Publications
Op-Eds
Patel, S. (2023). Stop Telling Queer South Asian Women to Come Out of the Closet. The Ubyssey.
Patel, S. (2022). The invisibility of queer South Asian-Canadians. Rabble.
Academic Research
Patel, S. (2024). Theorizing A Denial Reaction to Coming Out: Revising Goffman's Stigma through a Sexual Identity Process Model. Sociology Compass, 18(7).
Patel, S. (2021). The Politics of Not Giving A Sh*t: Understanding the Invisibilization of Queer South Asian Women in Pride Toronto. Master's Thesis, University of Ottawa.
Patel, S. (2019). "Brown Girls Can't Be Gay": Racism Experienced by Queer South Asian Women in the Toronto LGBTQ Community. Journal of Lesbian Studies, 23(3), 410-423.
Research Reports
Patel, S., & Travers. (2021). (rep.). 2SLGBTQ+ Inclusion in School-Based Physical Activity Programs. Ottawa, Ontario: Physical Health Education Canada.
Non-Fiction Books
Patel, S. (2022). Don't Tell My Parents: Queer Diasporic Truths. Friesen Press.
Patel, S. (2022). Not All Lesbians Are White: The Suffering and Survival of a Queer South Asian Woman. In S. Mann (Ed.), I Feel the Love: An Anthology of Queer Joy. essay.
Research Focus
Queer South Asian Women in Canada
Sonali (Alyy) Patel pioneered Canadian research on queer South Asian women's issues in the diaspora. Alyy is best known for her revolutionary research findings that revealed the culturally-specific forms of racism experienced by Queer South Asian Women. This publication ranked as the 7th most cited article of 2019 in the Journal of Lesbian Studies. Alyy's research successfully increased visibility for this severely underrepresented population.
Knowledge dissemination is the most critical aspect of my research. Check out my talks, podcasts, feature articles, accessible education on social media, and community organizing work to learn more.
Research Interests
Sonali (Alyy) Patel is currently a Ph.D. student in Sociology at the University of British Columbia. Her research works to conceptualize the culturally-specific forms of racism against Queer South Asian Women in North America. Alyy's broader research interests include:
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Sexuality & Gender
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LGBTQ+ Social Movements
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Political Sociology (Power)
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South Asian Immigration & Diaspora
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Race & Inter-Ethnic Relations
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Intersectionality
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Critical Ethnography
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Qualitative Methods
