Over the rainbow

This Pride month, a host of virtual events will nurture, educate and celebrate all things queer

Be part of a mentorship programme

Ikigai NGO India from Kolkata is sponsoring a Peer Mentoring Programme that aims at providing support to students seeking guidance from a peer in the LGBTQIA+ community. Through this programme, the organisation is aiming to help students develop gender identity and a positive sexual orientation. The mentors will provide a safe space for students and allow them to open a communication channel that will let them ask questions, learn and grow. Based on their challenges, the mentees will be paired with peers, who have had similar life experiences to help them communicate better. 
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WHERE: @ikigai.ngo.india on Instagram

Keep it light

Indulge in a light-hearted evening as Navin Noronha hosts an all-inclusive queer-rated comedy open mic. If you are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, you can share your stories and jokes with the world too.
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WHERE: Zoom
WHEN: June 27, 9.30PM
PRICE: Rs 199
TO REGISTER: in.bookmyshow.com

Participate in a queer fest

To celebrate and support the LGBTQIA+ community, Instagram has announced a partnership with The Queer Muslim Project, to present the second edition of the Digital Pride Festival. The festival will consist of five segments, including creator panels, performances, panels on online safety, mental health, and a masterclass on new tools of expression such as Reels. Some of the speakers include ace filmmaker Zoya Akhtar, illustrator and designer Sonaksha, creators Roshini Kumar and Durga Gawde. 
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WHERE: Instagram Live and Zoom 
WHEN: June 11 to June 27
TO REGISTER: @thequeermuslimproject

Pride with hope

The Humsafar Trust has curated a series of events around the theme #PridewithHope. These include panel discussions on the vaccine, an Instagram Live session with India’s first transwoman photojournalist Zoya Lobo and a three-day queer film festival. 
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WHERE: Instagram Live on @humsafartrust and Zoom
WHEN: June 6 to June 20, 5 PM onwards
TO REGISTER: tinyurl.com/PrideWithHope

Also Read: How Mumbai’s LGBTQI+ community reacted to The Vatican's same-sex marriage stance

Don’t miss game night

LGBTQIA+ India, which helps members from the community socialise with each other, has organised a string of pride month events, which include a queer movie night, karaoke, game night, book reading and much more. 
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WHERE: Discord
WHEN: June 6 to June 30,  10 PM onwards
TO REGISTER: lgbtqindiadiscord.link

A podcast to educate

Red FM has launched LGBT KYUN?, a show hosted by Manvendra Singh Gohil on Red FM Podcasts to address issues, educate and raise awareness around the LGBTQIA+ community. Gohil is the first openly gay prince in the world and the podcast will have him speak to members of the community and personalities who have stood for queer rights about their lives, struggles and hopes.
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WHERE: Red FM India App
WHEN: June 4 onwards

Digital desi pride

The Gay Gaze Bombay and Queer Art Exchange are putting together a lineup of events that cover all things art, wellness and culture. Some of the key events that are a must-attend include a workshop with Durga Gawde, the country’s first drag king, where the attendees can learn about self-love in the life of a queer person. There’s also a beauty workshop by Toshada Uma, who will talk about how to express yourself through social media content and get the best possible results. 
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WHERE: Bramble.live
WHEN: All through June
PRICE: Rs 400 onwards 
TO REGISTER: visit www.linktr.ee/GayGaze

Conversation starters

Yes, We Exist India will be conducting Instagram Live sessions that offer an engaging list of relevant and urgent topics that reflect the current challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community, especially due to the pandemic. Their plan is to hear audience stories for 40 minutes during these sessions and dedicate the remaining 20 minutes to hear from experts. The topics include, how do I deal with loneliness; how do I make friends within the community; how do I start and sustain an LGBTQIA+ club in college; how do I look after my mental health if I cannot afford therapy?
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WHERE: Instagram Live on @yesweexistindia
WHEN: Saturdays, 9PM

For Covid support

Nazariya, a Delhi-based queer feminist resource group, has been raising issues related to queer and trans persons since 2014. Over the last few months, they’ve also been offering COVID-support to members of the community. Based on the needs of the person, they help with oxygen, home care, meals and even hospital expenses in certain cases.  
CALL: 9999977272

Follow these artists

Reya Ahmed@artofreya, Instagram

This visual artist explores feminism, queer identity and her experiences of growing up in a Bengali-Muslim household through illustration, animation, architectural and editorial design. Her creations are focused on women navigating spaces within the urban fabric and dealing with societal binaries and heteronormative rituals. The subversion of a religious gaze on gender is quite prominent in her work.  

Harjyot Khalsa

@whirlwnd, Instagram

Khalsa sometimes draws in between work tasks reflects the fluidity that characterises ber artwork. Khalsa loves to celebrate friendships that transcend the need to fit into traditional boxes. Being an illustrator, she gets to draw things that her brain spends a lot of time thinking about in jazzy colours that she loves. It also gives her the chance to gradually shift the culture towards inclusivity and visibility.

Also Read: Must Watch Queer Holiday Movies

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