pride month
Trans queen from Cooch Behar sets eyes on global stage
Hailing from a small district of Bengal, Arshi Ghosh, the winner of Miss Trans Queen India 2023, will represent India at the International Queen pageant in Thailand. She talks about her journey with Village Square.
‘Queer community needs access to housing, health and jobs’
While homosexuality has been decriminalised in India, the LGBTQIA+ community continues to fight for dignity and access to basic amenities. Changing perceptions takes time, says Rajesh Srinivas of Sangama, an organisation working for the cause.
This Odisha trans woman is breaking barriers with ‘pride’
Chhavi, a transgender person from Banmali Prasad village in Odisha, overcame societal barriers with support from a compassionate stranger. Through her self help group, Chhavi and her team now excel in waste management.
Enthralling queer short stories from rural India
We are thrilled to share the winning entries of our Pride Day storytelling competition. These remarkable tales stole the show with their rich tapestry of narratives that exist within diverse communities in rural India.
Breaking barriers with ‘pride’
Chhavi Maa's journey from societal confinement to triumph is testament to resilience. She defied prejudice, embraced her true self, and became a beacon of hope for India's LGBTQIA+ community.
Small-town lesbian couple await same-sex court ruling
Though steeped in ordinariness, Shalu and Mehak have put up an extraordinary fight for the relationship they want to be legitimised.
The tale and telling of queerness in Bengal’s Bhadu songs
When queerness was criminalised in the 19th century, queer-trans people took refuge in the Bhadu folklore that saw them as goddess-incarnates and also gave them visibility.