My Autobiography - Chapter 3 (Societal Expressions)

It probably goes back to growing up in an environment that seemed humane, sensitive & secular. But gradually, I started finding myself in the midst of stereotypes, prejudices, biases, thrusted identities & ‘isms’ & I find myself in the chaos of all this. The sadness, the anger, the helplessness kept growing & became a compelling enough desire to share it with people. I needed this catharsis, not wanting to be published but within me, they found a way to be told.
All I can say is that it’s the war of my identity. My Identity of being a homosexual in a homophobic Indian society. People have almost forgotten that to be human is the only identity that matters & is not divisive. But people thrust upon us the identity that we just happen to be born with – gender, religion, clan, cast, creed, community, region, nationality & very fresh, one’s Sexual orientation. Whether the individual is gay, lesbian, trans-sexual or the hijra.
I’m happy bearing the booned burden of ‘gay-ism’ – I accept the accusation of being called one, be it in what so ever local slangs or the so called elite-wise word ‘gay’. I can be happy when there is so much misery around me. In such a scenario, I need to be hopeful & not take the easier way out of being cynical, thereby making an escape from all actions. I still remember the quote by Gandhiji – “Be the change that you want to see in the world.”