Leela Fernandes, professor of women’s studies and political science at the University of michigan, was quoted in the Business Standard (India) on the Indian Supreme Court ruling legalizing gay sex. “This … is an important legal milestone on sexuality and equality. The next challenges will be ensuring that formal legal rights are translated into substantive equality in everyday life in contemporary India...”

Leela Fernandes studies the relationship between politics and culture through both qualitative empirical research and theoretical scholarship. Her research examines the ways in which cultural meanings, practices and identities shape political behavior and deepen our explanations of political conflicts and processes.