COVID-19 Assemblages: Queer and Feminist Ethnographies from South Asia

This book explores the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic through queer and feminist perspectives,documenting the social history of queer and trans persons and women in South Asia and the diasporas. It examines the confining effects of the pandemic on various marginalized groups and offers critiques to deepen understanding of uneven fault lines within which historically oppressed persons reside.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 25 February 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic through the lens of queer and feminist perspectives, offering a multifaceted exploration of its effects. It serves as a testament to the dispossessions experienced by individuals and communities, while also celebrating the remarkable resilience, community building, and critical responses that emerged in the face of adversity. The book chronicles the social history of queer and trans persons, as well as women in South Asia and their diasporas, shedding light on their experiences and struggles.

Through a unique and collaborative form of ethnographic writing, the book engages in a dialogue with a diverse range of individuals, including domestic helps, caregivers, cultural workers, students, sex workers, and other precariously employed groups. It examines the restrictive effects of the pandemic on the lived realities of many queer and trans individuals, as well as those from marginalized caste backgrounds and women across different socio-economic backgrounds. The chapters in the volume weave together narratives of prejudice, hardship, self-expression, and resistance, drawing from interviews, personal accounts, poems, and stories contributed by activists, artists, and other collaborators.

The book pays particular attention to issues of power and asymmetrical relationships within the context of COVID-19, offering critiques that aim to deepen our understanding of the uneven fault lines that historically oppressed persons reside in South Asia. Exploring themes of migration, disability, and sexual politics, this book is a vital resource for scholars and researchers in the fields of gender and sexuality studies, cultural studies, South Asian studies, sociology, and social anthropology. It provides valuable insights into the complex interplay of social, cultural, and economic factors that shape the experiences of marginalized communities during times of crisis.

In conclusion, this book offers a profound and thought-provoking exploration of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic through the lens of queer and feminist perspectives. It serves as a testament to the resilience and creativity of individuals and communities, while also raising important questions about power, inequality, and the need for social change. By engaging with a wide range of voices and perspectives, it contributes to our understanding of the ongoing challenges faced by marginalized groups and provides valuable insights into the potential for collective resilience and transformation.

Weight: 380g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032201108