In June, 1990, a leaflet titled “Queers read this” was distributed by Queers at a pride march in New York. It begins like this; “How can I tell you. How can I convince you, brother, sister that your life is in danger: That every day you wake up alive, relatively happy, and a functioning human…
FALLEN
Is my voice loud enough, Lune? Or, to squall as long as I can Agonizing thoughts, filled my bosom Searching for my soul in a callous milieu Chanting thy name over and over Scratching with the nail, all over the wall Serviens hath a question; are you sane? Anguished reply through tears, ‘not at all’…
The Dad who gave birth: A father or a mother?
The article deals with the recent judgment of the England and Wales High Court about the definition of the ‘mother’, those who come under the said definition and the repercussions of the same on the transgender community. For the first time, in any case, a legal definition of ‘mother’ has been given under the common…
Under the veil
Gender is about who you feel yourself to be but it is usually confused with one’s sex. Here’s a story that pertains to the same issue and raises the question about belonging of those who might have different inclination than the society confers upon them. As I hunt through an array of bangles, my skinny…
The importance of language in advancing the liberal agenda with a focus on LGBTQ+ rights
Since Donald Trump’s victory in the 2016 US Presidential Election, the world has experienced a polarization trend in politics. Following this, the formation of right-wing governments in The Philippines, Poland, Brazil, India, and most recently the United Kingdom has only served to widen the gap between the global right and left. This gap, which has…
The other side of the Coin: Manifestations of Sexism in Male Gender Stereotypes
Gender stereotyping, as I infer from my personal experiences, has certainly stained the society so deeply, that the offshoots of the same manifest itself even in the most progressive circles. I have been brought up among a conservative Christian community which looks down upon gender equality and homosexuality a lot. As I joined college, it…
Book Review of ‘Sex and the Constitution: Sex, Religion, and Law from America’s Origins to the Twenty-First Century’
In the field of law, Constitutional Law holds an integral position, it is the area which governs every aspect of an individual’s existence in a nation; it is a foundation in the construction of any nation’s development, the safeguard of rights and more importantly, the evaluator of the justice system of a nation. In the…
WORKPLACE FOR AN INDIVIDUAL OF LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY
In this article, the author has opted to address the most common concern for the LGBTQIA+ community i.e., are we safe from the stigma of society in our workplaces? Or better yet, are we going to be hired by so-called Multi-National Companies? After addressing these concerns in detail, the author suggests certain changes that are…
Passion Fruit
On this lonely road, Armed with dark humour, Armoured in sarcasm; My metaphors left me scrambling, To describe this feeling, uncontainable in simile; My internal chaos came to a standstill with your feathered touch, My skin crackled in tandem to your electric fingers; I found you alone and you found me spiralling, Each stolen moment,…
The painting captures the essence of what it’s like to be a bisexual person in India. The tricoloured flag represents members of the community. These are our colours, pink, purple and blue. The black colour depicts the darkness and isolation in the country for the people who are a part of the community. In a…
Foreword: Volume I: Issue 3
The year 2019 began with a series of moments – some to rejoice at, and some to resent. While some countries are taking a leap forward in granting the LGBT+ community their rights, some are taking a step backwards, hence, the world is witnessing a momentous change with regards to the LGBT+ community, each…
Invocation of the Sacred Goddess
An invocation ballad dedicated to the late Marsha P. Johnson, the progenitor of the Stonewall Riots. She was a symbol of fierce courage, unwavering hope, and firm faith. This ballad serves as an expression of adoration of her kind spirit. Oh Great Goddess, before this sacred flame, I invoke thy name. Oh Great Goddess, bless us…
The Crooked Tree
CROOKED TREE The stage would be horizontally divided in two parts. The part in the back would further be divided in two halves. The left side would function as doctor’s room and office of the adoption agency, to be used for Act II & IV respectively. The right side would function as the protagonist’s home….
The Toxic Binary
This artwork is a comment on the toxic binary which exists between male and female attributes. The difference in how men and women are supposed to behave, dress, and talk, conventionally. The pot represents our conditioning since birth. The face split into two, is both, a male (on the left) and a female face…
Paradise for Imperfect Individuals
PARADISE FOR IMPERFECT INDIVIDUALS It was just another cold winter morning, pretty much like all other mornings, the only noticeable difference being that it was the day my father adopted the son of his friend. His father and mine fought in the war together and had shared a bond as brothers. After the war his…
Mudra
A ‘coming-out’ tale of a young woman, in 1998, in Madras. “She took lonely walks, existed quietly, avoided office get-togethers, listened to Boney M and Eruption, read books by Kalki and watched movies with her neighbour, an Anglo-Indian, who introduced her to Roberto Rossellini. She was known by few, cared by less. She was a…
Female Criminality
This paper talks about those women who have been tied down due to their relationships and the norms that govern it. The movie Thelma and Louise inspires us to be free and break from these shackles. FEMALE CRIMINALITY IN THELMA AND LOUISE What drives a woman to commit a crime? her…
Umeed
Umeed is a poem by Surabhi Rathore.