BQFF 2014 - your time and other contributions.

BQFF 2014 is coming up - Feb 28th, March 1st and 2nd.

If you would like to donate your time, here http://blrqueerfilmfest.com/volunteer/ you will find information about what we need from our volunteers, and the volunteer registration form. Send it in, and give me a few days to get back to you! Volunteering at BQFF is a great way to meet people and be social, watch movies all day and feel helpful at the same time, and generally be an awesome fun-having person.


If you would like to donate financially to BQFF 2014, please go here: http://blrqueerfilmfest.com/donate/

We are almost entirely community supported, so anything you give us is helpful beyond belief. (If you have any ideas that you think might help, call me at 9611 978 132, or anyone at BQFF: http://blrqueerfilmfest.com/contact-2/


It's been a stressful few months for us all. BQFF is one of our regular annual events, happening come metaphorical rain or shine. If you're not donating, contributing or volunteering, you're still entirely welcome and desired to come and watch the movies, which are always interesting and thought provoking and other virtuous things.

Thoughts on the 377 judgement, collected from Facebook.

This one has been doing the rounds, but I'm stealing it right now from Varta:

Six things you should know after the Supreme Court verdict on Section 377, Indian Penal Code:

a) On December 11, 2013, the Supreme Court reversed the Delhi High Court ruling on Section 377, which means this law is back in force, as it was till before July 2, 2009.

b) Section 377 criminalizes any sexual act that does not involve penile-vaginal penetration. It applies to all people, irrespective of their gender identity or sexual orientation. That means straight people are also affected by this law, and not just those who are homosexual, bisexual or transgender in orientation.
c) Section 377 in itself does not mean that you can be arrested for simply being or saying you are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, Hijra or Kothi. Your freedom of expression is not under threat.
d) Arrest under this law requires medical forensic evidence of specific sexual acts having taken place - oral, anal or other non penile-vaginal sexual acts.
e) You cannot be arrested for being in a declared or undeclared same-sex relationship. Strict material evidence of specific sexual acts will be necessary for arrest.
f) Community, family, workplace or police harassment, blackmail and extortion may take place under threat of Section 377 or even because you appear or are known to be “not straight”. But more than anything else, it is these acts that are illegal and they can be tackled with a dose of courage and sound legal action

If you feel more points need to be elaborated, please do let us know here or at vartablog@gmail.com.

*************************

There are protests, petitions and places where you can say your say all over the place. You don't have to do anything. You could stay at home and rage in quiet, as I have been doing for the past few days. But you might be feeling like taking steps that might help make a difference (which is a nicely optimistic step, for those of us capable of it). 

 You could start here:

(If you're not in Bangalore, the same protest is happening at different cities across India and the world, so look here: 

https://www.facebook.com/events/1374294672825321/?fref=ts)

Or you could call a news agency, and tell them what you think:

Please participate in the Times of India campaign against 377.
1] Call  +9/11 Memorial 80 6700 6443.2] The call will get disconnected.3] You will get an sms :
Thanks for joining the Times Campaign: Repeal the Section 377 IPC provision that criminalises homosexuality. See campaign details on http://zpdi.al/74565419

Or you could sign an online petition:

Love is Not a Crime! Protect Our Right to Equality - #Repeal377

1. 1. 
    
   2. Petition by
      Jhatkaa.org

The Supreme Court has upheld Section 377 which calls for imprisonment of anyone who "voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature". This is an outdated 19th century law that is against freedom of choice, right to equality and right to privacy.

Our constitution protects the “right to equality before the law”, and this judgement does the complete opposite. Such clear discrimination is absolutely unacceptable and we must not tolerate it in our country.

Everyone is affected - this law does not apply only to those of a different sexual orientation - the vague and outdated wording is open to interpretation and violates the right to consensual sex in privacy. If we thousands of Indians speak out, theParliament has power to vote to overturn the Supreme Court.

Sign the petition asking parliament to immediately decriminalise consensual adult same-sex relations.

The Delhi High Court had on July 2, in 2009 decriminalised gay sex as provided in Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code and had ruled that sex between two consenting adults in private would not be an offence. But today the Supreme Court today overturned that order in one quick judgement.

The good news is that many Members of the Parliament have come out saying that the Government should decriminalise homosexuality. If more MPs know that this is something the public cares about, we’ll be able to ensure Section 377 gets amended.

Raise your voice to the government to make sure consensual adult same-sex relations is legal. Please sign now.

To:
Government of India 

Our constitution protects the “right to equality before the law”, and this judgement does the complete opposite. Such clear discrimination is absolutely unacceptable and we must not tolerate it in our country. Please amend section 377 and decriminalise consensual homosexual relations immediately.

Sincerely,
[Your name]

You could party:

I suggest a nice combination of all of the above, plus extra chocolate. 

Some thoughts on 377 and Laws Affecting Queer Women

After Wednesday's ruling, I think it's important to note how Section 377 affects us, as queer women: the law has been interpreted by the judiciary as applying to anal intercourse between two men, and that too requiring proof for any conviction to occur.  In a case from around 2003 (I've forgotten the exact details of which case this was, as there were several similar ones around the same time), two women seeking the right to live together were also charged with S. 377, along with several other charges related to abduction and unlawful confinement.  The judge ultimately ruled in their favour, seeing no reason to prevent two adult women from cohabiting, and dismissed the use of S. 377 on the grounds that two women are incapable of 'sodomy'.  As far as I know, no convictions of queer women have occurred under S. 377, for that reason.

This is not to say that S. 377 does not affect us: police and relatives do not see the law in the same way that courts do, and therefore there is reason to be concerned about police harassment (and possibly arrest).[1]  

Certainly, fewer queer people will be willing to come out about their sexuality, and being a queer person will have that social stigma of being unlawful.  This is why we need to stand in solidarity with the rest of the queer community, and advocate for the removal of regressive laws affecting us, regardless of whether we as individuals would actually be convicted in a court for our desires or our sexual activities.

It's also important to realise that there are other laws that have been used much more commonly to oppress queer women, and to separate couples by force (especially by disapproving families): Section 340 (wrongful confinement), S. 361 (kidnapping), S. 362 (abduction), S. 366 (compelling a woman to marry - this one could actually be used in our favour if there's ever a case that comes up in discussion and people are willing to take it up), S. 368 (concealment/confinement of a kidnapped person), and Habeas Corpus writs, among others.  

We need to voice our concerns about the misuse of all of these laws (because unlike S. 377, they all do have their place for protecting our rights in some sense), and bring up the issues facing queer women in the LGBTHKQI discourse in India.  Otherwise, I don't know that our concerns about these laws will be taken up by the queer community at large.  Had S. 377 been decriminalised Wednesday, I would have been afraid that many people (particularly gay men) would have gone home thinking that everything was fine, that the legal struggle is over now.  Now, we have a chance to take advantage of the solidarity that the queer community has demonstrated after such a regressive ruling.

It's also important to voice our concerns about women in this society generally, because regressive social views are what cause parents to file cases against their adult daughter (or her lover) for going against the family's will.  An adult woman should not have to deal with a Habeas Corpus writ against her, demanding that she be brought before the court and back to her family, regardless of her sexuality.[2]  This is a question of women's rights, not just about our innate desires and our right to express them (definitely that is our concern, but not the only one here).  

Additionally, the only way we're going to change anything is to create more awareness and acceptance in society at large, and to provide a safe and supportive space for all queer women.  

I'd like to see more initiative on the part of WHaQ to reach out to Kannada (and Tamil) speaking women in Bangalore (and the rest of Karnataka for that matter), especially middle and lower class women, because they have no space for support here.[3]  I don't think we've effectively done that (though the space that we have created is definitely important), but we can do more, especially now that WHaQ has a committee (and is working towards becoming a formal organisation, from what I know of the last few meetings).  How many of us, honestly, think that some young woman who is aware of her sexuality and lives in some conservative middle class family in Basavanagudi would come to WHaQ meetings and voice her concerns about family pressure to get married?[4]  It's doubtful, and we need be more supportive.  We should be asking ourselves what we can do.  .  . and ultimately doing something about all of this.

Cases like the recent incident in Madurai and the absolute lack of discussion within the queer community are something we should also speak up about.  When Vamshi Raju committed suicide, there was an immediate crisis meeting at Sangama, a press release, and much discussion in some groups such as Good as You.  When I brought up Radha's suicide, no one in Good as You really discussed anything further, except for suicide generally and what we can do if someone is at risk.  And from what I know of it, none of the groups in Tamil Nadu took up Radha's case either, no press release, nothing.  And this was an instance of a queer woman who had faced abduction charges and a Habeas Corpus writ, who been arrested for running away with her partner, ultimately to be dragged back to her family and the couple separated.  When are we going to take up issues like this?

It is important to stand in solidarity with the rest of the queer community, and I think this quote from Sappho fits quite well:

 I want to say something, but shame prevents me.
Yet if you had a desire for good or beautiful things
and your tongue were not concocting some evil to say
shame would not hold down your eyes
but rather you would speak about what is just.

---

[1] Section 377 has typically been used against gay men, kothis, and hijras from lower economic classes, and of course male sex workers.  Given the nature of the police in this country, it is unfortunately the case that police and the judiciary have differing interpretations of the law, and obviously people are booked under laws that would not result in a conviction.  For instance, if the Hassan case goes to court, it is unlikely that any of them will actually be convicted under Section 377, because the law is clear in that there must be ample proof of penetration.  Relatives could use the illegality of ‘unnatural’ sexual activities to validate their disapproval of queer family members.

[2] Habeas Corpus has long been used as a writ against adult women running away from their families, and the real concern is their use to control women, not only queer women. 

[3] Sangama had a project for queer women and trans men, but this has ended and Sangama seems to be focusing mostly on gay men, kothis, and hijras.  LesBiT has also been present at various times, but currently does not meet regularly, and anyway has no office space or structure.  The example of Sahayatrika in Kerala is the one case of a group for queer women that has had successful outreach in the past to all sections of society.

[4] I’ve used Basavanagudi as an example because I live there and I’ve had enough conversations with my neighbours to know the emphasis on marriage, but any conservative middle class Kannada-speaking area is similar in this regard.  Expectations surrounding marriage do vary somewhat based on class, and there tends to be more freedom for upper class women in this regard.  Again, this brings up matters of a woman’s personal freedoms, not only queer women, but generally speaking.  It’s a question of woman’s control over her body and her life, and her inherent right to marry and love no one if she so wishes. 

Global Day of Rage Bangalore: 15th December 3:30 pm

• event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/264283063718742/ event time: 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm event venue: Town Hall On December 11th, 2013, The Supreme Court of India reinstated the Criminality of Homosexuality in India. This Judgment has inspired anger across different sections of society around the world. While the legal battle continues, it is important that we make our voices heard. Loud and Clear. This Judgment is not about any one community in any one country but about the hegemonic structures that oppress many across the world. It is a blow to the various other sexual minority communities across the world who might have taken strength from the Indian story to challenge laws/social norms/prejudices that criminalise homosexuality in their own countries. It is time we begin to heal this lasting scar of colonialism. It is time we are given the space and freedom to pursue the work of fundamental social change which is made impossible with a law such as Sec. 377 of the Indian Penal Code choking us. Gather your friends, lovers and anyone else who is enraged by this injustice. Make your voices heard. FOR LINK TO OTHER CITIES Global Day of Rage Worldwide www.facebook.com/events/1374294672825321

Bengaluru Pride and Karnataka Queer Habba 2013 needs YOU!

"The Bangalore Pride march will be held on Nov 24th, Sunday.The preceding 20 days will
be filled with Pride related events, such as Flash Mob, Queer My Mudra - aqueer themed choreography, Bowling, Poetry reading, Photography exhibition, Musical Performance, Screening of Queer themed short films, and the Diversity Fair. This year Pride is organised through CSMR (Campaign for Sex Workers &Sexuality Minorities Rights) Which is collective of many LGBTQ groups, allied supporters and individuals. It is Heartening and absolutely awesome to have all the various groups to come together to help organise this event. However, we also need to fund the event, and we are primarily looking at individual and organizational donations. Hence this is a call for all of you, and your friends, and your groups, to generously financially support Bangalore Pride and Karnataka Queer Habba 2013. For Information on how to make a donation contact sam(Shyam) at samuel.konnur@gmail.com (Please mention "Pride" in subject line.)"

Look at this pig. Is she not lovely? Don't you want to feed her?

Gaysi Zine vol.2 Launch!

Urban Solace, 6 pm, 19th October.

With performances by Dolly, Mari, Haider, Not a Number and others!

Book Discussion - Because I Have A Voice

The Bangalore Queer Film Festival 2014 Call for Entries

The 6th Bangalore Queer Film Festival

Call for Entries

Last date for submissions: 15 January 2014

The Bangalore Queer Film Festival is open for submissions for 2014!

 We invite you to send us your short and full-length features, short and long documentaries, animation and experimental films. Please send us your entries and pass this call on to friends, lovers and colleagues who might want to send in theirs.

BQFF 2013 brought us a whole range of some-powerful, some-madcap, some-tear jerking cinematic numbers – a set of highly unusual Indian short films, such as Snarky Baudelaire,Item Number, Lonely Walls and Raat Baaki; exceptionally moving documentaries such asHow to Survive a Plague, Call me Kuchu, In-between Days, Madame and Lesbian Factory; Cary Cronenwett’s archival re-visioning of the Kronstadt Uprising of 1921 in Maggots and Men;  Ira Sachs’ portrayal of love and addiction in Keep the Lights On as our opening night premiere, the lesbian period drama The Night Watch as our centrepiece and Khavn De La Cruz’s fabulously intriguing Mondomanila as our closing night premiere.

Besides the films, the festival included an exhibition of politically engaging artwork by transgender artist Living Smile Vidya, and activist Sylvia Karpagam, as well as the photographs that were a part of the ManiFest drag photo project. Our performers also kept their yearly promise of packing the hall with a wildly applauding audience.

We hope to be able to bring the same kind of film-viewing experience to our ever-growing audiences this coming year as well.

Please submit your films for preview. The final schedule of films will be selected in the second week of February 2014.  (See contact details below to ask for submission forms.) Please note the following suggestions:

Films

We accept films made by directors on themes related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and other queer populations. Films that challenge traditional gender and sex / sexuality notions are welcome.

Genres

Please submit films of any form: Features, Shorts, Documentaries, Animation or Experimental.

Preview copies

Submit preview copies of full films online (through vimeo, youtube etc. or by sending the full film via Dropbox or similar file transfers) or by sending us the DVD copies to our address. Preview copies submitted for selection will not be returned. Copies of all films will be kept with the BQFF Archives.

Format of Final Submission

Final submissions are expected on high-quality DVDs only. Contact the organisers if you require more information or want to use other formats.

Subtitles

Since accents vary even among English language films, all films should preferably have subtitles in English.

Submission/mailing costs

Mailing costs for the submissions have to be borne by the director/producer/distributor. The BQFF cannot, at this juncture, support the costs of receiving copies for preview. Please contact the organisers if you are unable to bear these costs so as to arrange for alternative ways to send your films to us.

Screening Costs

As always the BQFF is a FREE event and no charges are levied on submissions. Additionally, only films that do not charge screening fees will be accepted.

Submission Address

All preview copies should be sent to the following address.

Please write “BQFF 2014” on the cover of your submission.

SWABHAVA

4th Floor, M. S. Plaza

No. 1, 13th ‘A’ Cross

4th Main, Sampangiramnagar

Bangalore – 560 027

Karnataka, India

Phone: +91-80-22230959

Mobile: +91-9844181294

Decision making process

The festival organising committee and the BQFF Preview Committee will preview all films submitted. Directors or producers or the distributors will be contacted immediately on selection of their films and any additional requests for material or publicity may be made at the time. More information about selection of films will be made available soon. Films that have not been selected will be informed separately.

Contact BQFF

For any queries regarding the festival, submission, or any other matter please contact:

Email:             blrqueerfilmfest@gmail.com
Web:               http://blrqueerfilmfest.com

Phone:            +91-80-22230959 (Office) or +91-9844181294 (mobile)

Organisations involved

The Bangalore Queer Film Festival is organised by Good As You (GAY), SWABHAVA Trust, We’re Here and Queer (WHAQ!) and Pirat Dykes. GAY (www.goodasyou.in) is a support group (est. 1994) for LGBT people in Bangalore and is one of the oldest support groups in India. SWABHAVA Trust (est. 1999) is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation working with LGBT issues, including providing access to support services in Bangalore. Both GAY and Swabhava have co-hosted previous queer film festivals in Bangalore. We’re Here and Queer (WHAQ!), is a queer women’s support group (estd. 2009). GAY and WHAQ! regularly organise film screenings at their weekly meetings. Pirat Dykes is a group set up to screen films that do not generally get mainstream releases in India. All the groups are non-funded and depend on community donations to function.

QRadio with Radiowallah.in: Mari Eva, Romal Singh and more.

Long story short, since it's late and I am lazy: Radiowallah is an internet radio station, and it has several channels. The one we're interested in is QRadio.

QRadio, India's first radio channel, is a space that celebrates your gender indentity (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender, Gender queers, Allies and the Heterosexuals to) through shows where you can talk about the serious (society, acceptance, parents, rules, laws, policies, abuse) and the fun stuff (dating, sex, fashion, food). 

One of the shows is run by Romal Singh:

Another one starts tomorrow, hosted by WhaQ's founder and general lovely, Mari Eva.

QRadio is launching a brand new show all about Queer women starting TOMORROW!!!  Would be great if you all call in and give me support: I'm gonna host it!  We all know this is just about the perfect job for me, like, in EVER. ;)
It'll be from 12-2pm Thursdays and Saturdays. I'd love to have you on as guests on the show talking about everything that is feminine, queer, trans, les and bi as a woman in India today...we can be anonymous if you want, but we really want to hear from you! 
So please do call in and say hello on air! The number to call is 080 415 28 333. I'd LOVE to hear from you!

Mari's first guest will be Antara Pal, a Bangalore/Hyderabad DJ and general awesome person. Tune in tomorrow at twelve!

Bangalore Queer Pride 2012 schedule

website: http://bengalurupride.herokuapp.com/
email: blrpride@gmail.com

Contact us to volunteer, donate, or for more details!

Thursday, November 22

6:30pm

 Transgender Remembrance Day

When Thu, November 22, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Where Town Hall

Description There will be a candlelight vigil to commemorate our lost and loved ones from the trans communities.
http://bengalurupride.herokuapp.com/?p=132

Friday, November 23

5:00pm

 TABOO photography exhibit launch

When Fri, November 23, 5pm – 6pm

Where No. 1 Shanthi Road, Shantinagar, Bangalore 560027 (map)

Description Six photography projects on the theme of TABOO - http://bengalurupride.herokuapp.com/?p=77

7:00pm

 Ek Madhav Baag (Hindi)

When  Fri, November 23, 7pm – 8pm

Where Jaaga, No 68, KH Double Road, Opposite Corporation Bank, Next to KH Road bus stand, Banglore 560027 (map)

Description This poignant play tells the story of a 21 year old youth coming to terms with his sexuality. The play is seen from the view point of his mother. http://bengalurupride.herokuapp.com/?p=137

Saturday, November 24

11:00am

 Garage Sale!

When Sat, November 24, 11am – 6pm

Where Alternative Law Forum, 122/4 Infantry Road (opposite Infantry Wedding House) Bangalore 560001 (nearest bus stop- Shivajinagar Depot) (map)

Description Reduce, reuse, recycle, and when all else fails, send it to your local fundraising garage sale for Bengaluru Pride and Karnataka Queer Habba 2012! http://bengalurupride.herokuapp.com/?p=127

Sunday, November 25

12:00pm

 Pride Mela at Jaaga

When Sun, November 25, 12pm – 7pm

Where Jaaga, No 68, KH Double Road, Opposite Corporation Bank, Next to KH Road bus stand, Banglore 560027 (map)

Description The Bangalore Queer Pride is proud to present to you the 2012 Pride Mela. This year we are coming back more colourful, louder and awesomer than ever! http://bengalurupride.herokuapp.com/?p=88

Monday, November 26
5:00pm

 Posters/Accessory Making Workshop at ALF

When Mon, November 26, 5pm – 7pm

Where Alternative Law Forum, 122/4 Infantry Road (opposite Infantry Wedding House) Bangalore 560001 (nearest bus stop- Shivajinagar Depot) (map)

Description Come to ALF to make posters and prideful accessories we can display during Bangalore Queer Pride March 2012!

Tuesday, November 27
6:00pm

 Theaters of the Body Workshop

When Tue, November 27, 6pm – 10pm

Where Jaaga, No 68, KH Double Road, Opposite Corporation Bank, Next to KH Road bus stand, Banglore 560027 (map)

Description Attend this theater workshop with Kareem Khubchandani. http://bengalurupride.herokuapp.com/?p=154

Wednesday, November 28

6:00pm

 Karnataka Police Act Panel Discussion and Performance

When Wed, November 28, 6pm – 8pm

Where Vishranti Nilayam, 18, CSI Womens House, Infantry Road, Infantry Road, (near The Hindu office) Bangalore, Karnataka 560001 (map)
Description We will dramatize the many oppressions faced by transgenders, and the additional oppression generated by KPA 36 (A), following which we will moderate a discussion with the audience on the way forward to combat this policy and the political system around us.
http://bengalurupride.herokuapp.com/?p=309

Thursday, November 29
7:00pm

 Posters/Accessory Making Workshop at Swabhava

When Thu, November 29, 7pm – 9pm

Where Swabhava, 4th Floor, M. S. Plaza, 13th “A” Cross, 4th Main, Sampangiramnagar, Bangalore 560027 (map)

DescriptionCome to the Swabhava center and help make posters we can carry and display during Pride March 2012!

Friday, November 30
6:00pm

 Biryani

When Fri, November 30, 6pm – 7pm

Where No. 1 Shanthi Road, Shantinagar, Bangalore 560027 (map)

Description Performance piece by our mangalamukhi sister, where she prepares delicious Biryani while engaging the audience with a monologue about life as a transgender. Join us for this multi-sensory performance piece.
http://bengalurupride.herokuapp.com/?p=311

7:30pm

 Diversity Kooth Night!

When Fri, November 30, 7:30pm – 11:30pm

Where Tango Calypso restaurants, # 44, Richmond Road, Bangalore, India 560025 (map)

Description Entry fee + Cover charge = Rs 150 + Rs 150 (profits will go towards the Bengaluru Pride 2012 fund)
http://bengalurupride.herokuapp.com/?p=258

Saturday, December 1
5:00pm

 Queer Words at Atta Galatta

When Sat, December 1, 5pm – 8pm

Where Atta Galatta, 75, 2nd Main Rd, Koramangala 1st Block, Bangalore, 560096 (map)

Description We invite poets, comedians, singers, writers to share their work in this open–mic format.
http://bengalurupride.herokuapp.com/?p=31

7:30pm

 Lavender Nights V

When Sat, December 1, 7:30pm – 11:30pm

Where Fireflies (Lavelle Road and Vital Mallya Road Junction, above Cafe Coffee Day) (map)

Description Lavender Nights is going to rock Bangalore once again with its FIFTH All Women Party at FIREFLIES, one of the most lovely venues in Bangalore, with a great central location for everyone’s convenience.
 http://bengalurupride.herokuapp.com/?p=265

Sunday, December 2

2:00pm

 Bengaluru Queer Pride March!

When Sun, December 2, 2pm – 5pm

Where Tulsi Park to Town Hall. Wear your walking boots!  (map)

Description Come march with us!
http://bengalurupride.herokuapp.com/?p=5