This June, we’re celebrating Pride Beyond Borders! And to kick off our series, we’re exploring global drag culture with Professor Kareem Khubchandani aka Dr. LaWhore Vagistan. We’re learning how drag artists around the world stage political dialogues with their audiences, how queer nightlife can connect diasporic communities, and how this art form can be used to challenge—rather than reinforce—the legacies of colonialism and white supremacy. The world of drag is so much bigger than the world of Drag Race, and we’re here for all of it.
Kareem Khubchandani is Associate Professor of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies at Tufts University. He is the author of Ishtyle: Accenting Gay Indian Nightlife and Decolonize Drag, co-editor of Queer Nightlife, and curator of criticalauntystudies.com. Kareem also performs as LaWhore Vagistan, everyone’s favorite overdressed, overeducated, oversaturated desi drag aunty.
You can follow Professor Khubchandani on Instagram and Twitter @kareempuff, and at KareemKhubchandani.com. They’re also on Instagram and Twitter @lawhorevagistan.
Get to know Dr. LaWhore Vagistan through their lecture “How to be an auntie” and their hit song “Sari”.
Curious for more? Here are some people Professor Khubchandani recommends following:
Shaka McGlotten
M. Leslie Santana
Emi Great
Chanel Mercedes Benz
Odidiva
Papi Churro
Alisha Boti Kabab
Willow Pill
Crystal Methyd
BeBe Zahara Benet
Here are some events to check out:
Jai Ho
Rangeela
Behsaram
Kulture Kulcha
Sholay
Yuva
And check out these episodes from the Getting Curious archive:
Do Beauty Standards Need A Glow Up?
How Have You Changed Reality TV As We Know I
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