Curating Queer Archives in India and South Asia

a public dialogue series

One of the critical questions raised in our first public dialogue centered on the value and purpose of building a Queer Indian Archives (QIA) and similar initiatives. Participants expressed keen interest in the potential impact of such an archive on Indian and South Asian society. Would it contribute to shifting societal attitudes and fostering a new understanding of gender and sexuality? Could it offer support to individuals grappling with their identity or those in denial of their gender and sexual fluidity? Or is its primary function limited to research and academic exploration?

Over the past two months, our first group of interns at Queer India Archives has delved into these crucial questions. They will share their insights and experiences in our following public dialogue. Your participation is crucial as Jigeesha Bhargavi, Maleah Mehta, Nishtha Goel, and Sanika Singh discuss the relevance and reach of QIA through their work.

This year’s summer internship program has been possible because of our collaborators, Centre for Studies in Gender & Sexuality, Ashoka University, NAZ India Foundation, and Curating for Culture. 

To know more about the Summer Interns 2024 at QIA, listen to their work experiences in short reel formats on social media @queerindia.archives. 

Jigeesha Bhargavi will present her research on "Placing the Community: Public Places, Archives and Citizenship"

Maleah Mehta has been exploring "Digital Safe Spaces: Understanding Instagram's Role in the LGBTQIA+ Community in India" through her work at QIA.

Nishtha Goel is working on “Exploration of the Living Archives”

Sanika Singh 's research is titled "Health, History, and Human Rights: Tracing the Trajectory of the MSM Program at Naz Foundation (India) Trust”