Towards Greater Civility: Public Morality and Transversal Queer/Feminist Politics in India

Abstract

This paper explores how queer/feminist practices and articulations—by offering critical perspectives on the intersections of caste, labour and sexuality—have tried to draw attention to the marginalisation of people expressing non-normative genders and sexualities. Adapting lessons from the women’s movement, which resonates with some of the principles of an Ambedkarite vision of democracy, queer and feminist activists adopt and practise a transversal politics in continuing their struggle for solidarity and justice. Specifically, the paper addresses how queer/feminists use the transversal dialogic political space to highlight contentions around sexual labour, from the 2005 ban on bar dancers to the 2017 Chalo Nagpur campaign. The practice of this politics draws upon the experience of queer and feminist collectives in western India, and finds resonance with Ambedkar’s radical conception of democracy via a steadfast commitment to learn and engage in politics under changed circumstances.