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

The atmosphere in the march was electric, and resembled nothing short of a carnival. In the midst of startling colours, drummers drummed out the sort of rhythm that one couldn’t help but jerk one’s head to. Hijras danced bhangra and further, up ahead in the contingent, a student battalion from TISS belted out Bollywood numbers like Aaj kal tere mere pyaar ke charche har zubaan par and Tadap tadap ke iss dil, amidst much fanfare. Difference sparkled and shimmered like a defined entity, and in the space of the two-and-a-half hours that the march lasted, over SV Road down to Girgaum Chowpatty, contingents of the various groups representing Mumbai’s sexual minorities matching step and rhythm, celebrated it with zest. [.....]

Better than the real thing. So she makes it sound. A well written piece and therefore a must read for all.

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.

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