Harvard University Welcomes Notable Drag Performer as Faculty

Harvard University is set to bring in a drag performer known as “Lawhore Vagistan”—Kareem Khubchandani—who will join the faculty in July. He’ll be offering courses in “Queer Ethnography” and “Lepolitics: drag, race, desire.” Khubchandani is quite experienced in drag performance and aims to blend club culture with academic discussions, focusing on significant topics related to race, gender, and postcolonial theories.

Khubchandani, who identifies as an educator, performer, and academic, emphasizes exploring the everyday aesthetics tied to feminism and queer culture, specifically within South Asia and its diaspora. He discusses the importance of showcasing how marginalized communities navigate oppressive structures through artistic expression, like dance and fashion. He currently holds a position as an associate professor at Tufts University, specializing in theater, dance, and performance studies.

The “Queer Ethnography” class will delve into various subcultures, covering areas such as gay neighborhoods, transraves, sex work, and activism around AIDS. Another course, “Rupaulitics,” will involve examining drug archives along with critical readings about race and gender. Students in this class are expected to attend a drag show and participate in performance-oriented exercises, which seems like it would be quite engaging!

Khubchandani has also authored two books, titled “Decorate the Drag” and “Ishtyle: Gay Indian Nightlife Accent.” He has vast expertise in teaching subjects related to theater, racial and colonial studies, diaspora, and queer studies. His connection to his family background, tracing back to Pakistan, is reflected in his chosen drag name. He once humorously noted how he perceives the subcontinent as a vibrant, interconnected landscape, likening it to a creative nerve.