Harvard University has appointed the drag performer and academic Kareem Khubchandani, known by the stage name LaWhore Vagistan, as a visiting professor in its Studies of Gender and Sexuality programme.

 

 

 

Khubchandani, who holds a faculty position at Tufts University in Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies, will teach two new courses: RuPaulitics: Drag, Race, and Desire in the spring, and Queer Ethnography in the fall. In these classes, LaWhore Vagistan will often perform and lecture in drag, integrating performance art with academic scholarship. 

 

 

 

The appointment has sparked heated debate online. Critics, particularly from conservative circles, question whether such courses and this style of presentation align with traditional academic priorities.

 

 

Supporters argue that this hire underlines academic freedom and a progressive shift toward embracing queer culture, race, and identity in university curricula. Khubchandani’s published works—including Ishtyle: Accenting Gay Indian Nightlife and Lessons in Drag: A Queer Manual for Academics, Artists and Aunties—reflect a long-standing engagement with performance, identity, and cultural critique. 

 

Harvard’s decision comes amid growing cultural discussions about representation, gender, and the boundaries of what constitutes “scholarly” content in higher education. Whether this move is viewed as groundbreaking or controversial, it clearly positions LaWhore Vagistan at the centre of debates over the role of drag, identity, and performance in academia.

 

 

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Key Takeaways:

 

New role blending performance and academia: The hire of LaWhore Vagistan signals a merging of drag performance with scholarly teaching, especially in gender, sexuality, and queer culture studies. 

 

Polarised responses: Some are praising Harvard for academic innovation and inclusivity; others are critical, seeing it as undermining traditional academic standards. 

 

Cultural & scholarly relevance: Khubchandani’s body of work shows performance and identity are central to his scholarship; this appointment reflects broader trends in higher education toward embracing marginalized voices and intersectional fields. 

 

 

Adapted From:

 

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/2116338/top-university-hires-drag-queen

 

 

 

That's embarrassing, if you have a Harvard degree.  If I had one, and asked where I attended, I'd say 'local community college' 

 

This is mind boggling, and actually more than half, the salaried income that I earned, in my lifetime.  Salaried jobs paid me <$600k, that's lifetime.

 

That's embarrassing alone, sort of, but I generated quite a bit more, on my own.

 

I did much better than most who graduated from Harvard now, it seems, without any degree, I think.  

 

Not wonder they are crying, as graduating a few $100k in debt, before even having a job.

 

I think Trump is going to fund that grant personally.