Queer postcard from India

If you think that Lea’s diesel dyk-ing around India stops at riding a motorbike and wearing a bandana, think again: in today’s episode, we listen to Lea’s interview with Tanishka, a girl eager to share her experience of being queer in India. During their conversation, Lea and Tanishka talk about some of the major differences when being queer in the East as opposed to the West, from coming out and dating apps, to opening up to family and thinking about marriage. After Lea carries out her famous ‘cookie test’ (go listen to episode 2 if you don’t know what we’re on about!), she and Tanishka talk more about the Pune queer scene, meetups, and how Lea’s pictures could be turned into the perfect scamming bait. Make sure you listen until the very end of the episode, not just to hear Casey’s thoughts on Tanishka’s experience, but also to witness the short lifespan of Lea’s romantic pick-up lines.

Links

LGBTQ India Helplines

Nazariya Foundation: Queer Feminist Resource Group

Trans couple having a baby

Outline

00:00 – 06:59 – Intro, gay day check and a few updates

07:00 – 08:43 – Today’s topic: understanding being queer in India through Tanishka

08:44 – 15:25 – Tanishka’s coming out story

15:26 – 21:36 – (Trying to) meet the community: dating apps and fake profiles in India

21:37 – 26:54 – The Delhi queer scene and changing views on the LGBTQ+ community

26:55 – 31:55 – Queer representation in the media and opening up family

31:56 – 34:20 – The sexualization of lesbians and views on queer marriages

34:21 – 50:49 – More comparisons: being queer in the East and in the West

50:50 – 54:52 – The Pune queer scene and the risk of being blackmailed

54:53 – 01:02:33 – Thoughts from Casey on the interview

01:02:34 – 01:04:48 – Outro: Lea’s pick-up line and how to contact us

Credits

Co-hosts: Casey, Lea

Guest: Tanishka

Producers: Elle, Maria

Song: ‘Free the Nip’ by MuMu

Artwork: Laure

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