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

Hello fellow gaysis & supporters,

Hope you had a good weekend. I sure did. The Girl & I are throwing a holiday party (I refuse to call it ‘Christmas’ because of my militant atheism and also to annoy The Girl!) and we’ve been busy going to all the hip Torontonian markets – Queen Street, Kensington Market & China town & buying groceries for the party and little unique gifts for the people we’ve invited. Although, we realised that every time we bought something we liked we said ‘We could give this to S or D. OR… WE COULD JUST KEEP THIS FOR OURSELVES.’ So we are making another trip there in an hour to make sure we do have gifts for people other than ourselves. ‘Tis the season to be self-indulgent, I suppose!

Anyway, so MJ & I have looking at the gaysifamily blog/website & we agree that it needs to be brought into the oneders. Right now the look and feel is VERY late 90s or at best early 2000. And since this is a ‘family’ effort, we’d like you, our family members, to tell us what you’d like to see (other than nude pictures) on this site. Tell us what you don’t want to see, too.

We really need this feedback, so I request all you readers & lurkers to take a minute out of your precious day and get in touch. If what you like is already here then just tell us that too, so we don’t axe it!

Thank you, y’all! Merry holidays!

The Indian Media loves us Queer folks, especially after the IPC 377 enigma. At times they represent us with the deserving sensitivity and care and many a times they do what they do best, shoddy journalism that is.
But let’s not bother with the shoddy crackers. At least not in this post. Cause clearly unke ghar main (gay) bhai behen nahi hain.

A trusted Gaysi supporter & well wisher is planning on doing a story on desi lezzies for a reputed women’s magazine. Topic is quite open; being a lesbian in India, difficulties in coming out, stereotypes, etc.

So if you are interested in spreading the right words at your expense then do get in touch with us via contact form. Needless to say; anonymity guaranteed.

Later then Foxies!

Dear parents of a gay child,

I recently told my parents that I am gay. It was, as you might expect, not fun and games – for them or for me. They said some pretty crazy things – all very politely, and I think it’s because there is not much out there in terms of information and support for desi parents who have an gay child.

So I’m thinking of writing a series of posts on what to do if (hai ram!) your child is gay. And like all good desis I am giving you unwarranted and unwanted gyaan.

Now, remember, I don’t have any professional credentials and my research is restricted to my own experiences and to the experiences of my gaysi friends. So sue me. (Actually please don’t.)

Also this advice might apply to not just parents, but also friends and family and perhaps just to us gaysis.

Watch out for our new FAQueer series.

As part of the pre-march celebrations the awesome folks behind the Queer Azaadi Mumbai March (to be held on 16^th August) have organized a film program, appropriately titled – Queer Nazaria.

The film program takes us to different parts of the world and attempts to look at the queer individual and the LGTBI community in society and society’s gaze back. Glancing at this reflected image, the question that manifests asks – is it enough that a society only protects us with a set of rights or do we also need the freedom to act as who we are within that society. Legal recognition and human rights are very important but social acceptance is equally, if not more, crucial. These films will extend this essential idea of acceptance to include our sexuality, our gender presentation, our choice of sex work as livelihood, and how we love.

Each film will be followed up with an informal discussion between the makers and the audience.

Date – 31th July 2009

Time – 6.30 pm onwards

Place – Alliance Française de Bombay, 40 Theosophy Hall, Marine Lines, Mumbai 40002.

Continue reading

[Guest Author : Saakshi O. Juneja]

Those perceived by the majority as “deviants’ or ‘different’ are not excluded or ostracised from inclusiveness of the Constitution: Delhi HC [Tweet Notes from Gay_India]

Freaking unbelievable. Absolutely speechless. Who would have thought we had logical thinking, mature individuals in charge of our judiciary system. So finally after 7 years of court battle, Delhi High Court legalised gay sex among consenting adult.

“We declare that Section 377 of IPC in so far as it criminalises consensual sexual acts of adults in private is violative of Articles 14, 21 and 15 of the Constitution,” a bench comprising Chief Justice A P Shah and Justice S Murlidhar said. [Link : Rediff.com]

However IPC 377 will still hold for cases involving children and non-consensual sex. All good me thinks though it would naive of us to think that our esteemed self-appointed moral brigade will not try to make most of this opportunity. Thankfully though this time round, the law is on the right side. So these douchebags can very well shove their fingers up their stinky arse.

*For detailed information on the HC ruling, visit Desicritics.

Delhi Queer Pride ‘09

Queer Pride is a celebration. It is about loving who we are, whether lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, hijra or straight, and affirming everyone’s right to be respected.

The Queer Pride is organized by the LGBT community for the LGBT community and allies, and not by any organizations, and we hope that it can continue to be entirely funded by individual donations from queer and queer friendly people from India and elsewhere. To find out how you can donate and contribute to Queer Pride ‘09, please email : finance.delhipride@gmail.com.

Day: Sunday, 28^th June 2009

Time: 5:30pm

Place: Corner of Barakhamba Road and Tolstoy Marg.

Kindly gather up at corner of Barakhamba Road and Tolstoy Marg at 5:00 pm. The Parade commences at 5:30, down Tolstoy Marg to Jantar Mantar, where all the action begins.

[For detailed information, jump here]

Chennai Queer Pride ‘09

Chennai Pride events are supported by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender individuals, straight allies including families and friends; and a host of community groups and non-governmental organizations including Sahodaran, Sangama, Lotus Sangam, Center for Counselling, Shakti Center, Sahodari Foundation, SIAAP, SAATHII, Nalamdana, SWAM, South India Positive Network, Alliance Francaise of Madras, and Human Rights Watch.

Day: Sunday, 28^th June 2009

Time: 4:00 pm

Place: Marina Beach from the Triumph of Labour statue to the Mahatma Gandhi statue.

[For detailed information, jump here]