Review of The Amazing Q Hunt by one of the podium finishers

“Barbie prince calls you to the Garden of Cypress”. That was the first clue of the Amazing Q Hunt organized by Shushil & team as part of pride festivities. The hunt was simply amazing. Out in the sun after a long time, we did crack interesting clues like first one. We ran, made cow dung cakes, discovered new localities, conversed with several unknown faces, had neem/karela juices, joy ride in sea, found interesting straws and glasses (oh chilled glasses, we almost lost the hunt ), photographed ourselves with missing horse, landmark art galleries, libraries. The best part was selling balloons to three different set of persons. My favourite was last couple to whom I explained pride festivities, expected pride march, meaning of lgbt & ‘Q’ in Q hunt while selling two balloons. Oh man I did it! first pride selling:). Then we were sent to ‘ashes of dreams’ to calculate our savings. Finally we reached last destination & were offered hot green chillies. Dear organizers, chillies were much better than dhoklas you

made us to eat in the morning . Yep we had a rocking time. Q Adda plz dont

wait for pride festivities for this amazing hunt. At least you may think of making it a

quarterly feature. It was a memorable hunt, hunted lovely friends, bonded well with competitors. Sushil, Aryan, Nitin, Arjun, Ankit, mihir and team! Keep it up. We thoroughly enjoyed. Congrats to winners, but yeah next time clear the podium for us….

Key takeaways

1.) Do not be farsighted look for things, places and of course love nearby.

2)When caught in a `No’ Zone, fake that you are from Dubai! No, not to police but ever willing businessmen/sellers or tell them how u may miss ur next flight

3) When there is need to beat long queue, emote how ur love was left inside without mobile .

4) And yeah start running, or you may have already lost….

For further details on the QAM Pride March or any of the Events please contact

Harrish Iyer : +91-9833100340

Praful Baweja : +91-9870213831

Sibi Mathen : +91-9867397744

Q’nema – Queer Film festival – January 30 and 31 at IIT Bombay, Powai

Saathi, the LGBTQ resource group of IIT Bombay in association with Queer Azaadi Mumbai (QAM) and KASHISH Mumbai International Queer film festival is hosting Q’nema 2013 at IIT Bombay, Powai.

This year, Q’nema will be a two day fare showcasing Queer film culture worldwide. It will feature award winning films from the 3rd edition of KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival. In attendance, we also have a few surprise guests!

Date & Time: 30 Jan 2013 and 31 Jan 2013 (2 days) – 6PM to 10PM

Full address of the Venue:
PC Saxena Auditorium
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Powai, Mumbai – 400076

Kindly carry a Government/Employee issue Identity Card with you to gain entry into the campus.

All are invited!

Online Fundraising for Mumbai Pride Parade

2013 is the right time to fight against gender & sexuality discrimination. 

Like every year, in less than 30 days now – on 2nd February, Queer Azaadi aka QAM Mumbai would do Mumbai Pride Parade on the streets & before that organise Pride week events across our city with the intention of creating heightened awareness for Equality

Of course, we will have a lot of majja-masti all throughout with Rock Concert, Dirty talk, Q – hunt, Dancing Queens, Ek madhavbaug, Bar Night & much more. 

For all this, WE NEED MONEY. We have gathered only half the sum till now. So, please lighten your purse & Your Wallets. Maybe its time to remove your much loved credit card out.  

humaari maddad karo!

http://gaysifamily.com/2012/12/15/queer-azadi-mumbai-qam-2013-time-to-show-you-care/

Ek Madhav Baug at Prithvi Theatre, Juhu, 9pm show on 15th and 16th January

Alternate Initiatives presents “Ek Madhav Baug,” a Hindi play by the late celebrated playwright Chetan Datar. “Ek Madhav Baug” is a pioneering play about homosexuality and acceptance of the gay community. A 70-minute soliloquy, it has been translated into Hindi by Mona Ambegaonkar and Vivek Anand, and is enacted by Mona Ambegaonkar.

This poignant play tells the story of a 21 year-old youth coming to terms with his sexuality. The play is seen from the point of view of his mother who discovers that her son is gay and through his diary, relives his journey of discovery of his own sexuality.

Ticketed Performance at Prithvi Theatre, 20 Janki Kutir Juhu on January 15th and 16th at 9pm. The play will be presented in Hindi.

Show Timings- 9pm
Ticket price:- Rs 125/-
Box Office no for Prithvi: +91 (22) 26149546
For online booking click below

http://in.bookmyshow.com/plays/Ek-Madhav-Baug-Hindi/ET00010685

(click on timings next to show)

QUEER AZAADI MUMBAI PRIDE FESTIVITIES 2013

13-JAN-13 SUNDAY 

GBs Kite Flying 
Juhu Beach. the lane next to the Tulip Star Hotel (the old Juhu Centaur). 
The lane runs between the hotel and the Janki Kuntir colony 
3:30pm

http://www.facebook.com/events/327297340716211/

Yaariyans Queer Games
Juhu Beach. the lane next to the Tulip Star Hotel (the old Juhu Centaur). 
The lane runs between the hotel and the Janki Kuntir colony 
4pm

http://www.facebook.com/events/369323616497364/

15-JAN-13 TUESDAY

Ek Madhav Baug
Prithvi Theatre, 20 Janki Kutir Juhu Church Road, Mumbai
9pm

http://www.facebook.com/events/398271370259000/

16-Jan-13 Wednesday

Ek Madhav Baug
Prithvi Theatre, 20 Janki Kutir Juhu Church Road, Mumbai
9pm

http://www.facebook.com/events/398271370259000/

20-Jan-13 Sunday

Gay Bombays Family Meet
Karma lounge, Opera house, Grant Road
3 to 7pm

http://www.facebook.com/events/325829244189915/

26-Jan-13 Saturday

The Q-Hunt
All over Mumbai
8am to 5pm

http://www.facebook.com/events/154171491397901/

27-Jan-13 Sunday

Dirty Talk 3.0
Apicius – Kitchen & Bar, 8th Floor, Blue Wave, Off Link Road, Andheri Lokhandwala, Mumbai. 
Tel No. 022 26734338, 022 26734337
5pm

http://www.facebook.com/events/340064176101770/

28-Jan-13 Monday

Pictures Against Prejudice
Bombay Connect Conference Room, The Hub, 4th Floor, Candelar Building, 26 St John Baptist Road, Near Mount Mary Steps, Bandra (W)
11am to 8pm

http://www.facebook.com/events/109150912594472/

29-Jan-13 Tuesday

Pictures Against Prejudice
Bombay Connect Conference Room, The Hub, 4th Floor, Candelar Building, 26 St John Baptist Road, Near Mount Mary Steps, Bandra (W)
11am to 8pm

http://www.facebook.com/events/109150912594472/

Q-Bar Night
The Little Door, Andheri West

30-Jan-13 Wednesday

Q’NEMA
IIT Bombay, Powai
6pm to 10pm

http://www.facebook.com/events/269991709796511/

31-Jan-13 Thursday

Q’NEMA
IIT Bombay, Powai
6pm to 10pm

http://www.facebook.com/events/269991709796511/

1-Feb-13 Friday

Queer Rock Concert
Carter Road Amphitheatre, Bandra (w)
6 to 9pm

http://www.facebook.com/events/492108840840668/

2-Feb-13 Saturday

Queer Kreeda
August Kranti Maidan, Grant Road
12pm to 2pm

http://www.facebook.com/events/216446895158642/

QUEER AZAADI MARCH
August Kranti Maidan, Grant Road
2pm

http://www.facebook.com/events/123754891125525/

*Flashmob- Surprise! 

India’s 10 day Galaata Against Uganda’s Kill Gay Bill!

On this World AIDS day 1st December 2012, the sexual minority groups in Mumbai under the aegis of Queer Azaadi Mumbai (QAM) protest the plight of our fellow community members in Uganda, now facing an imminent legislation where death sentences and life imprisonment are being contemplated by their Parliament.

The Indian LGBT communities condemn the government of Uganda and urge it to follow the directions of the UN Charter on Human Rights where LGBT citizens of a country must be treated equally without discrimination and freedom to follow their right to happiness. The Indian sexual minority communities urge the Ugandan government not to come under pressure from fundamentalist groups andlegislate discrimination against helpless and voiceless communities which only wish to exist in peace as a fundamental right.

The current HIV prevalence in Uganda is estimated at 6.5 percent among adults and 0.7 percent among children. HIV prevalence is higher in urban areas (10 percent) than rural areas (6 percent). An estimated 43 percent of new infections occur among people engaged in “mutually monogamous” heterosexual relationships. (ref: http://www.avert.org/)

Women are disproportionately affected, accounting for 57 percent of all adults living with HIV.

The number of new infections (an estimated 120,000 in 2009) exceeds the number of annual AIDS deaths (64,000 in 2009), and it is feared HIV prevalence in Uganda may be rising again.

In spite of the above statistics the Ugandan Government is pushing to implement an Anti –Gay bill that will only drive an already stigmatized population underground. In fact gay men find no mention in Uganda’s strategy for HIV prevention.

This will create fear of access to services and absence of health seeking behaviour amongst gay men and increase the HIV prevalence amongst them in a country where already there are one million people living with HIV.

QAM urges the Government of India and its Parliament to protest against the move by Ugandan Government to criminalize same-sex behaviour with all its other implications.

As an Indian community that is affected by similar Common Wealth Laws, we hope that the Indian Government continues to end discrimination against its LGBTI communities. We hope that the verdict in section 377 case be announced and positive steps to end the stigma and discrimination in India are followed.

QAM will meet on 1st December 2012 at The Humsafar Trust to be a part of the World AIDS day activity as well as participate in an HIV/AIDS march on 4th December 2012 to highlight the issue of discriminating laws and policies that devastate LGBTI communities in Uganda.

In view of the developments in Uganda and the health and human rights issues that it would raise, we have decided to protest from AIDS day to Human Rights day and our protest would be called

“India’s 10 day Galaata Against Uganda’s Kill Gay Bill”

‘Queer’ stands for all LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex) as well as for Hijra, Kothi, Panthi individuals. This is a sexual minority group not accepted by Indian society that recognises only two genders and considers only heterosexual relationships valid. Queer Azaadi March(QAM) is an expression, a voice, a celebration and a platform to ask for equal rights of these individuals conducted in form of an annual parade in Mumbai. QAM also advocates for LGBTI equality through media, new age media and more importantly in real spaces.

Contact:
Pallav Patankar: 9619012251
Harish Iyer : 9833100340

Please find a PDF copy of this press release here.

Mumbai Pride March on February 2, 2013

It’s official now!

Mumbai Pride March on February 2, 2013

Please mark your calendar and plan your holidays in advance.
Pride week flags off on January 26, 2013! Planning begins now. Do take part in planning and organizing the event and attend pride planning meetings.

Watch this space for updates. To receive email updates, hit the follow button on the sidebar.

.Photograph courtesy : Sachin Jain

Yaariyan’s Q-Fete aka Gulaabi Mela – A QAM Fundraiser on 02 Dec 12

Yaariyan’s  Q-fete or Gulabi Mela, an Unique Event which will be a Fundraiser for Mumbai Pride! Come join us with you friends to experience food, drinks, games, tarot reading, Queer Books, awesome accessory stalls, exotic underwear, along with makeovers, workshops, DJ and a dance floor! Everything you can imagine and more!

Where : MoonGlow Lounge, above Gloria Jean’s Coffee, Juhu (Next to Prithvi Theatre) (You  need to take the spiral staircase on the left side of Gloria Jean’s)

When : SUNDAY, 2nd December 2012, 2pm-9pm

How much : Rs. 30/- (Yes, just THIRTY) uptil 5pm
Rs. 50 after 5pm to enter the first and only all day party and fair yet and all of this goes to QAM so show up in huge numbers.

WorkShops:

3:30pm – Face Reading and Numerology workshop

4:30pm – Street Jazz workshop

5:30pm – Live Musical Performance

6pm – War of Go-Go Boys!

6:30 pm onwards : Gossip’d DJ Nik will set the dancefloor on Fire!

Note :
1.You have to be 18 years old or above to attend this event.
2.Alcohol will only be served to those over 21years of age.
3.Smoking is not permitted on the premise.
4.Drugs and other illegal substances are strictly prohibited.
5.Outside Food and Drinks are not allowed.

to connect to the facebook event CLICK HERE

Yaariyan’s Pink Mumbai Darshan (fundraiser)

In an era of internet dating, we have forgotten the good old days of cruising and the infamous hotspots of Mumbai, it’s time for us to rediscover that almost forgotten heritage with people who lived through those heydays of non internet cruising spots. We bring you this time a one of a kind – never done before – Queer Mumbai Darshan.We invite you to join us aboard our Yaariyan tour bus as we take you through a unique experience through space and time and tell you about the pink pages out of Mumbai’s history books; while we visit important cruising, social and cultural spaces of the city. Time : 3pm onward on Sunday 4th November 2012 Place : The Humsafar Drop in Centre, 3rd Floor, Manthan Plaza, Vakola Market, Mumbai. Note : Pre-registration is essential to guarantee a seat on the bus (Call Kam 9768965825 to Register) Cost : Rs. 200 (includes transport, food and drinks) and all the it goes towards Mumbai Pride Walk 2013 We begin at 3 at the Humsafar Office at Vakola, where we have some yummy h’orderves and Mocktails to build up strength for the journey ahead while we give you a brief introduction of the tour and of the Mumbai Gay scene before the Internet age and how queer organizations and spaces came about. Then we climb the Yaariyan tour bus and drive through the city stopping at various special queer spaces. A few of the highlights of the tour is going to the famous and infamous Maheshwari garden. Which on Sundays turns into a social spaces for gay men. We also, walk past VooDoos touted to have been Mumbai’s first and only club that catered to gay men. And we end it all at Gokul Bar over food and drinks, the watering hole at Colaba which used to be a regular haunt for many a gay man in the early years. Contribution: The contribution for this event is a mere Rs. 200 per head, ALL of which will be forwarded to the Queer Azaadi March – Mumbai. Please call or SMS and tell us if you would like to attend in advance so that we can block a seat for you Kam 9768965825 So dont miss this amazing opportunity to check out the gay sights and sounds of the city of Mumbai FB EVENT