Out of Place, Still at Home: Queer Memoirs and the Crisis of National Belonging in India

This paper explores the crisis of national belonging experienced by queer individuals in India through an analysis of contemporary queer memoirs, including Growing Up Gay in India by Vivek Tejuja, Antiman by Rajiv Mohabir, and An Indefinite Sentence by Siddharth Dube. It argues that these memoirs function both as testimonies of marginalization and as acts of resistance that challenge the heteronormative frameworks embedded in Indian nationalism. By foregrounding the intersection of sexuality, identity, and nationhood, the paper examines how these narratives expose the socio-legal and cultural exclusions queer individuals face, even in a post-Section 377 India. Ultimately, the memoirs reclaim cultural and national identity by queering dominant narratives and asserting alternative visions of belonging. These works not only illuminate the personal struggles of queer Indians but also contribute to reshaping the discourse on citizenship, inclusion, and the nation itself.