Bringing the intersection of queer theory, global history, and performance art to life, assistant professor Michael T. Williams and adjunct faculty Shiva Subbaraman invited Dr. Kareem Khubchandani, in their drag persona LaWhore Vagistan, to deliver an unforgettable evening for students in Georgetown’s TPST 2420: Performing LGBTQ+ Histories.
Sponsored by a CNDLS curriculum enrichment grant and co-sponsored by the LGBTQ Resource Center, Georgetown Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching & Service, David Performing Arts Center, Georgetown Department of Performing Arts, Georgetown Learning, Equity, & Pedagogy (LEAP) Initiative, Georgetown Culture & Politics (CULP), and Georgetown Women’s & Gender Studies Program, this immersive performance combined scholarship and drag to explore LGBTQ+ histories through an inclusive and visually engaging platform, challenging students to rethink traditional forms of knowledge.
The event transformed the Devine Studio Theater into a space where education and entertainment converged. LaWhore Vagistan captivated students by blending academic discussion with vibrant performance, making complex subjects like globalization and cultural identity both accessible and memorable. One highlight was a lip-sync rendition of Lady Gaga’s “Telephone,” layered with recordings from South Asian call centers—a piece that brought to light the nuanced experiences of South Asian workers navigating cultural assimilation.
As students reflected, they shared how LaWhore’s use of storytelling and humor helped better understand the intersectional impacts of globalization and the personal narratives of queer South Asians. Following each thematic discussion was a seamless transition into performance, creating an environment that students likened to a classroom and a drag show simultaneously. This unique setting allowed them to engage with topics of diversity, equity, and inclusion in ways that transcended the traditional classroom experience.
“LaWhore Vagistan’s show was impactful for me in many ways. It contained so much joy, yet at the same time so much commentary on society and the ways in which our world fails to accommodate and understand everyone’s stories. That is the most powerful message that I took away from the show—that there is no one way to tell your story, and that there is tremendous power in the fact that that story is yours and yours alone.”
For many students, the event was not only an introduction to the world of drag but also a profound learning experience that challenged societal norms around gender, performance, and academic engagement. Reflecting on the night, one student expressed how LaWhore’s interactive style “redefined teaching” by allowing difficult topics to be addressed within a welcoming, joyous setting. From discussing the hyper-competitive spelling bee culture to celebrating the resilience of South Asian “aunties” in shaping community, LaWhore Vagistan’s performance highlighted the diverse stories often excluded from mainstream narratives.
Following this inspiring evening, students returned to their projects with fresh perspectives, ready to bring their own performances to life with insights from LaWhore’s blending of theory, art, and lived experience.
Launched under the Georgetown Learning Initiative (GLI), curriculum enrichment/experiential learning grants (CEGs) support course-related activities that enhance student learning.
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