"We're Here, We're queer, and we wish to say 'Hello!'"
Minority genders/sexualities are considered a taboo in this country. LGBT stories often make it to news headlines but how many of us are actually aware about the issue, its importance and implications?
The society overlooks the existence of the LGBT community, either deliberately or otherwise. The society ridicules gender and sexual minorities by stereotypical and often false portrayals on media, especially television and cinema.
The threat of nonacceptance has caused a good part of gender and sexual minorities to be fraught with fear and doubt.
Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 introduced during the British Rule reads as below:
"377. Unnatural offences: Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine."
This Section criminalizes sexual activities 'against the order of nature', arguably including homosexual acts.
The Supreme Court of India in 2013, upheld the 'ambit' of Section 377 as also criminalizing homosexual acts.
Today, the rights of gender and sexual minorities stand violated in every sphere of life despite numerous attempts to foster ideas of openness and inclusiveness in the minds of people.
Queertopia is an attempt to help all genders and sexualities to come out in the open without fear, without doubt.
I intend to share with you relevant stories, developments, dimensions concerning human rights and to develop this into a webzine documenting lives and experiences of inspiring voices from the Queer community.
Love and let love!