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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Because I have a Voice “Queer Politics in India” voices opinions of those who dare to desire different sexuality. With much emphasis on the word ‘different’ simply because expression of such desires do not fit within the accepted norms laid down by the society we live in. In fact it is a crime. Yes, being a Queer in India is a criminal offence (IPC 377).

It makes one realize how limited and narrow our definitions/views on sexuality are. While attempting to help us understand the complexities of the “Queer” world; which embraces identities and desires of sexuality that go beyond the categories of “homosexual” and “heterosexual”. It talks about the past, present and puts forth the most likely future of the “Queer”movement in India.

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Friend and openly gay writer, Parmesh Shahani in his book Gay Bombay says that being gay isn’t just a sexual preference, it’s a lifestyle.

My sexuality was something that I had compartmentalized as something that was surreptitious and all about the sexual act, not about an identity.

Yes, perhaps. I guess I can’t claim to understand fully since my choices go by what society sees as the norm and anything else is forced to be defined starkly, clearly as separate.

I was recently at a party and ended up sitting next two friends who both happened to be gay, one guy and one girl. I’ve known each of them independently for years now. Till a few months ago, I didn’t even know that they knew each other and from what I can tell, they’ve only recently become friends. That they get along so well suits me just fine since they’re both such lovely people and besides I understand for each of them, considering the staggering enormity of the cause they each champion, it is good to meet a kindred soul. Add to that the fact that they’re both such rollicking fun that getting together with both of them is usually a blast.

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[Guest Author : Saakshi O. Juneja]

A full review of Ruth Vanita’s Gandhi’s Tiger and Sita’s Smile: Essays on Gender, Sexuality and Culture is in the works. For now a tantalizing glimpse of a very intriguing and thought provoking context from the book, Chapter 7, titled “God as Sakhi”.

Ms. Vanita explores the subject of female-female bonding. No! It’s not about lesbianism – it’s about close-friendship between women.

She writes,

Most types of divine-human friendship in religious traditions are male-male. Goddesses are usually addressed as mothers, and female mystics generally address a male God as bridegroom rather than friend. This may be because male-male friendship (friendship between Arjun and Lord Krishna) and male-female romantic love (Heer Ranjha) have higher normative status in most societies than does female-female friendship.

She adds further that the term “sakhi” or women’s intimate women friend, in spite of having long history in Indian literature (she is found in Sanskrit epic, drama, love lyric, etc.) has barely been considered of great importance or of relevance with respect to human relationships.

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You can tell that Annie On My Mind is a wonderful book because even though it was written over 25 years ago, it still remains one of the most popular and loved stories about a lesbian relationship.

The book tells the story of teenagers Liza and Annie who go from becoming very close friends to falling madly in love with each other all in a very short space of time. How they deal with their love in a world that is still homophobic, 25 years from the time when this book was written, is what forms the crux of the story.

Liza is the narrator and has a voice and a character that is so well defined that you can easily identify with her. My favourite part about this book is that it makes one realise that being gay is not always about the sex. Just like with heterosexual couples, it’s about falling in love and dealing with the overwhelming feelings that come with love.

Interesting fact: Annie on My Mind was banned in several libraries and even burned! Read this book. I guarantee satisfaction.