New Books in LGBTQ+ Studies

Evangelical Christians and members of the global LGBTQI human rights movement have vied for influence in Haiti since the 2010 earthquake. Each side accuses the other of serving foreign interests. Yet each proposes future foreign interventions on behalf of their respective causes despite the country’s traumatic past with European colonialism and American imperialism. In The Sexual Politics of the Empire: Postcolonial Homophobia in Haiti (University of Illinois Press, 2023), author Erin L. Durban shows two discourses dominate discussions of intervention. One maintains imperialist notions of a backward Haiti so riddled with cultural deficiencies that foreign supervision is necessary to overcome Haitians’ resistance to progress. The other sees Haiti as a modern but failed state that exists only through its capacity for violence, including homophobia. In the context of these competing claims, the book explores the creative ways that same-sex desiring and gender creative Haitians contend with anti-LGBTQI violence and ongoing foreign intervention.As the episode neared its conclusion, Erin took a moment to shine a spotlight on the vital efforts of various organizations operating within Haiti, emphasizing the significance of their work and expressing a keen interest in bringing their endeavors to the forefront. The aim was not only to acknowledge these organizations but also to explore avenues through which individuals could offer their support, be it through donations, volunteering, or simply by raising awareness about their commendable efforts. These entities represent just a fraction of the many groups making a difference in Haiti, and include: 1. The Haitian Studies Association: An organization dedicated to scholarly research and academic excellence concerning Haiti and its diaspora. 2. The Lambi Fund of Haiti: A group focused on supporting economic justice, democracy, and sustainable development in Haiti through grassroots initiatives. 3. Partners In Health (PIH) in Haiti: A healthcare organization committed to bringing high-quality health care to some of Haiti's most remote areas. 4. Association of Haitian Women in Boston: An organization aimed at empowering Haitian women by providing them with resources to achieve social and economic stability. Erin L. Durban is an associate professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, affiliated with American Studies; Gender, Women, Sexuality Studies; and the Center for Race, Indigeneity, Disability, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Their scholarship works at the intersections of interdisciplinary feminist and queer studies, transnational American studies, critical disability studies, and critical ecologies.Aleem Mahabir is a PhD candidate in Geography at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica. His research interests lie at the intersection of Urban Geography, Social Exclusion, and Psychology. His dissertation research focuses on the link among negative psychosocial dispositions, exclusion, and under-development among marginalized communities in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. You can find him on Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/lgbtq-studies

A discussion on the unique experience of being queer and Indian in southern West Virginia, challenging stereotypes in literature. Exploring family history, geographical storytelling, and the concept of home. Navigating generational perspectives on society, activism, and embracing Appalachian identity. Delving into shared survival strategies and parenting challenges in a queer family context.

Dr. Kareem Khubchandani discusses decolonizing drag, highlighting gender, colonialism, and resistance in performances. The podcast explores the intersection of drag with societal norms, authenticity, and inclusivity. It delves into the political histories of clothing, challenging norms and representation in performances.

Delving into the history of the Hijra community in colonial India, the podcast explores British colonial efforts to eradicate and eliminate this gender non-conforming group. It discusses the criminalization of the community, colonial anxieties surrounding gender, and the struggles faced in classifying gender and sexuality. The narrative also touches on the impact of colonial governance on the Hijra community and the post-colonial repercussions of laws governing gender and sexuality in present-day India.

Discover the rebellious lives of Margaret Anderson and Jane Heap, founders of the influential 'Little Review'. Explore their promotion of radical trends, support for women writers, and embrace of mysticism. Uncover their impact on modernism, feminism, and cultural norms.

Historian and author Damon Scott discusses the impact of urban development on queer political identity in postwar San Francisco. He explores the history of waterfront drinking establishments that became gay bars, the shift from containment to displacement of queer spaces, and the collective response of LGBTQ+ communities. Topics covered include queer land use, racial integration, bar raids, police graft, flourishing queer land uses, and the importance of queer spaces in urban redevelopment.

Author Michael P. Jeffries discusses the challenges faced by Black and queer college students on campus, exploring topics such as safe spaces, stereotypes, and building queer identities. The podcast sheds light on the often-hidden lives of Black LGBTQ students and how educational institutions can better serve them. It also highlights the influence of family support or discouragement, the relationship between black religiosity and queerness, and the significance of the black queer radical tradition in academia.

Thomas Baudinette, Author of Boys Love Media in Thailand: Celebrity, Fans, and Transnational Asian Queer Popular Culture explores mainstreaming of queer romance in Thailand, the Philippines, and Japan. Topics include Japanese origins of Boys Love, Thai Boys Love series, and its impact on Thai consumer culture. The podcast also discusses understanding fandom, Thai BL fandom culture, and challenges to heteronormativity within Thai society.

Dr. Patricio Simonetto, author of A Body of One's Own: A Trans History of Argentina, explores the struggles and experiences of trans individuals in Argentina. The podcast covers topics such as the banning of gender affirmation practices, grassroots archival projects, the concept of citizenship, and challenges faced by the trans community. It also previews the author's future projects on the history of sex work and anti-fitness.

Jennifer V. Evans, author of The Queer Art of History: Queer Kinship After Fascism, discusses the importance of queer kinship in bringing people together, explores the impact of self-reflection and other scholars' work on history, analyzes historical photographs of Wilhelm von Bloden, and explores the global history of photography and its connection to the sexual revolution.