g_b Queer as Folks season Five free CD offer
Dear Members, I just bought a QAF (Queer As Folks) season if anyone want to borrow a free copy of the respective season please follow me on Twitter for further detail. There will be a luck draw between my follower on twitter and the winner will get a free copy of QAF through. My Twitter ID sunnysizzlers Please spread the words Sunny My Tech Blog http://thegeekhead.blogspot.com/
g_b Rant of a gay man
Hey found a new blog ..quite ranty I suppose but reflects some kind of truth about gay dating website . Check it out http://snoopythoughts.blogspot.com/
g_b An intelligent comment on gay relationships through drama
An intelligent comment on gay relationships through drama Madhusree Chatterjee, New Delhi IANS: Sunday, June 14, 2009 The humour of the original play was intact, but without making the characters come across as effeminate, as in Hindi films. Theatre director Sameer Thakur's Indian take on Doric Wilson's 1979 play A Perfect Relationship is an intelligent comment on gay relationships in contemporary India. Adapted by Thakur of Cathaa Yatra, a Delhi-based community theatre company, A Perfect Relationship was staged to an overflowing audience at the American Centre in the capital Friday. The play, which has won acclaim since it was staged in the capital in 2008, has been recommended for the Dublin International Theatre Festival in 2009 and has entered into the archives of the New York's National Museum of Performing Arts. Written by American playwright Doric Wilson in 1979, A Perfect Relationship was first performed in New York in 1980. Reminisces Doric in one of his interviews about the making of the A Perfect Relationship: I was interviewing a potential roommate to share my Bedford Street apartment. When I asked him why he wanted to move, he answered, 'You could write a play about what happened to me.' It seems his lover brought home a trick (another man) and they decided to live together. So they kicked him out, but the trick only wanted the apartment so it was only a matter of time until the trick also evicted the lover. Three weeks later the first draft of 'A Perfect Relationship' was finished (but the interviewee didn't move in). For Thakur, the scenario of the queer New York City of the 1970s becomes the humorous story of Sunny and Rehaan, two flatmates, who are great friends, but not lovers as they insist. The room-mates, who spend most of their gossiping and downing shots of Vodkas, suddenly find their lives turning upside down when Ashwin, a 'gay' friend decides to take over their lovely flat in the middle of south Delhi. It leads to hilarious twists of feigned love, betrayal and cunning deceit. Manpreet, aka Mandy, the self-styled land lady adds to the confusion. She makes a living subletting small flats where she walks in anytime with her boyfriend of the day. Mandy is loud, crass with her Punjabi-laced English, but good at heart. The play ends with Ashwin getting what he wants - the flat and good guys losing out. But there's hope in the end. The strength of the play lies in its insights into the 21st century gay world of Delhi. The men have their insecurities - both in bed and outside - and are vulnerable to betrayals. This alternative universe - like the straight world - is peopled by double-crossers who would do anything for money; even two-timing with a girl for small favours. It comments on closet relationships of the affluent gay men. Ashwin is the rich guy - who wants to set up a love in Sunny and Rehaan's flat to carry on with his personal life. Even my wife does not know about my personal life, he proclaims. The dialogues are witty, earthy and have a domesticated feel about them. The set is minimal. We put it up for production in 2008 in Delhi and in NCR. And the reactions came as a pleasant surprise. Most people said it was a courageous effort because of the social context. We let the humour remain as it is - without deviating from the original play. The play has references to the current gay rights movement in India, director Sameer Thakur told IANS. Thakur also designed the set. The audience was not laughing at the gay characters in the play because they were natural- unlike the ones we come across in movies with their effeminate and comic ways, the director said. Thakur got in touch Wilson last on the Internet seeking permission to adapt and relocate the play to New Delhi. Wilson was initially doubtful. But then, I always say that my plays belong to the community they were written for. So I have my permission. And forgot all about it..., Wilson said in an interview to the media. Thakur is preparing for his next play, Godot Arrives. I will try to push the boundary of humour in 'Godot Arrives'. It is a modern adaptation of 'Waiting for Godot' by Samuel Beckett. Regards, Sunny
g_b My brother is gay: Richard Gere
Legendary actor Richard Gere has spoken out for gay marriage rights in the U.S. in support of his brother, who married during the brief period when gay unions were legal in California. Hollywood hunk Gere is furious over California Supreme Court's recent decision to uphold a gay marriage ban, which came into effect under the Proposition 8 legislation late last year (08) - six months after homosexual unions were declared valid. And he is adamant there is no reason why individuals like his younger brother David should be denied the same rights as straight couples. My brother is gay and he got married in that brief period when gay marriage was allowed in California. He has two great kids and is a wonderful father, the Daily Express quoted him as saying. Love Sunny
g_b Drew Barrymore protests gay marriage ban
Actress Drew Barrymore along with singer Kelly Osbourne and other celebrities rallied here to protest against the new California ban on gay marriage. The celebrities joined thousands of activists to protest about the re-instatement of Proposal 8, which bans same-sex marriages after they were legalised briefly last year. Star Trek actor George Takei, Kelly Osbourne, Sophia Bush, comedienne Kathy Griffin and singer/actress Deborah Gibson are among other celebrities who have criticised California's approval of the ban. I was raised a good Catholic girl and nowhere in church do I remember it ever being an issue for everybody to be treated equally. I can't believe it's 2009 and this is still an issue, the Daily Express quoted Gibson as saying. Osbourne added, It goes without saying that if you love someone, you should be able to marry them no matter. ..
g_b Rahul Gandhi becomes the new gay icon
Mumbai: Rahul Gandhi emerged as a youth icon during the General Elections with even Prime Minster Manmohan Singh acknowledging his contribution to the Congress' thumping victory. But it isn't only the youth that are looking to him for a voice. The country'slesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-gender (LGBT) community voted overwhelmingly for the Congress hoping thatyoung Rahul would take up their cause. He's really cute... he's so good looking and young. He's like the Ranbir Kapoor of Indian politics. He has all the charm and he didn't even have to drop a towel, says gay rights activist Harish Iyer. But critics say it's just a passing phase and that the support has more to do with Rahul's charisma than his performance. We cannot just trust them just because Rahul is good looking. He has to prove himself, says Nitin Karani, Editor-at-Large of Gay Bombay. Naz Foundation founder and Executive Director Anjali Gopalan says, There is this honesty that sort of shines across... but I hope that is real. With the annual gay pride parades still not receiving support outside some key metros it looks like an uphill task for the rainbow brigade. But their optimism runs high. He's still single and he is 38-39...and he has cute dimples and so do I. So he has tough competition, points out Harish Iyer. It would be interesting to see if their dimpled icon actually proves to be their knight in shining armour. (With inputs from Shambhavi Rai and Sholeen Damarwala)
g_b Are we going hide our identity in Delhi Gay Pride
Dear Proud Members of LGBT Association of India Are we going to hide our identity in Delhi Gay pride like most of us did last time by wearing mask on our face. Is it safe to reveal our faces(Identity) on pride's day. Well, I came out on pride's day as a gay boy and dressed like a sailor but it was Brighton(England) where I can feel safe then in India. Though I am an Indian, I have no clue how safe it is to reveal your identity during pride's day in India. Does it effect my job, family, society, my life etc ? Love Sunny
g_b The play focuses on the gay lifestyle, which presents a problem in India
Tri-City native Doric Wilson found his writing niche in New York City a half-century ago. Though his playwriting has been well received on off-Broadway productions for many years, one of his plays is packing a punch half a world away. A Perfect Relationship is having a stirring effect on the human rights movement in New Delhi, India, where the production opened about a year ago. The play focuses on the gay lifestyle, which presents a problem in India. Archaic Indian penal code makes it a crime to engage in homosexual activity, explained the play's director, Sameer Thakur, in an e-mail to the Herald this week. We chose to bring this play to the Indian stage, especially at this time, because it is relevant in the context of a litigation at the Delhi high court against section 377 of the Indian penal code, he said. In addition, the gay rights movement in India has picked up momentum over the last few years, he added. We had our first gay pride in Delhi last year and the second one is scheduled for June 29, Thakur said. There have been other plays and even Bollywood films with gay characters in them. However, most portrayals of gay persons have been stereotyped, comic roles that the audience has always laughed at rather than Mr. Wilson's play that provided us with the opportunity to portray people with whom urban, educated audiences in Delhi could identify with. Wilson is thrilled his play has found a new audience in India. It is humbling to realize that a 10-year-old kid who organized his first plays with his cousins in a barn on his grandfather's Plymouth ranch 60 years later would have a script that is actually affecting human rights in a country halfway around the planet, Wilson told the Herald on Thursday. Wilson couldn't resist making this humorous comparison: Makes me sort of a Benton County Harriet Beecher Stowe. Wilson has become a staple in New York City theater, having several of his plays performed in the off-off-Broadway district. He's also the co-founder of the theater group The Other Side of Silence, known more commonly as TOSOS. He was honored last year by New York's theater community with the 2007 Innovative Theater Award for Artistic Achievement. Wilson said A Perfect Relationship is one of his least political plays. It's about relationships, he said. But it seems relationships between same genders turns out to be the most political of all! How empty people's lives must be for them to waste so much of their time on this planet hating other people. I know my mom and my old Kennewick High teacher, Miss Larson (who was the inspiration behind Wilson's writing career), would be proud, Wilson said. Thakur couldn't be happier with the success of Wilson's play and it's impact on Indian theatergoers. The audiences come away with having enjoyed a comedy in which the characters happen to be gay, Thakur said. The largely heterosexual audiences don't appear to feel disconnected to the play's characters despite their lifestyle differences, he added. Most importantly, the director and Wilson are hoping to hear good news in the near future from India's high court regarding the outdated penal code. We are hoping to hear a favorable verdict from the high court to abolish the old law, Thakur said. In the meantime, the theater is full, and the audiences are roaring for more. For us it's a personal satisfaction of speaking our minds in the best way we can. Love Sunny
g_b Family pressure on us disgusting: Indian gays
New Delhi, May 24 Homosexuality is a criminal offence in India, but many gays believe that a change in the law will do no good to them unless society starts accepting them and stops putting pressurise on them to conform. According to Ranjan, 43, who works with an NGO in the capital, family pressure in India is disgusting. Family pressure in India is disgusting. As a gay, I am not supposed to disrespect my family reputation even though I am feeling miserable from inside, Ranjan said. The law can't make any difference till we help ourselves and get support from society and our family. There is a lot of discrimination against us and no law can change that attitude of people towards us. The need of the hour is to garner support from society to live a normal life like other human beings do, said Ranjan. There is no official data on the country's gay population, according to UNAIDS officials. The Indian Penal Code holds homosexual acts as an offence, with Section 377 providing punishment up to life imprisonment for indulging in them. For 44-year-old prince Manavendra Singh Gohil from Rajpipla in Gujarat, it wasn't easy to disclose the fact that he was gay, but after a failed marriage that lasted 15 months, he decided that succumbing to peer pressure would do no good to his own life. Initially, I didn't have the courage to be open about my identity but as I came out of a failed marriage, I decided not to take it any more. After this, my mother had almost disowned me for some time. But slowly everyone around me accepted me, Gohil explained. What I realised was that by getting married I was not only failing myself but also my wife and my family. Being a gay is no threat to our values and tradition. Most of us shy away from accepting our selves because of the dilemma of social acceptance, he added. History lecturer and gay activist Rajarshi Chakrabarty said on phone from Murshidabad in West Bengal: There is so much struggle and stigma associated with homosexuality that it becomes difficult for a gay to survive. According to society, you should get married at a certain age, whatever your sexual orientation is because that is a rule you have to follow to gain acceptance in society. Unfortunately, this leads to pressure on homosexuals which in turn leads to fights and confusion within. Sunil Menon, 43, an anthropologist and founder of Sahodaran that deals with male sexual health projects, says one should never feel guilty about being gay. The guilt cycle starts from childhood when he is confused about his feelings and does not get the opportunity to explore who he is and come to terms with it, Menon explained. People take medicines and run after psychiatrists to change this nature but you can't do anything about it because you are born with it. It is part of a person's personality and he should accept it rather than focussing on changing it, he added. Menon also believes that importance should be given to sex education in schools and colleges to raise awareness about the issue, especially among people from a low strata of society so that they don't feel lost and save themselves from verbal and emotional abuse. Said Ranjan: It's not just society, the problem also lies with us because we are scared and have fear within us. It took me 30 years to accept myself as I am, so how could I expect my family to understand me and my emotions overnight? It is a long and difficult process. Today Ranjan is happily living with his partner and their parents come to visit them.
g_b Resquest for your personal point of view
Dear Member, I am thinking to shoot a video which will focus on dressing sense of people in delhi(for now). I know it may be or can sound bitchy. But seriously this will be just for fun to show how horrible can people dress and think they are looking cool. Ofcourse i am not a fashion critic and this will be purely my point of view on dressing sense. What you think guys its safe to shoot this kind of video ? PS : The video will be posted on LGBT Association of India yahoo group (Link mentioned below). So inorder to see this video and its comment I will appreciate the respective group. Well for me this group is no nonsence and provide valuable information about LGBT in india and worldwide and according to admin this groupwill be having more spices in future soon Love Sunny Join : LGBT Assocation of India (Pink Stone) http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/LGBT-Association-India/
g_b Say Hi to Sunny
Hiya Guys, Me going to party tomorrow at polkas in delhi. Say his to me if ya see me.. Love to make new friends coz m new to delhi my luvly bois lol My manjam id if you wanna have a look my picture lol http://www.manjam.com/myattitude Love Sunny xx
g_b Welcome to Florida: 'Fantasy' spot for Indian journalist
Are you gay? The question, posed by my driving instructor, rather jolted me. No, I said. And in fact, I'm not, and am happily married to a woman back in my native India. I am in South Florida for five months as part of a journalism fellowship program. My host at the Sun Sentinel found me a temporary place in Victoria Park, which, apparently, is home to a gay population. Which is what sparked the intrusive question from the instructor. In reality, I should not have been surprised by the question about sexuality, posed by someone here. Growing up in a small town in India, amid a conservative society that dislikes and scoffs at any explicit conversation about sex or sexuality, Florida and, particularly, Miami to me always came through the idiot box as an erotic fantasy. It was all about Baywatch babes! OK, Baywatch was set in California, not South Florida, but we equated beaches and bikinis with the Sunshine State. So for most of my friends back home, it was a matter of great envy to learn that I was heading for South Florida to train with the Sun Sentinel for five months on a journalism fellowship. Not for the puritan, professional reasons for which I was about to embark on the trip, but for the fact that I would, and they won't, get to see first hand if South Florida reality was anywhere close to those fantasies we shared with great fun in college days. Honestly, I felt like a proud winner of big ticket lottery in one corner of my alter ego. After all, journalists, too, are human beings carrying the good and the bad and all the other worldly desires you care about. Earlier this month, I felt inching closer to finally realizing my yesteryear fantasies as our flight began descending on Fort Lauderdale. Of course, the professional and personal goals that I set for myself for the fellowship remain paramount. But somewhere in the small corner of my heart, I felt a eureka moment: Hey, man, this is it! The world of South Florida that I have always heard about is right here, under you! Not for nothing did one of my co-fellows say to me before we parted ways in Kansas City, Missouri, after our orientation seminar: You are a lucky devil! Indeed Florida remains a fantasy travel for many back home. Now, being asked if I am gay was not exactly the kind of question I expected to be asked. I expected questions about India, and the Mumbai attacks. But the question suggests that South Florida will live up to my expectations, and maybe more. Jaideep Hardikar is working as a visiting journalist at the Sun Sentinel courtesy of the Alfred Friendly Fellowship program. Love Sunny Join LGBT Association of India (Pink Stone) http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/LGBT-Association-India/
g_b Is Congress doing something about gays in india ?
Hi Folks, As you already know that congress has won. We wanted congress to run the Indian government so they are now. I am just wondering now that congress has won, will they do anything about gays in India ? Congress who has one of his young or so called youth leader Rahul Gandhi, will he do anything about gays in india or law against us ? will he stand beside us or against us ? I see Mrs Sonia Gandhi as an open minded person (Since she is not from India and has more exposure about gays in general) and Dr Manmoham Singh as an well educated person to understand logically on the issue of gay human rights. What you think about it guys ? Please express you views on it. You can reply back in the LGBT Association of India group. Link mentioned below PS Join the LGBT Association of India (Pink Stone). http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LGBT-Association-India/join Some videos link might interest you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpLNMEE-W3U Much Appreciated Love Sunny
