The GB Talent Show

I just returned from IIM Ahmedabad where I was invited to speak about the road ahead post Section 377. This was part of the Red Brick Summit that the students and faculty had organised. I was here in India’s most premier institute speaking as an out-and-proud gay man, and thinking about where it all started. 

When my sexuality was playing hide-n-seek with the world, the internet gave me the opportunity to speak out without being “out”. This is the era when forget Facebook being conceived, even orkut hadn’t been born. My window to the outside world was a yahoo group called Gay Bombay. 

Given the privilege of anonymity, thoughts and ideas were discussed with no reservations. The online space made way for several formal and informal meetings. The Gay Bombay group has been having film screenings, parents’ meets, cooking meets and even events to discuss important socio-political events pertaining to the gay community. It was important for people who are peeping out of the closet to get a full view of the “community” through these events. 

The conversations online encouraged people, provided direction, and the on-ground events created real visibility and real-world relationships. They did so and they continue to do so. One of the most important events of Gay Bombay is the ‘Parents and Family’ meet. 

I have been witness to the fact that whenever there is a crisis regarding acceptance by a parent, these parents open their homes and their hearts to listen, counsel and share their viewpoint on their acceptance. 

Previously, there were the same group of parents who would be seen in every parents’ meet but now that is changing. While Gay Bombay ensures that the old voices share their wisdom and knowledge, there are new parents added to the meetings ever year. The group also has been encouraging voices to speak in the media, including me.

For the last four years, they have been organising a flagship event called ‘The GB Talent Show’. I have witnessed this event and have also been a part of one of the plays called Color Positive led by Savio Mascarenhas. The play was about living your life as an HIV positive person. This year, I am performing again in a play called Jeena as part of the GB Talent Show. While I just have a blink-and-miss part, the show promises to be full of majja with dance, music and drama by fellow members in the queer family. There are many straight supporters who would be performing too. 

What used to be a “secret group” has now publicly listed events on Facebook and websites. Just as the group encouraged people like me to come out of the closet, they have come out too.

Toh, Sunday, October 8 ko, I will be at National College at 4.30 pm, for the GB Talent Show, performing in the play Jeena.

Aaneka toh welcome, naahi tar, bheed kam. (LOL. Kidding, okay?) Nakki yaa.

Speak up

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