Jay Sosa

Jay Sosa is an Associate Professor in the Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies program at Bowdoin College, with a secondary affiliation in Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies. He is currently on leave for the 2025–2026 academic year. His work bridges anthropology and queer studies to analyze intersections of gender, sexuality, politics, and culture.

• PhD in Anthropology, University of Chicago
• MA in Anthropology, University of Chicago
• BA in Anthropology, University of Michigan

Research Interests focus on:

• Gender and sexuality politics in the Americas
• State policy and activism dynamics
• Urban studies and queer placemaking
• Cultural analysis of backlash movements

Publications span critical analyses of Brazilian homotransphobia, queer urbanism, and political backlash. His recent work explores poppers (butyl nitrites) as cultural artifacts in queer history.

Scientific Awards include funding from

• National Science Foundation
• Fulbright IIE
• Mellon Foundation
• Wenner Gren Foundation
• Ford Foundation