Unfolding Queer India

The existence of Indian queer component of the desi societal machinery is as old as the country’s culture itself. It is not off the record that even today the majority from the Spectrum choose to stay closeted in their own right and safety. I, being a queer of Indian parentage, have experienced and seen my fellow denizens struggling to come to terms with their own selves.

The purpose of this piece of writing is aimed at the audience to compel them to speculate and learn about an equally important marginalized section of their society whose existence was not even recognized by the Indian law itself until recently. Historical backup provides a backbone to their argument, giving their voices a relevance in the world which has been long deaf to their sense of self. In a heteronormative word, the queer Indians remain structurally oppressed and unrecognized in almost all major fields of work. Society, households, and even at times, discriminated in other seemingly accepting countries as they privy to multiple discriminations of race, sex, partner preferences and gender identity.

I

In ancient India, homosexuality or non-normative sexual identity was acknowledged as “Tritiya prakriti” or the third nature during the Vedic age. the acceptance of the concept of gender fluidity was accelerated on account of the famous Indian myths of Lord Vishnu taking the avatar of Mohini showcasing both masculinity and femininity resides in one’s body. Another example is the “Ardhanarishwara” form of Lord Shiva, an androgynous blend of Shiv and Shakti. There are other similar numerous accounts that defy all conforms of assigned gender normativity in the Indian culture’s record strata. Queerness of Bharat is as plain as it is on the temple walls of the Ancient. Koovagam festival celebrated in South India, is one of the largest annual gatherings of trans people in India celebrating love and diversity.

II

Looking at recent trends on the indigenous chapter of all that is Rainbow, Ashok Row Kavi is of prominence as he was the first Indian queer to come out to the world and even proceeded in founding the first queer magazine BombayDost in 1990. There are a few reads you might interest yourself into as you wade through the expanse of that neglected Indian community that has been brushed under the carpet for centuries.

Works like, ‘Lotus of another colour' by Rakesh Ratti and Kaushalya Bannerji interviews South Asian Queers and records their experiences .‘Sakhiyani' by Geeta Thadani explores women relationships in Indian context. ‘Facing the Mirror: lesbian writing from India' is a collection of Indian lesbian experiences. 'The truth about me: A hijra life story' giving voice to the hijra community is an autobiographical account of A. Revathi.

III

Lucknow’s first Trans hospital was opened on 4th October,2021 in Hazaratganj making a history of being the first transgender clinic of India. There are several active organisations in India that provide various kinds of assistance to Indian queers like Sappho for Equality, Humsafar Trust, Sangini based in New Delhi, Humraaz (specific to the services for Queer men). Our very own Awadh queer pride that stands as a representative of the queer people living in the vicinity of Lucknow began in 2017 and held its 6th pride parade at Rana Pratap Marg in the month of February . The circle keeps expanding as more and more people are coming out recently and speaking about their dysphoria encouraged by the support and love that pours from the community itself for their own as well as the allies.

The Indian Queer lens is slowly emerging as a strong participant in the normative party of life pushing the boundaries of the yore into a neo-culture of acceptance and sensitivity.

Related posts:

If you are new to React Native or just started using React Native then this article will be useful for you. You can see we are just using the control. But one thing you notice the control is kind of…