The Instagram account @mohini_ki_almari highlights issues that most Indian queers don't know of or are afraid to address
Batman and Superman lock lips under the moon. A coy Amitabh Bachchan in lipstick, jhumkas, and bandini peeps from a sheer dupatta in Lawaris. Poster of a 2004-5 Pakistani serial Moorat aka Eunuch's Wedding about transgenders' struggles. Muslim hijras speak Farsi and Hindu hijras speak an esoteric Gupti. Duke of New Orleans – Philippe I, who was raised a girl to discourage his aspirations for the crown, married twice, had a mistress, wore heels to war and would worry that gunpowder might mess his look.
Such rare nuggets of the LGBTQIA+ community make up @mohini_ki_almari, literally Mohini's Closet – an Instagram account run by a queer 20-year-old Mumbai-based BCom graduate student. A bejewelled gypsy woman in cascading orange locks, in the account's display picture, posts from behind the pseudonym Mohini – the female incarnate of Vishnu.
Mohini's failed attempts to open up at queer meet-ups and pride marches led the introvert to present well-researched facts and personal opinions that resonate with the desi attitude. "First I want to sensitize the community itself because lesbians, for example, don't know much about transgenders, asexuals or bisexuals," says Mohini. "A common problem in the community is depression because everyone around is heteronormative. It's difficult to relate to anybody. My blog aims to help them grow as a person."
The account has become a two-way street as followers actively comment and message about every upload. For instance, after a series of related posts, many polyamorous folks thanked Mohini for clearing the myth that poly relationships are nothing but a dalliance.
One fan sent an adapted illustration of a king kneeling down and embracing his loverboy, a ghulam (slave). The original artwork belonged to a homosexuality-themed calendar and shows the slave telling the Sultan that he is the most powerful man in the kingdom because he has the Sultan's heart. Photographs and videos from the recent Lucknow Pride March were sent by a follower. Lesbians request for posts on their invisibility and seclusion. Many are curious about religion and its connection to the community. "They want deep and detailed answers that they can better explain themselves to friends and family," says Mohini.
The Instagram account becomes the occasional agony aunt: One individual from Dehradun didn't understand the posts on binding – a stretchable blouse that Female Transitioning to Male (FTM) transpersons use to flatten breasts. The commenter was afraid about a possible uproar from her conservative clan and judgemental looks from her tailor. "I cautioned her against using crepe bandages, and asked her to tell the tailor that it (the binding blouse) was for a play where she has a male role. This worked out and she was happy," says Mohini, who feels obliged to help anyone who asks.
Even the white, blank spaces on the account have got likes. "I call them safe spaces and want to use the space for conversations on various topics. I want to post confessions and personal stories anonymously," says the voice behind @mohini_ki_almari.
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