Outlook LGBTQ - February 14 - March 13, 2020

HERE are inherent challenges when one works on an issue like this one

LGBTQs. The first is to treat them, not as non-mainstream, but an inherent

and natural part of our society. If they are always perceived as separate,

as apart from the mainstream, we fail to integrate them cohesively and

harmoniously. We need to consider them like any other individual; hetero and

homo are two sides of the same societal coin. Yet, sections within the society

have distinct identities, like every person has. An individual can be a north

Indian, one who hails from Punjab, as also a Dalit or Brahmin. Similarly, a

person can be a man, woman, third gender, man and woman, woman and man,

and so on. Any mainstreaming has to be delicate; it has be a melting pot where

each flavor stands out with its own unique taste.

Another issue is the portrayal of LGBTQs. Since mass entertainment and

information construct rigid stereotypes of people with differing identities, an

issue like this has to deliberately and compulsively wean away from them.

One has to show them as normal people, with varying physicality and sexual

tendencies, but with similar emotions, feelings, and desires. They are like any

neighbour we confront in our residential localities, offices, and markets. They

may look and feel different, but these are like the ones that exist between

people from different regions, communities, ethnic groups, religions, and even

classes and castes. In the end, we are humans.