and solidarity economy. That sexualities and gender shape economic choices, including alternative economic choice is fairly absent in the alternative economic literature. In addition, limited consideration has been given to how some places provide a socio-cultural landscape for alternative economics to flourish. This paper draws on subaltern analysis and queer economics to reexamine alternative economics and argues that sexualities and place, and the marginalization of both, are fundamental to the practice of alternative economics. The analysis is based on ethnographic research conducted in Skala Eresos, Greece (2008, 2009, 2012) where a transnational lesbian enclave flourishes and lesbian tourism has continued for over 30 years.

Author

• Marina Karides, University of Hawaii-Hilo