LGBTQ STUDIES

Description

The book investigates the construction of gender and sexuality in India through philosophical, literary, cinematic, legal, and digital lenses. It opens with Heideggerian notions of thrownness and extends to contemporary theories of performativity, deconstruction, and queer theory, arguing that gender is socially conditioned and that binary categories marginalise LGBTQ people. Subsequent chapters trace historical shifts from pre‑colonial acceptance to colonial criminalisation, and examine modern legal reforms such as the 2018 decriminalisation of Section 377 and the 2019 Transgender Persons Act. The work also analyses representations in film, novels, and media, and presents case studies of transgender activists and professionals from Odisha, illustrating how visibility challenges entrenched norms. Digital spaces are explored as sites of intimacy and risk, while transphobia is examined across family, education, and public institutions. The book concludes with discussions on intersectionality, religious narratives, and the need for inclusive policies, offering a comprehensive overview of the challenges and progress of LGBTQ communities in India.