October 17, 2024
Dr. Preity Kumar, a queer scholar, activist, and educator from Guyana, has launched her new book, An Ordinary Landscape of Violence: Women Loving Women in Guyana, which examines the multifaceted violence faced by queer women in the country.
The book was unveiled on ‘Spirit Day’ at an event hosted by Sexualities, Women, and Genders, Red Thread, SASOD Guyana, and the Institute for Gender Studies at the University of Guyana at Moray House.
Through interviews with 33 women from both Berbice and Georgetown, Dr. Kumar sheds light on the psychological, physical, emotional, and sexual violence endured by women loving women in urban and rural communities.
She explores the complexities of their relationships, bringing attention to the pervasive nature of ‘affective violence’—a form of harm that is felt but often remains unnamed and invisible.
In her presentation, Dr. Kumar shared her reflections on how violence extends beyond the physical to encompass experiences that cannot always be seen but are deeply felt.
She challenges the conventional understanding of violence and explores how love, in defiance of societal constraints, can be both ordinary and political.
Through everyday acts such as affection, connection, and community-building, these women assert their humanity despite the violence they face.
The book, published by Rutgers University Press in July 2024, is available for purchase on Amazon for $30 USD.
The launch event also emphasized the resilience and agency of the women whose stories are featured in the book, highlighting the critical need for broader societal changes.