I gave a successful and quite well received paper presentation today with the preliminary ideas from my pilot study at the "Beyond Boundaries: Sexuality Across Cultures" Conference. I was on a panel with Theo van de Meer and our discussant was John De Cecco. The audience also included Jonathan N. Katz. Everyone asked great questions and gave me a lot of compliments. I have also met and interacted positively with Carole Vance. (All of these names are people whose work I have read, and, in many cases, cite in my own work.)

Some important things have followed in the day since I gave the presentation. First, John De Cecco is the editor of the Journal of Homosexuality. Several months ago when Esther Rothblum asked me if I wanted to edit a special edition of the Journal of Lesbian Studies, I wrote John and asked if he would like to make it also a special issue of JH focusing on men as well. He didn't answer, so I assumed he was not interested. Well, he hadn't gotten to his mail. He tells me here that the answer is yes, he does want me to edit an issue addressing gay male sexual practices and identity. In addition, he said he would welcome seeing papers from my other work, especially those from my master's research.

Then, Thursday morning several more people came up to complement me on my presentation. Gil Herdt called me aside and introducted me to Douglas Mitchell, Senior Editor of The University of Chicago Press. Mitchell explained that he saw my presentation and was very impressed. He said that he is very interested in publishing my dissertation work when I have it complete. I don't suppose it is common to have a publisher interested in your dissertation research before you have even applied for the grants, let alone completed the research and writing. I am excited but a little frightened. I really hope this is a good indication that I can get funding to do my research.

Being noticed by some well known people in sexuality studies is certainly turning out to be an interesting and exciting side effect of this trip. I am also enjoying other people's presentations -- and as usual, arguing with them and talking too much. I try to tone it down but I love the intellectual engagement so much that it is hard to keep a lid on my excitement.

On the personal side, even with all this excitement, I find myself getting depressed whenever I am not in the presentations or talking with other people. As I approach the two week mark on the third trip of the summer, I find myself more and more lonely. There are lots of people around, but I truly miss being with people who know me and love me (even with and maybe even because of my quirks). I miss just simply being held. I miss holding my child or watching him play or sleep. I miss my family and friends.

Love,
Dawn