12 October,2021 08:27 AM IST | Mumbai | Gayathri Chandran
The series dives into topics like HIV interventions for youth and queer safe spaces in conflict zones like Kashmir
Being queer wasn't easy in the 1980s and the 1990s, points out activist Arif Jafar in the latest episode of the podcast series Pride and Prejudice, hosted by reporter Suryatapa Mukherjee. Throughout the 30 minutes of the episode, Jafar and Mukherjee talk about the prejudices that existed over the years and how queer communities have had to adapt to their surroundings. Coming out back in the day, as Jafar points out, was an invitation for trouble, but it gave many the courage to speak their truth, at least to their families. The episode also serves as a kind of tribute to Jafar's friend, historian and queer rights activist Saleem Kidwai, through stories of Kidwai's significance to the queer community at the time, and the importance of queer Muslim activists. This episode was our first taste of the series, which immediately drew us in and hooked us till the end.
This is the ultimate intent of the podcast, we believe. Created with the intention of showcasing diverse queer narratives that are often unexplored by the mainstream media, the series dives into several topics like HIV interventions for queer youth, queer safe spaces in conflict zones like Kashmir, and the history and relevance of pride. So far, simply five episodes in, it's already a well-researched and comprehensive guide to understanding queer communities, their challenges, histories, laws and more. At several intervals throughout the series, the host Mukherjee, breaks down the information and vocabulary used, to make it more accessible to all. We found it hard to pick a favourite from the series, mainly because all episodes showcased important aspects of the queer experience but if we absolutely had to start you off with one, it would be episode two that dives into life as a queer person in Kashmir.
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