Inspired by gay son, Indo-Canadian couple forms LGBT support group
Twelve years after going through deep turmoil when their son came out as gay, Sushma and Vijay Agarwal are now leading the way by forming a support group for others in the Indo-Canadian and South Asian diaspora grappling with homosexuality.
By 2011, the Agarwals, who live in a Toronto suburb, had accepted their son Rishi for what he was with the help of the support group Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). They also organised a traditional Hindu wedding for Rishi and his partner, Daniel Langdon, complete with rituals and an officiating pundit.
On Sunday, the Agarwals announced the formation of PFLAG-Peel Region, a chapter that will focus on the Indo-Canadian and South Asian diaspora, a community where homosexuality still remains a largely taboo subject.
Sushma said, “The com- ing out process can be challenging in any culture, and South Asian families face their own unique challenges, such as how other members of the community will react, judge, or reject. Now there is a venue and community support for these families.”
In an interview, Vijay agreed: “We got help by PFLAG Toronto and PFLAG Canada when we were in a very hard spot and we have seen other people going through this dilemma. And because of their support we were able to reconcile in our mind and accept our son, and we did a full Hindu ritual wedding.”
The Agarwals are retired and live in Oakville in the province of Ontario. On Sunday, in Mississauga near Toronto, the PFLAG-Peel Region chapter was formally inaugurated by Ontario’s Premier Kathleen Wynne, who herself is lesbian.
The new chapter will meet on the first Sunday of each month at a space donated by a yoga studio.