A new video released by Asia Pacific Transgender Network (APTN) “Change the Clap” challenges social norms around the perception of the trans community in South Asia. It portrays the harassment, brutality and incessant clapping with the palms that trans people face in public spaces on a daily basis in South Asia and highlights trans activists who are fighting for trans rights. The video features Pakistan’s first trans fashion model and activist, Kami

Aao Bajao Taali! Y-Films—a subsidiary of Yash Raj Films—has set the Internet on fire with the launch of their new video “Hum Hai Happy.” Is “India’s first transgender band” a groundbreaking musical group or a corporate formula for a viral hit? Our cynical side smells corporate spirit given the splashy corporate underwriting by the folks at Red Label Tea and the earnest sell copy —“Brooke Bond Red Label has always

This may just be the all time best slogan at any desi queer pride march. The third edition of Hyderabad Queer Pride and the first one in the newborn state of Telangana took place on the 8th of February with color, culture, and a touch of humor. The march had an underlying theme focusing on Telangana culture. Various signs condemning Section 377—India’s notorious ant-LGBT law were also seen in abundance. Check

British drag artist Asifa Lahore is on a mission to increase LGBT desi visibility  with the release of  “Tum Hi Ho”.  The video features Asifa’s cover of Tum Hi Ho (You’re The One) from the Bollywood film Aashiqui 2 with vignettes of queer desi couples finding love in the face of adversity—and includes our favorite cutie from Toronto, Shazad Hai. Asifa explains, “After using my previous music videos as parodies to focus

Check us out in TimeOut London. GFest is London’s premier LGBTQI cross-arts festival, GFEST is a platform for LGBTQI artists, organisations and venues to promote LGBT and queer arts. It features group and solo performances, exhibitions, creative workshops and film screenings. The 3 day festival from November 7 to November 9 ends with a “Bollywood Blast” party organized by your very own Sholay Productions featuring visuals by Neeraj, DJ and performances by

See a brief documented history of the Indian LGBT struggle as a timeline from 1977 to 2013 created by Satrang. And we have a long way to go. There may be some faces you will recognize and some that may surprise you.

The Asia Society’s blog, which featured our own Ashu Rai a few months ago, has a new interview up with Bindiya Rana,  president of Gender Interactive Alliance in Pakistan, an organization that works for the rights and social justice for  the transgender  community in Pakistan.  Bindiya talks about her work with the organization in Pakistan which has been focused on providing access to basic health care and the well being of transgender people in

Trikone is proud to host DesiQ, a conference on South Asian lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues. This will be Trikone’s fourth such conference since 1995. DesiQ 2013 calls all South Asian queer and trans folk—activists, organizers, and artists; students, workers, and professionals; youth, seasoned mid-lifers and our silvered elders—to come together and dialogue, gossip, strategize, dance, eat, flirt, listen, contribute, learn, connect, collaborate, make friends, and generally celebrate our