Pakistan Desires

This book offers a multidisciplinary perspective on queerness in Pakistan, exploring desire as a means of envisioning queer futures.

In Pakistan Desires, a diverse group of contributors provides a multidisciplinary exploration of queerness in Pakistan. They delve into the various meanings of queer identity, inviting readers to reflect on how desire can function as a catalyst for envisioning a queer future. Through an array of disciplines such as history, anthropology, literature, law, art, film, and performance studies, the contributors illustrate the complexities of queer experiences in a society often dominated by straight narratives.

The essays in Pakistan Desires cover a wide range of topics, including the examination of gender transgressive performances in Pakistani cinema, the role of piety within the transgender rights movement, and the utilization of platforms like Grindr among men. Additionally, the book highlights the work of contemporary Pakistani artist Anwar Saeed, who explores homoerotic themes, as well as the historical account of a sixteenth-century Sufi saint's love for a Brahmin boy. These narratives span from Kashmir to the 1947 Partition, addressing the nuances of South Asian gay subjectivity, including its diaspora.

By embracing alternative forms of desire that often diverge from mainstream Western theories of queerness, Pakistan Desires opens up new avenues for understanding queer lives and loves. This volume not only challenges existing frameworks but also celebrates the diversity of queer existence in Pakistan and beyond, making it a vital contribution to contemporary discussions on sexuality and identity.