Bodies, Sexualities, and the Law

Presented by the NYU Center for the Study of Gender & Sexuality and Ashoka University Centre for Studies of Gender & Sexuality. Co-sponsored by the Asian/Pacific/American Institute at NYU.

Any expression of desire and sexuality, in theory and lived experiences, across time and culture, is haunted by the spectre of the law. The laws, supported by the socio-political enforcement of stringent norms, constantly produce bodies and sexualities that become “deviant” and “undesirable.” The most recent manifestations of such laws include one against cross-religious desire in India (commonly referred to as “love jihad”), and the ongoing struggle against abortion bans, and for transgender rights, in the US. At the same time, there has also been an expansion of legal recognition to previously marginalized groups, such as the decriminalization of homosexuality in 2018 and the 2014 judgement regarding transgender persons in India, and the recent recognition of same-sex marriage in the US. How do we make sense of these struggles with the law?

Panelists Dean Spade (Seattle University), Flavia Agnes (MAJLIS), and Rahul Rao (SOAS University of London) will unpack the relationship between law and sexuality in the context of contemporary politics and culture. Moderated by Madhavi Menon (Ashoka University).

This webinar is part of the series Theory and Practice: Transnational Conversations on Gender and Sexuality (TAP).

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Accessibility note: This event will be hosted virtually on Zoom. A Zoom account, internet access, and a smartphone or computer is required. Please contact csgs@nyu.edu or (212) 992-9540 with any questions or access needs.