Tamar Westphal (she, her) is a PhD student and Graduate Teaching Associate in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies at The Ohio State University, focusing on femme theory.  Drawing on critical archival studies and performance studies, she theorizes femme embodiment and erotics, as well as the cross-generational resonance of femme archival texts.  Employing a capacious definition of femme—informed by evolving conceptualizations dating back to early 20th century communities of women loving women—Tamar conceives of femme as a dynamic category that encompasses cis, nonbinary, and trans bodies and LGBQ+ sexualities, unified by a distinctly queer femininity.  By engaging with archival femme writings about embodiment and eroticism, she uses the archive as an entry point to investigate femme identities and explore why femme continues to resonate for queer people today.  She is particularly interested in femme identity formation, sexual practices and experiences of sexuality, and erotic sensibilities. 

Prior to OSU, Tamar spent over a decade in non-profit communications, working on domestic/sexual violence policymaking and promoting gender equity, LGBTQ+ rights, and public health.  She received a BA from Mount Holyoke, where she developed curricula on trans-inclusive college housing.  She remains deeply involved as a board and committee member of the Alum Association of Mount Holyoke College and the Women’s College Alliance.  Tamar has published peer-reviewed work in Sexualities, with public scholarship in Slate, Ms., and oral history archives.  

Advisor: Dr. Jessica Delgado

Publications:

• Westphal, T (2024). "Sexy but frightening": Femme worldbuilding and feminist revenge. Sexualities, 27(8), 1339-1355. doi.org/10.1177/13634607241256518