DCC Gender and Sexuality Studies

Denmark has often been regarded as a pioneer in gender and sexual rights, being the first country to legalize the distribution of pornography (1969), introduce registered same-sex partnerships (1989), and grant legal gender recognition based solely on self-declaration (2014). The country has also led the way in reproductive rights, granting access to birth control (1966) and legal abortion (1973). These milestones have contributed to Denmark’s international reputation as a progressive society when it comes to gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights. While feminist and LGBTQ+ movements have played a crucial role in shaping policy, tensions remain—particularly in debates on migration, racial justice, and bodily autonomy. This raises important questions: How have these legal milestones shaped contemporary understandings of gender and sexuality? Who has been included in Denmark’s vision of equality, and who has been left out? Examining these dynamics allows us to critically engage with both the successes and the ongoing struggles in the field of gender and sexuality.

Through an interdisciplinary approach that draws on feminist, queer, and cultural history, we will explore key topics such as:

• Feminism and feminist Movements: The evolution of feminist politics in Denmark, from the fight for reproductive rights to contemporary debates on gender and equality.
• LGBTQ+ Activism: The role of activism in securing rights for same-sex couples and trans individuals, as well as ongoing struggles for bodily autonomy and healthcare access.
• State Regulation of Sexuality and Reproduction: The history of abortion rights, contraception, and sex education in Denmark.
• Race, Colonialism, and Sexuality: The ways in which Denmark’s colonial history has influenced contemporary debates on gender, race, and national belonging.

By the end of the course, students will have developed a nuanced understanding of Denmark’s role as a global frontrunner in gender and sexual rights, while also recognizing the complexities and contradictions that shape these narratives. They will be encouraged to critically assess how historical and contemporary struggles over gender and sexuality continue to evolve, and to reflect on the ways in which policy, activism, and cultural discourse intersect in shaping futures for gender and sexual justice.

Name of Exam: HDCB01211E Gender and Sexuality
www.danishculturecourse.ku.dk