Ahead of Pride Month, Westland Books has launched 'Queer Directions' (QD), a new publishing imprint with Godrej DEI Lab, that will be dedicated to amplifying voices of people from the community across genres spanning non-fiction, poetry, and eventually, fiction. With plans to launch six compelling titles this year, the collaboration signals a deep
14 May,2025 07:15 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWhy the name Queer Rated Comedy? — is the first question we ask city-based stand-up comedian Navin Noronha as he speaks to us on a late morning call, fresh from his foreign tour. “That is a pun on curated comedy, which is what most comedy gigs are,” he quips. From what started as Zoom call sessions with openly out comedians
14 May,2025 09:17 AM IST | Mumbai | Divyasha PandaOn the day of my wedding, everyone was happy except for me,” says Harsh K, 33. “For three years, there had been a lot of pressure on me to get married, but I dreaded the thought of the wedding night. I didn’t know how to explain to my parents that I am asexual,” says the accountant from Thane, who has since separated from hi
04 May,2025 07:58 AM IST | Mumbai | Debjani PaulFor queer individuals, channeling their identities through personal style is a deeply intuitive experience that is constantly evolving with their authentic selves. This connection between inner identity and outward presentation becomes a powerful tool for navigating a world limited to and shaped by binaries. Fashion serves a purpose beyond aestheti
26 April,2025 03:55 PM IST | Mumbai | Maitrai AgarwalListen to any of Queen Priyanka’s songs and you know it’s more than just a track; it’s a fearless celebration of one’s identity. That’s why the music sensation—who burst on the scene as the first winner of Canada’s Drag Race—was an apt choice to headline the 10th anniversary of Kitty Su, which has lon
21 April,2025 08:13 AM IST | Mumbai | Sonia LullaThe past few years have seen some of the most important discussions on the rights of the LGBTQiA community in the country. From significant legislations to cultural discourses and artistic depictions, conversations have definitely evolved and grown over the years. Building on a similar strand of thought, Godrej DEi Lab in collaboration with Dasra,
01 February,2025 08:56 AM IST | Mumbai | Divyasha PandaSantanu Bhattacharya grew up in the ’90s, a time where terms such as “queer” and “gay” were familiar, yet expressing oneself was still difficult. “There were two very contrasting feelings sitting side by side—on the one hand, you’re very painfully, terribly alive to your preferences, but on the other
26 January,2025 09:06 AM IST | Mumbai | Aastha Atray BananIf there’s a queer event happening in the city, you’ll likely spot Suhail Abbasi there, particularly if the event is being held in collaboration with a corporate entity. Abbasi, a seasoned activist and the co-founder and chairperson of The Humsafar Trust, is easily identifiable by his signature waistcoats over a T-shirt and jeans, silve
19 January,2025 11:40 AM IST | Mumbai | Arpika BhosaleIt is important to be vocal for one’s fundamental right, through whichever way it suits you,” Karnika Bai, a transgender artist from Aravani Art Project, a trans and cis woman-led public art collective, tells us over a call ahead of their first solo exhibition in the city, On the cusp of the eighth day, for the Mumbai Gallery Weekend at
08 January,2025 12:36 PM IST | Mumbai | Divyasha PandaJanuary is Pride month, with several events for the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community being held through the month till early February. Some of the Mumbai Pride Month events either held or to be held this month are ‘queer hugs’, a Queer Premier League,’ ‘Q Games’ and ‘Gulabi Mela’ all set to
07 January,2025 06:58 AM IST | Mumbai | The EditorialOf the 300 (men who have sex with men) MSM men surveyed, 37.4 per cent said they experienced sexual violence, 45.5 per cent experienced physical violence; 80 per cent were on the receiving end of verbal violence. The survey—Men at risk: Correlates of verbal, physical and sexual violence against MSM across selected cities in India—was re
17 November,2024 08:40 AM IST | Mumbai | Arpika Bhosale | Akshita MaheshwariADVERTISEMENT
