Who out there remembers that burning-cooling-gooey salve that provided a bit of comfort from a bad childhood chest cold—especially when lovingly applied by a doting mummy, naani, daado, or auntie? Procter and Gamble, the makers of Vicks VapoRub, teamed up with creative agency Publicis Singapore to launch a groundbreaking ad that celebrates desi motherly love with a queer twist. Steeped in Indian cinematic nostalgia, the ad is inspired by the true story of Gayatri and

Posted: March 31st, 2017

Just in time for 65+ degree weather this Saturday, it now feels like the perfect time to celebrate Holi in New York   In Group’s annual “Rang Barse” Holi cruise will be happening this Saturday, March 25th, featuring music by Sholay’s own Ashu Rai and Dholi Mohit.  Rang Barse will once again be held on a ship that will set sail from Pier 40 and holi colors will be provided

Posted: March 19th, 2017

Sisak—India’s first silent LGBT short film will debut at Wicked Queer: Boston LGBT Film Festival in April. Written & Directed by Faraz Arif Ansari, Sisak follows the story of two men in Mumbai whose eyes meet on their regular train commute.  Burdened with the larger social (and legal) scorn the two are unable to say anything to each other as their love grows in silence. The chemistry between lead actors Jitin Gulati and

Posted: March 18th, 2017

“I couldn’t be the out and proud leatherman I am today without the support of my family.” Ali Mushtaq wrote on Facebook recently, alongside a photo of himself with his grandparents. The 27-year-old Pakistani-American is the current reigning Mr. Long Beach Leather. He’s lived with his grandparents since the age of 11 and came out to them when he was 15.  He started exploring the LA leather scene in college and didn’t  hide

Posted: March 11th, 2017

“It is official, Mr.Pahalaj Nihalni put the final nail in my coffin,” filmmaker-producer Jayan Cherian posted on his Facebook page in response to a letter received by the Central Board of Film Certification about his queer themed film Ka Bodyscapes. The Indian regional censor board claimed that  “(sic)… the film is glorifying the subject of gay and homosexual relationship, nudity accentuating vital parts of male body (in paintings) in closed shots in

Posted: March 8th, 2017

The Kansas City Star has published a searing editorial taking #45 to task for his silence in last week’s shooting of three men in a bar and death of Srinivas Kuchibhotla.   The editorial mentions that the silence is beginning “to verge on something more disquieting”.  Authorities have not yet called the shooting a hate crime, instead saying they are investigating to see if it was motivated by bias. However, witnesses have reported that the shooter hurled racial slurs

Posted: February 27th, 2017

“These anti-trans bathroom bills are not really about bathrooms, it’s about whether or not we believe trans people have a right to exist in public space.” Laverne Cox spoke out on MSNBC in the wake of the administration’s latest oppressive move, withdrawing guidance issued by the Obama administration that found that denying transgender students the right to use the bathroom of their choice violates federal prohibitions against sex discrimination. She layed out

Posted: February 24th, 2017

We’ve been encouraged by the rallies, protests and overwhelming surge in civic engagement across the country, even during these dark times.  And, if you’re feeling even more depressed by Hindus for Trump and other desi Benedict Arnolds, take comfort in these images selected by Buzzfeed  They feature an assortment of creative phrases and puns, many of which are very familiar to us.  Of course, our favorite is the hot guy with the

Posted: February 17th, 2017