The deconstruction of homosexuality as a stable analytical category has not been manifested in Greece with any formation and, consequently, due to the fact that gender studies are a very recent inclusion in Greek University. In recent decades, the issue of gender and sexuality identity has been the subject of research in several scientific fields such as anthropology, sociology, political science, psychology, sociobiology, psychoanalysis, and pedagogy. Sexuality as a legitimate analytical tool has only recently begun to claim existence in Greek ethnography, and in research with queer problematic. Based on these data, in Greece the thought and need arose to collect articles on the subject of gender identity and sexuality.
This interdisciplinary collective volume includes texts by distinguished academics, specialized scientists, and researchers who contribute to the emergence and depiction of contemporary studies and research on gender identity and sexuality in both Greece and Cyprus. The articles are presented in alphabetical order, respecting the citation style and writing style of each author. Through the application of a gender perspective in the study of contemporary issues, they examine the legal recognition of gender identity, human rights, queer pedagogy, school violence, and same-sex parenting. The interdisciplinary approach (sociology, psychology, pedagogy, and psychiatry) in this collective volume highlights the issues of gender identity and sexuality, as well as the necessity of this interdisciplinary approach.

Marina Galanou attempts a critical assessment of the legislation for the legal recognition of gender identity, highlighting the limitations, deficiencies, and problems that have arisen from its implementation in the two or more years it has been in force.
Eleni Daraki explores the construction of hegemonic masculinity and hyper-masculinity in primary school, specifically within the framework of physical education and school sports, while also demonstrating the questioning of crystallized hetero-normalities as a form of resistance by students.
Thanasis Theofilopoulos aims to highlight the stance of right-wing parties and organizations towards LGBTQ+ individuals, which is often openly hostile. The attitudes and perceptions of these parties towards LGBTQ+ individuals are revealed through their positions on issues such as family, demographic aging, and the position and rights of women.
Christina Ioannou focuses her study on school bullying against children characterized by diversity in terms of sexual orientation, identity, expression, and/or gender characteristics, which are more likely to experience bullying, as well as its impact on their physical and mental health and their educational and future professional performance.
Leo Kalovyrnas examines the concept of "sexual orientation," what it consists of, how it is created, and how it is calculated.

In what age does it crystallize and change over time or is it stable? Is it a physical or a cultural category? How many orientations are there? Why does it play a bigger role in life for non-heterosexuals compared to heterosexual individuals?
Athena Karatza explores the embodiment of male dominance by studying the case of Next Top Model, and observes the reproduction of the perception that women are aesthetic objects, as products of a male-centric perception.
Chloe Kolyri and Ioannis Rigas present basic psychoanalytic approaches that will allow the unfolding of a schizoanalytic mapping of gender and sexual couplings. This mapping leads to the presentation of scientific proposals regarding some queer pedagogy and psychoanalysis.
Yvonne Kosma studies the representation of the female body in Stephanie Meyer's highly popular trilogy, Twilight (2005-2008). It focuses on heterosexual desire, as this narrative leaves little room for alternative, non-heteronormative identifications. Bella's body, the series' protagonist, is not just a cultural text that records dominant power relations, but a direct site of patriarchal control.
Stalo Lesta, based on the findings and educational material prepared within the framework of the European Program HOMBAT, presents deeply rooted heteronormative perceptions in the "norms" of femininity and masculinity that often lead to attitudes of homophobia, racism, and bullying towards children with diverse gender identities.
Fotini Milioni and Martha Lebesi study the field of correctional treatment of women and post-correctional care, the policies that, until now, have responded to the large male majority, which determined the terms and conditions of this space.
Andromache Bouna and Eustratios Papanis present the results of a study on the process of coming out and the school experiences of adult individuals who self-identify as LGBTQ+ regarding the school violence they have experienced due to their sexual identity.
Fotis Politis explores the achievements of sixteen Roma students in the context of an urban primary school in southern Greece. Given the locality and partiality of the research, the performed hegemonic masculinities in the school context are interpreted as a result of the anti-school and anti-authoritarian (s)tances of these students towards education and school ethos, which they believe attempts to emasculate them and therefore challenge their masculinity.
Marina Sunoglou refers to parenthood as a human right and presents the existing legislation and case law at international, European, and national levels, as well as in Greece.
Eva Spinou analyzes the ways in which negative stereotypes and prejudices surrounding issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity affect the dynamics of the family and the impacts they have on LGBTQ+ children.

Finally, Elena-Olga Christidis and Nancy Papathanasiou present the first results of the First Nationwide Survey on the Perceptions, Attitudes, and Practices of Mental Health Specialists in providing services to LGBTQ+ individuals.

The editors are delighted to present so many contemporary studies that are distinguished by mature theoretical and research contributions from professors, as well as original studies from new researchers. We would like to thank all the authors for their valuable collaboration.

The editors:
Andromachi Bouna, Ph.D. in Sociology &
Eustratios Papanis, Assistant Professor at the University of the Aegean