The Sexual Politics of Empire: Postcolonial Homophobia in Haiti

Evangelical Christians and members of the global LGBTQI human rights movement have vied for influence in Haiti since the 2010 earthquake, with each side accusing the other of serving foreign interests. Erin L. Durban's book explores the creative ways that same-sex desiring and gender creative Haitians contend with anti-LGBTQI violence and ongoing foreign intervention.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 03 January 2023
Publisher: University of Illinois Press

Since the devastating 2010 earthquake, evangelical Christians and members of the global LGBTQI human rights movement have engaged in a fierce battle for influence in Haiti. Both sides accuse the other of serving foreign interests, yet they propose future foreign interventions on behalf of their respective causes. Despite Haiti's traumatic past with European colonialism and American imperialism, these competing discourses continue to shape discussions of intervention.

One discourse maintains imperialist notions of a backward Haiti, riddled with cultural deficiencies that require foreign supervision to overcome Haitians resistance to progress. This perspective views Haiti as an underdeveloped country that needs external intervention to overcome its challenges. The other discourse sees Haiti as a modern but failed state that exists solely through its capacity for violence, including homophobia.

In the context of these competing claims, Erin L. Durban delves into the creative ways that same-sex desiring and gender creative Haitians contend with anti-LGBTQI violence and ongoing foreign intervention. Through her insightful analysis, Durban highlights the resilience and ingenuity of these communities as they navigate a complex political and social landscape.

The Sexual Politics of Empire offers a valuable contribution to the study of LGBTQI rights and interventions in postcolonial contexts. It challenges the dominant narratives that portray Haiti as a helpless and backward country in need of external intervention. Instead, it presents a nuanced and complex understanding of LGBTQI life in Haiti, highlighting the ways in which these communities have adapted and resisted in the face of adversity.

The book also sheds light on the broader political and economic forces that shape LGBTQI life in Haiti and beyond. Durban explores the ways in which American imperialism, neoliberalism, and globalization have impacted LGBTQI rights and the experiences of gender and sexual minorities in the region. She argues that these forces have contributed to the marginalization and oppression of LGBTQI individuals, while also creating opportunities for resistance and empowerment.

Overall, The Sexual Politics of Empire is a must-read for anyone interested in LGBTQI rights, postcolonialism, and the complexities of global power dynamics. It provides a powerful and nuanced analysis of LGBTQI life in contemporary Haiti, offering valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by these communities.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780252086847