Queer Politics in Times of New Authoritarianisms: Popular Culture in South Asia

Queerness remains a central fault line in contemporary South Asia, with colonial-era 'anti-sodomy laws' still in effect. New authoritarianisms have reignited old fault lines around sexuality, but mainstream ideological agendas do not represent the diversity of queer lives. This book seeks to encourage critical thinking by suggesting ways in which notions of culture, neoliberalism, nationalism, and queerness are disentangled in the context of new authoritarianisms.

Format: Hardback
Length: 108 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Queerness continues to be a significant dividing line in contemporary South Asia, with colonial-era 'anti-sodomy laws' serving as a stark reminder of the region's shared imperial past and the enduring legacies of colonialism. These laws, codified in Article 377 of the penal codes in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, or Article 365 in Sri Lanka, have had a profound impact on the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals in the region.

However, the emergence of new authoritarianism in South Asia has reignited old fault lines around sexuality, creating a challenging environment for LGBTQ+ individuals. At the same time, new media technologies have facilitated the growth of queer networks, connecting diasporic spaces with mainland South Asia and the global community.

While these developments offer hope for greater LGBTQ+ visibility and representation, it is important to note that they are not without their discontinuities. In recent years, there has been an explosion of LGBTQ+ visibility in South Asian film, television, and new media, particularly in India and Pakistan. This visibility has been accompanied by mainstream ideological agendas that often fail to represent the diverse experiences of queer lives in South Asia, particularly along key identities such as caste, class, religion, and region.

This book seeks to encourage critical thinking by exploring the ways in which notions of culture, neoliberalism, nationalism, and queerness intersect in the context of new authoritarianism in South Asia. The chapters in this volume address these critical issues and offer innovative perspectives on sexual politics and its interplay with popular culture and authoritarian politics in contemporary South Asia.

The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of South Asian Popular Culture, a journal dedicated to the study of popular culture in the region. The issue focused on the ways in which LGBTQ+ individuals and communities are navigating the complex terrain of new authoritarianism, and the challenges and opportunities that arise in this context.

In conclusion, queerness remains a central fault line in contemporary South Asia, with colonial-era laws and new authoritarianism shaping the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals and communities. While new media technologies have facilitated greater LGBTQ+ visibility and representation, it is essential to recognize the limitations of these trajectories and to work towards a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

Weight: 380g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032610337