Exclusive: Faizy Boo - I am gay and I am extremely flamboyant

Faizy Boo

Faisal Khan is a model and makeup artist from Mumbai who goes by the name Faizy Boo. The 22-year-old is from Mumbai. In 2018, he participated in MTV's reality show Ace of Space and won many hearts. He is known for his bold dressing, amazing makeup and floor breaking dance moves. In an interview with mid-day.com, Faizy Boo gave an insight into his lifestyle, journey and the issues faced by the LGBT community.

Pics courtesy: Faisal Khan/ Instagram

Please specify your full name, where you were born and where you currently live

My name is Faisal Khan. I am fondly known as Faizy-Boo. I am an actor, model, dancer and a party-animal. I love and shopping and currently, I live in South-Bombay with my family.

Can you describe what your sexual orientation/gender identity is and for how long have you realised the same?

It is funny that a lot of people keep asking me this question, "When did you realise that you are gay?" I am gay and I am extremely flamboyant. A lot of people related my sexuality to my clothes, "You are gay is that why you dress like this?" But I dress up according to my mood, not according to my sexual orientation. So, the world made me realise by questing "why you talking like this?", "why you dressing like this?" and I was always myself. The world made me realise that I was different. And honestly, I do not think I have a specific date in my mind (about my sexuality) because I have always known that I was gay. It's as simple as asking a straight guy or a girl when did they realise that they were straight?

Have you ever faced discrimination in your workplace due to your sexuality or gender identity?

For me, my face has always done an amazing job. So first of all, people do not believe I am an Indian, so they have notions like, 'You are such a good looking guy, but you're gay'. So they take a step back and ask, "Why are you gay? You should have been straight, you are such a good looking man." I ask them 'why are you so basic and straight? I think you should join my community.' So honestly, I have never faced any discrimination at work. In fact, I come from the cosmetic industry. I have worked with some of the leading brands, MAC cosmetic and they supported LGBTQ of all ages, races and sexes.

Later, I became the brand ambassador for a brand called 'Wet n Wild' which is an LA-based brand for Nykaa. And Nykaa supports everyone.

From the industry that I belong to, men and women, both were very comfortable with me. For example, if I have a male customer coming up to me, he might just be a bit ticked off at first because I am gay but then they anyways come up to me and say something like, 'Hey bro, I need a foundation.' I would never make him my bro. (He jokes).

What are some challenges that LGBTQ members face today in a country like India?

Discrimination. People, I won't say we get judged because honestly, we are living in a country where people will judge you no matter who or what you are. Whether you are thin, dark, white, black, purple, or whatever skin colour you belong to, there is always body-shaming, slut-shaming and the list goes on. You name it and people always have to say something or the other about it. They have to say something and mostly they will say something bad. So I think it is not only the LGBTQ community but all of us who are judged by society.