The Queer History Reading Group, in collaboration with 'Queer' Asia and the Centre for the Study of Women and Gender (CSWG), University of Warwick, invites you to its last event this term: 'Transnational Connections: Feminist and Queer Politics from Warwick University to BomGay' with Prof. R. Raj Rao.

Join us for a screening of BomGay (Dir. Riyad Vinci Wadia), a 1996 Indian anthology of short films directed by Riyad Vinci Wadia and Jangu Sethna (India). The film stars Kushal Punjabi and Rahul Bose with music by Ashutosh Phatak. It is often regarded as India’s first gay film and is known for its controversial gay sex scene in a library.

Prof. R. Raj Rao is India’s first gay novelist and academic, who recently published his collection of essays on queer politics in India titled Criminal Love: Queer Theory, Culture, and Politics in India. He studied for a post doc degree at the pioneering Centre for Carribean Studies, University of Warwick in 1986 and in an interview explained how his decision to begin organising queer political courses, activism, and work in Mumbai in the 1990s was influenced by his experience of the queer and feminist movements in the University of Warwick in the 1980s. Rao’s collections of essays on queer politics in India and his discussion of the queer and feminist movement in Warwick in the 80s sheds light on the power and impact of transnational collective organising and the role of Warwick in inspiring his literary work and his activism.

Refreshments will be provided. This event is free and open to all. For queries: queerhistory@warwick.ac.uk