..because it does. What’s at stake? Everything. We’re in the final stretch and we’re all getting nervous with dark money and voter suppression tactics potentially tipping the scales against progress. If your state has early voting, please make sure to vote as soon as possible.  Otherwise, there’s a lot one can do in the days leading up to November 6th, even in our “safe bubble” of New York City.  Swing Left’s

Posted: October 30th, 2018

We were thrilled to co-sponsor Wednesday night’s #Micropolis event at WNYC”s  Greene Space to celebrate the recent demise of India’s archaic law, Section 377, which outlawed gay sex. The evening featured moving panel discussions, fab drag performances, beats by Ashu Rai and was hosted by Arun Venugopal. Thanks to Riddhi Sandil, Gayatri Gopinath, Lal Batti and Sundari Indian-Goddess for an engaging and informative evening—and for the years of solidarity + activism…moving the needle on LGBTQ movements across the diaspora. If you missed

Posted: October 26th, 2018

Happy National Coming Out Day! For the occasion, the Teal Mango has rounded up four  web series featuring South Asian characters that you should check out. Each reflects the diversity of the LGBT experience while also, in many cases, highlighting the challenges members of the community face in South Asia and the diaspora to this day. They include:   “The ‘Other’ Love Story” Directed by Rupa Rao The series follows two

Posted: October 12th, 2018

On August 14th and 15th, we celebrate the 71st birthdays of Pakistan and India respectively. Why celebrate an independence hastily crafted by British colonizers triggering one of the bloodiest upheavals in human history? In these unsettling times marked by nationalism, authoritarianism and a creeping tribalism here in the U.S and across many parts of the globe, national independence days are taking on an alarmingly jingoistic edge. And yet, as an LGBTQ

Posted: August 11th, 2018

How low can you go, Cheeto? Slate reports that the Trump administration is quietly siphoning funding from the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program to pay for their recklessly implemented zero-tolerance immigration policy which has led to the detention of thousands of children who have been separated from their parents. Slate was able to acquire documents from the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) an agency that is part of the Department of

Posted: July 14th, 2018

“My mother says that I made our country proud and that must be celebrated! Sadly in our society people don’t have that same respect for us…” Meet Samarpan Maiti—model, actor, scientist, activist, and runner-up in the Mr Gay World 2018 competition held in May in South Africa. While many of us question why we even need a Mr Gay World in 2018—which raises all sorts of issues around commodifying looks, body shaming, etc.—Samarpan is

Posted: June 19th, 2018

As we celebrate Pride across the globe this June, the NY Times recently highlighted the continued challenges faced by LGBTQ folks in India under the regressive  Section 377 of the Indian Penal code criminalizing gay sex. This summer, India’s Supreme Court is expected to consider petitions made by members of the LGBTQ community who are mobilizing for change. As  the court reviews the law’s constitutionality, lawyers and activists who have been

Posted: June 9th, 2018

It’s that time of year again and we’ve got your list of desi queer things to do when the South Asians take over town! Below is a round up of NYC Pride related events—including marches and parties.  Bookmark this page and keep checking back for updated info.  Email us if you’ve got a desi queer tip in NYC.   Sunday, June 3rd Queens Gay Pride Parade & Festival 12PM Kick off Pride

Posted: May 31st, 2018