In the scorching heat of June 2024, I, along with a lesbian couple, have been shuttling from police station to police station, all in an effort to protect their fundamental rights to life and equality. The constant torment for three of us stems from society’s disdain for ‘transgressive’ love and an unquestioned acceptance of violence against women by family members. Familial and domestic violence is perpetuated and reinforced each time someone scrutinizes and polices one’s queerness through one’s body. Hope often dwindles with seemingly unending cycles of individual, systemic, and systematic violence. Especially, when community members like Prerna (name changed), a 23-year-old lesbian woman says, “We are investing so much money, time, and energy for protecting my rights, is it even worth it? Will things ever change?”
In the face of such questions, social workers not only provide a safe listening space and support in bureaucratic procedures; but also share the responsibility of holding on to the beacon of hope. History reminds us that hope, and perseverance lay the foundational stones for advocacy, action, and change.
One history of hope is that of Pride Month. Each Year, June is celebrated as pride month around the globe, commemorating the Stonewall Uprising. On June 28, 1969, like many other days in New York City, the police raided a small bar called the Stonewall Inn. Taking advantage of the laws against crossdressing, the police would raid bars to arrest queer and transgender persons. When the same happened in Stonewall Inn, the people protested. Days of riot against police brutality acted as a catalyst for LGBTQIA+ rights movement. Following this, the movement for LGBTQIA+ rights has expanded, bringing relief to many within the community.
Various events like theater, music, poetry, sensitisation programs, etc. happen during June all over the world, including India. Such programs are particularly important as they present possibilities for intersectional dialogue through non-conventional sensitisation methods. An example of this approach is ‘Be-Loved’, a theater play by Mumbai-based Theatre Group ‘Tamaasha’, which was recently co-organized by Nazariya Foundation and SAATHII (Solidarity and Action Against The HIV Infection in India) on June 9 at the Bipin Chandra Pal Auditorium in Delhi.
Be-Loved is a musical and satirical drama directed by Sapan Saran and is penned by 17 prominent writers, including artist Bhupen Khakhar, poet Josh Malihabadi, and LGBTQIA+ rights activists Maya Sharma and Saleem Kidwai. Recalling the journey of making this play, Sapan shares, “Be-Loved is a collaborative effort. It took us about three months to put it together. We opened the play last year in June after rigorous rehearsal for 45 days. We have seven performers, three music composers, a movement artist, two musicians playing live, 17 writers, adaptation writers, a research team, and an object theater trainer who add life to this play.”
“The play dealt with a very sensitive issue with a lot of care, especially in a context where talking about sex and sexuality is a taboo. The brilliance of the play lies in its contextualisation, creating an ease in the environment, good acting and direction, the movement between realms of reality and alienation,” shared one of the audience members, Gauhar Raza, former scientist, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) and a poet. They emphasize, “You cannot forget about the issue once you have seen this play. It forces you to think and reflect when you come out of the theater hall.”
Resonating with this perspective, Urvashi Butalia, feminist publisher and writer says, “The play took stories on queerness by many writers and connected them with real life cases. People can dismiss stories, but it is difficult to dismiss lived realities.”
As Rituparna Borah (she/they), Director, Nazariya Foundation pens, “Events like this are the best ways to show to the world that advocacy can be done in various ways either through UN mechanisms, through the government, or plays like this. With collective power we can challenge any hate, discrimination, and violence against the queer-trans community.”
“Such events help us to reach an audience that is generally not approachable for training sessions, or for whom training sessions are not accessible. Therefore, when we engage with allies through well-accepted mediums like theater, music, etc., the much-needed information gets conveyed to a huge audience. There is a long way to go to change society’s perception of LGBTQIA+ persons, but events and plays like this will surely create an impression and pave the way for inclusivity,” adds Randhoni Lairikyengbam, Assistant Director, SAATHII.
The echoing sentiments of audience members about how the play moved them highlight the importance of collective efforts toward sensitization using multiple advocacy mediums. It restores hope that change is possible when we create spaces where people can critically reflect on their actions, thoughts, and behavior, and feel the part of the collective. Pride Month, therefore, is not only a time to celebrate queerness and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights but also an opportunity to look back into the history and remind ourselves of the perseverance of those who fought for the rights and then move into the future with hope, care, and kindness.
Khushi Pahuja is a social worker and a sexuality educator.
Charkha Features
