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| Edited By: Harish Iyer |Source: DNA |Updated: Jan 01, 2017, 07:49 AM IST
We, the queer Hindustanis, are changing the world. While I still try to do some dating-vating between my endless conversations with stray-dogs, calls from survivors of abuse… at the other end of Bombay, Anand Pandharkar is saving the environment through his initiative, Sprouts. My girlfriend Robin Chaurasiya, founder of Kranti, is busy educating her flatmates who happen to be daughters of sex workers and helping them realise their dreams. GaysiFamily.com, a group headed by lesbians has held fund raisers for Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse, against drug abuse and in support of acid attack survivors. Bong-babe Koninika Roy, along with the youth group Yaariyan, is visiting old age homes. Here is a sneak-peek of some other initiatives.
2016 saw the first accessible inclusive pride parade for disabled persons in India in Bengaluru. On 28 January, we are all set to emulate the good example at the Mumbai Queer Pride Parade. We are looking for sign language instructors; to help, please email us on qam.editorial@gmail.com
A group of moms met up at Bandra to discuss starting a support group for parents of LGBTIQA and relatives, helping them cope with the disclosure of their child’s gender and/or sexuality. To children, this support group will provide virtual and real emotional support if they have been thrown out of their houses, beaten up or emotionally blackmailed by their ‘blood’ family. To seek help, write to familybeyondfamily@gmail.com
Sushma Swaraj a nnounced the ban on surrogacy for homosexuals. Adoption processes do not favour gay couples, even though research proves that LGBTIQ parents are capable of being wonderful parents.
Sexuality other than heterosexuality is found in 450 species of animals including dogs. So a group of out and proud LGBTIQ people will pose with equally queer kutta-billis in quirky, intelligent videos making adoption appeals for homeless dogs and cats. The initiative will help LGBTIQ people be parents. For inquiries, write to fagsforwags@gmail.com
I am in awe of Wilson college — they were bold enough to invite me as an openly gay chief guest to their event almost half a decade ago. A student called Lakshmi Krishnan from Kelkar (Vaze) college has invited me to speak at her college festival, Dimensions, about sexuality and gender. At the event, a professor Nilakshi Roy, came out as the mother of a bisexual girl with utmost pride. It was one of those WOW moments in life. This year, TN Medical College (Nair Hospital’s) college festival, Aarambh, is focussing on building awareness on LGBTIQA challenges. I asked their student convenor Preet Sharma, “Are you from the LGBTIQA community?”. He bitch-slapped me and said, “I am straight. I don’t need to be gay to stand for LGBTIQA rights. ” Sorry Preet, maaf kar de yaar. Get in touch with Preet for more details at aarambh2017@gmail.com
So, mark your calendars: 28 January ko Pride mein aaneka, dance karke jaaneka. You’re straight? No problem. Amhi loka kadachit tumhaala discriminate karnaar naahi ho! (We will never discriminate against you!)
