“There is No One Ideology; There are Many”: In Conversation with Ruth Vanita

Through this interview, the author explores the nuanced perspective of distinguished expert Professor Ruth Vanita on gender and sexuality, same-sex marriage, motherhood, and love in India. She shares her research, work, and experiences of motherhood, offering a unique perspective on how mothering works for women of all sexual orientations and providing an opportunity to consider various viewpoints in the current discussion surrounding lesbian motherhood. The conversation highlights the contrasting perspectives on lesbianism, same-sex relationships, and motherhood, while critically examining the regulatory influence of heterosexual norms on family and mothers, drawing on analogies from ancient Indian stories and testimonies.