DU’S QUEER COLLECTIVES TAKE PRIDE 2021 ONLINE
Students of Delhi University look forward to the virtual pride celebrations
June is celebrated as Pride month worldwide. And, queer collectives (QC) of Delhi University colleges are keeping up with the celebrations, albeit virtually, due to the pandemic-induced restrictions and lockdowns.
The theme for 2021 is: The Fight Continues. “The theme can be interpreted in many ways. It can be the fight against Covid-19, regressive laws against queer people, or the fight for queer rights,” says Suyash, president of Hindu College’s QC.
The QC of Hindu College has planned a series of Insta lives on various topics every weekend. Filmmakers like Faraz Arif Ansari, Onir and Sridhar Rangayan, who have sensitively brought queer stories on screen, have been invited for talks every weekend. Queeristan: LGBTQ Inclusion in the Indian Workplace’s author Parmesh Shahani is also slated to read excerpts of his book and reflect on his work for the community.
For Ansari, proper representation is very important. “The more representation, the merrier! I remember when I was growing up, there was no representation, not on televi
sion, nor in films. So, I knew I have to represent queer identities well. It’s all about leaving behind a legacy of love and acceptance,” shares Ansari.
The QC of Miranda house is organising the screening of a short film called Devi: Goddess by Karishma Dube, on June 12.
The festivities will culminate into a virtual pride in collaboration with the queer collectives of Miranda House and
Gargi College, towards the end of June.
Although many students are excited about the virtual events, as they get to showcase their work, and interact with like-minded people, some miss the events that used to take place in person. “Physical pride celebrations bring a great energy, create visibility on a wide spectrum, and generate mobility among students. This euphoria can’t be replicated on any medium,” says Shubh Goel, president of Sri Guru Gobind Singh College Of Commerce’s QC. President of Miranda House’s QC, Rio, feels that attending pride online takes away some of its inclusivity. “Being online and having a stable internet connection and a safe space in your own house to attend such events is a privilege that not everyone has,” Rio adds.
To mark the month, QCS of DU colleges across Delhi NCR will collectively contribute to a newsletter called Fakhr, featuring articles, poems, coming out stories and achievements of students. It will come out in the 2nd week of July.
The more representation, the merrier! FARAZ ARIF ANSARI, Filmmaker