ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book suggests that characterizing HIV/AIDS in India as a largely heterosexual disease is disingenuous and has dangerous implications for curbing HIV in the population. It encapsulates the norms of sexual behavior and gender expectations. The book also illustrates the many rich traditions of non-heteronormative desire described in Hindu and Muslim texts in pre-colonial India. It also presents the stories of sexual minorities as they seek to access healthcare. The book focuses on sexual labor by women in the historic and contemporary contexts. It also discusses the historical background regarding non-monogamous heterosexual relations in India. The book also deals with the lives of female sex-workers based on interviews conducted in Tamil Nadu. It discusses the social stigma the women face, which affected their relations with their children, as well as their ability to access health care—including prevention and treatment of STDs, including HIV/AIDS.
