A ‘Common Front’ for The Marginalized in India

Gay Activist Works to Build Broad-Based Political Party

By Emily Wax
Washington Post Foreign Service
Monday, July 6, 2009

BANGALORE, India — Popping out of an auto rickshaw, Manohar Elavarthi unloaded a backpack stuffed with protest posters. Soon he would be rushing to a street demonstration, one that would bring together low-caste Dalit activists, Gandhians, cross-dressers and members of domestic workers unions.

Elavarthi aspires to be the first openly gay man elected to a major political office in India, like Harvey Milk in the United States. Elavarthi is credited with being the first gay figure in India to build a mainstream political coalition across a wide spectrum of historically marginalized groups.

“Our dream for Indian politics is to build a common front of lesbians, untouchables, eunuchs and low-paid workers — people who really need a voice in this country,” said Elavarthi, who has received death threats for his views, largely from right-wing religious groups and police. “India — the new India — is really changing. We need to build a party around social justice for minorities. It would be a sign that India is a true secular democracy.”

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Coming Out For Reel

By Shatarupa Chaudhuri
April 11, 2009
SOURCE:  Express Buzz

BANGALORE: “I am here for the movies. And Alessandro, he just wants to sleep around,” Daniel hooted with laughter at his own joke, while Alessandro vehemently protested between his blushes. We joined in the leg-pulling and Alessandro, who’s from Italy, went redder.“I want to watch the movies, make friends. And it is a different experience for me in India. Italy has changed a lot in the last 10 years and gays are more accepted, unlike here. Almost everyone there has a friend or a cousin or an acquaintance who is gay and people are okay with it,” Alessandro defended himself. Read the rest of this entry »

Creating spaces sans bias

Thursday, April 9, 2009
By Vaishali Chandra
SOURCE:  DNA India

Bangalore: Reel life often takes flights of fancy. It, however, is a potent medium to mirror reality. The two-day Bangalore Queer Film Festival commences Friday in an effort to raise awareness towards LGBT issues among the masses.

Films are a celebration of life, a window into people’s lives. Good As You, a support group for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) groups, and Delhi-based Nigah bring to the city an array of international films that throw light on queer lifestyles.

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