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

Planning on getting hitched? Our friends at Bibi Magazine and Stardust have a once-a-year event just for you! Come enjoy cocktails, cuisine, a fashion show and shopping in one of Manhattan’s newest venues. Love is love and couples of all gender combinations are encouraged to attend. RSVP at BibiBridalStyleSalon.com to be added to the guest list. To get you in the nuptial mood, read all about Karthik and Sandeep, who’s storybook wedding story was featured

Posted: April 19th, 2018

“One of the main reasons I took the job is because I wanted to represent a community that’s never been represented before. I’m not talking about underrepresented—I mean never been represented.”  Conde Naste Traveler recently interviewed Queer Eye’s style expert Tan France about growing up in the UK, breaking reality TV barriers, and his passion for Pakistani cooking. Netflix’s latest revamp of the “classic” show “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” premiered in February to rave

Posted: April 1st, 2018

Interesting read in the New York Times about India’s third gender  which profiles the lives of members of the hijra community.  While the Government of India officially recognized transgender as a third gender in 2014, harassment and marginalization are still a fact of life for many members of the community. The article touches on the paradoxical position hijras have in Indian society—often revered and welcomed at weddings and births but

Posted: February 20th, 2018