Gaysi: The Gay Desi - Yes, we're legal!

Look people who’s back in action – the initiator of Gaysi voice, India’s first LGBT magazine – Bombay Dost.

Bombay Dost, India’s first registered gay magazine, was launched in 1990. In its earlier avatar, it connected gay people across the country, taking away the sense of isolation and disempowerment they felt, giving them hope of being able to live a full life, without stigma and discrimination.

Beset by issues such as lack of advertising support and paucity of funds, Bombay Dost suspended publication in 2002.

Today, it is back in a new, bolder-than-ever avatar. The bolder-than-ever tag has to do with the forthrightness with which gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) cultural expression is showcased. [.....]

What’s different this time round?

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These (the list) could be referred to as Dykons and mind you, that does not mean they are gay or that I am insinuating their sexuality–they are simply Bollywood stars who make excellent lesbian icons due to their strength, personality and various character portrayals. [Link]

Prerna at No Borders and Binaries has put up her list of Bollywood Lezzie icons. Somewhat similar to what I had posted couple of months ago…and I completely agree with her Lisa Ray selection. The woman is HOT to the core and add to that the “boldness” factor, I mean how many women in Bolly-land would dare to defy the set (pseudo) norms.  

Nandita Das, spot on. Me thinks she is kinda-like Medha Patkar of the Hindi Film Industry. Sounds funny, I know but that’s the impression she exuberates.

Isha Koppikar and Priyanka Chopra….hmmm….okayish.

But Bipasha Basu. Now I know the woman has a long queue of Queer followers and she oozes with sexiness but…but there is just something very cold about her. Like someone who will slit your throat and not even flinch. Acting wise too, never found her to be impressive except for maybe in Omkara. 

And my only other complain – why no Katrina Kaif? I mean…come on.

Karan Goel (27), who suffers from retinitis pigmentosa (90 per cent blindness), has made a film, The Other Side, on the gay community that urges society not to treat them as outcasts.

It’s his disability that helped him relate to homosexuals. “I have been visually impaired since childhood and though my family supported me, society did not accept me. Homosexuals face similar discrimination.”

After Goel returned to India in 2007, he decided to make a film that addresses this sensitive subject. Now that the film is ready, he has planned a special screening for the members of The Humsafar Trust, India’s first gay community organisation tomorrow in the city.

“The movie is based on the hardships faced by the homosexual communities. We need to have feedback from them, and hence have planned for the special screening,” said Goel, who is the writer, the producer and associate director of the film. [Link]

Frankly speaking, I believe a film like Dostana is a complete misfit in our current scenario. I mean those Kanta Bhen jokes and their extended versions were good during the late 1990s and early 2000, when saying “we exist” was a big enough deal. But it’s not that same anymore, now the main funda as I see it is about ‘informing & engaging’.

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