Priya Ganoo
talks to Nitin Karani, the editor of Bombay Dost and prominent gay rights activist from Mumbai, on the struggles he went through and why the cause of gay rights remains dear to him.
Nitin Karani with Priya Ganoo at the Queer Azadi March
For someone who holds a place of such prominence in the Indian gay community, he possesses a rather cool and quite demeanor – something that took me by surprise when I spoke to him for the first time a few months ago.
The person in question is Nitin Karani who has been relentlessly battling for the cause of the queer community ever since he came out almost a decade and a half ago. “I came out around 1993-94 when the atmosphere was very different from what it is today. The new media hadn’t developed so much and misconceptions about homosexuals were rampant.”
He met Ashok Row Kavi – one of the pioneers of the gay movement in the country through a friend in late 1993 and this would be the start of not only a great friendship but almost a life changing alliance for Nitin. Through Kavi, he became a part of the Bombay Dost magazine when it was launched for the first time way back in the early 90’s. “Ashok has been an inspiration and a very close friend through the years. He was a great support with his protective and nurturing nature when I was coming out. Most people fondly call him Amma for his nurturing ways.” he says with a smile.
In today’s times with the advent of internet and social networking, add to which a powerful and often sympathetic media the fight for gay rights does seem marginally easier. But public figures like Baba Ramdev calling homosexuality a disease often dictate the minds of a large section of the society into feeling likewise. “The situation is much better today. More people are aware that being gay is not a disease or a condition.” He agrees. “However, it is important to understand that having a friend coming out to you is very different from having a family member doing the same because then it’s in your own backyard.”
After the media coverage of the repealing of Section 377, the homosexuality debate has finally made its way to a dinner table in normal Indian households. “This topic has been shoved under the carpet for way too long. It’s finally out of the closet and there is no way it’s going to be pushed back in.” asserts the Humsafar trustee.
Nitin’s association with The Humsafar Trust goes back a long way. A Communications and Journalism graduate from St.Xavier’s college he was always more involved with Bombay Dost. A few years back though he was offered a seat as a trustee at Humsafar which he readily took up. “My role at Humsafar is a lot more decision oriented now. I have seen it flourish over the last few years and the journey has been fantastic.” he says.
The lack of gay icons in India has been a major hurdle for the queer movement and Nitin has always emphasized on the same. “It’s understandable that coming out is a very difficult task for sportspersons especially the ones in team sports. On the other hand if you belong to something like the film industry which is already so accepting and open-minded, it wouldn’t be that big a deal to come out. That’s the least you can do for yourself and your community.”
One of the main organizers of the Queer Azadi March which saw more than a thousand people walk for the gay cause, Nitin was satisfied with the response but felt that last year’s QAM had a lot more energy than this one. “Maybe I was in that part of the parade which was a little down-tempo. But the oomph and energy at last year’s parade just seemed a lot more.”
Coming out is easier today but the road can still be very tough for some. Nitin has come across suicides by adolescent teenage boys and also cases where families force the children to go through ‘therapy’ for becoming straight. “Coming out may be a difficult task but is a very important step. If nothing just tell a loved one or your friends and that too makes a lot of difference.”
A few questions about ‘why not a straight parade’ were heard and Nitin answers with a perfect punch for an answer. “Heterosexual couples flaunt their sexuality everywhere and they are free to do all the time. The parade is not just a way to feel proud about who we are but also send out a message to others stuck in the closet that we are with you.”
This is another reason why he has been championing the cause of gay people all these years. “I could have spent all my time and energy doing other things but I would rather not. Simply because society needs to change its perception about our community and this is my way of helping our common cause.”
Hi all wanted to introduce myself!! I look forward to being part of this comunity.
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hi….
i do not understand one thing here…. if we agree , heart to heart , that the way we r ,is not a matter of choice, but its our “natural” orientation, why do we ourselves accept that we b called “queer” …the dictionary meaning of which is “odd / strange” & it goes ahead to state “disapproving (of a man) homosexual”
As a crusader, it will be gr8 of Nitin to take up the issue with oxford & other forums the world over to stop associating the word “queer” with homosexuals/ homosexuality… i wud like to b kept posted if any progress takes place… the fervour in the QAM was missing this year probably because we r ourselves calling us as queer….which is so funny…if u try to assimilate , that r ourselves creating a barrier arround us….just like the word “harijan” done more harm to the society than good…even after 63 years of independence & supposedly advanced,barrier breaking benevolance,has done to guys who had been helping us in the menial odd jobs….& hs never been allowed to mingle with the mainstream population….
similarly just by mere 2 words…straight & queer , much harm hs already bn done to the community….lets beleive our sexuality as something that has come naturally to a person “hetero” or “homo”
……..we r all just the same human being with our different preferances…so where is the hassle…consensuous relationship amongst 2 persons of either type of orientation being lega is ok !!