Includes bibliographical references.

The author explains that queerness isn't only modern, Western, or sexual. Rather, by looking at the traditions of Hinduism, he finds many overlooked tales with queerness at their center, some over two thousand years old. There's Shikhandi, who became a man to satisfy her wife; Mahadeva, who became a woman to deliver her devotee's child; Chudala, who became a man to enlighten her husband Samavan, who became the wife of his male friend--and more.