Lucknow hosts party for LGBT community every evening

LUCKNOW: The 20 sqft hall was almost full of people. While some were dressed in a sari or lehenga, others wore make up. Lost in a trance of their own, these men danced to the tunes of current Bollywood music -- from ‘Tu Mera Hero’ to ‘Blue Eyes’, YoYo Honey Singh was a hot favourite here.
Every evening, a group of 30 to 50 people gather in a small hall situated at the heart of Lucknow over snacks and a hot cup of tea or coffee. Considered as ice-breaker in Indian culture, the freebies offer them more than just that. These snacks blend them into the atmosphere and also reach out to their hearts.
A small group of LGBTs (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) gather here every evening for a couple of hours to let their hair down. They dance, gossip and discuss issues and leave the societal barriers outside this premises. The place is a haven for them where they can express themselves, as they are not judged here for what they are. Without the barriers of caste, economical status or sexual orientation, the place plays host to everyone who is in search of social acceptance. Weekends are special as around 200 people pour in for dance, gossip, interaction and in search of like-minded people.
Some of them also like to cross-dress besides enjoying an evening of social awareness, discussion on social issues among others. They mostly come here to express themselves; something which is not new to the rich cultural history of Lucknow. “For a culturally rich place like Lucknow, this is not a breaking news. I would love if they actually come out and let the world accept that they also enjoy same rights like any other human being,” says writer Mahendra Bhishma who has written on transgenders.
Noted author and historian, Yogesh Praveen adds that Lucknow was always okay with such practices. “Cross-dressing was majorly encouraged during the time of nawabs. In order to communicate with women, transgenders were appointed as guards. Dressed as women, these people were trusted by the kings to keep their women and children safe,” says Praveen.
At this daily get together -- away from the world where they are constantly called names and treated as misfits -- they give in to their true emotions here. The shy ones simply sit back and soak in the surreal and dynamic atmosphere. For one such participant, Sanjay, the place offers him emotional support. Faced with an emotional turmoil of finding his sexual identity, he came here looking for counselling. Little did he know that this place will become his second home for the rest of the life.
“This place helped me find myself. Earlier, I used to be heckled by my family and society but now I can face the world confidently as I know I have found acceptance here as there are people like me who too are facing similar situation as I am,” Sanjay says. “We are not criminals. All we need is love and respect from our family and friends for being what we are. God made us like this,” he adds. Besides offering a comfort zone, some of them find happiness in just talking to new people and knowing their story. Ajay works as a counselor to the people of the community and provides guidance to those who have either just come out of the closet or are discovering their real identity.
“The social stigma was too much too bear. Hence, I started coming here and within no time, I was at peace with myself. For the first time I started feeling happy, as I didn’t have to pretend anymore,” says Ajay. “Here, we share our sorrows, happiness, and dance till we can move no more. According to me, these couple of hours makes us feel alive. These hours are what we look forward to every single day, because the whole day we pretend to be someone we are not and during this short span of time, we finally let ourselves go,” he adds.
Apart from socializing, the place regularly hosts discussions on HIV/AIDS, safe sex and Article 377 and its implications on the community. With regular visit of resource persons, these people sit for a session of serious discussion apart from just having fun.
The place has been playing host to the community since a long time. Now, it has become an inseparable part of Lucknow culture as people here, especially in the locality, not only accept them as they are but also treat them as one of their own. The neighbours have a coy smile on their face when asked about the gathering. They usually joke around with them, unaware of the fact that there’s an inner battle being fought by everyone present in that 20 sq ft hall.
* Some names are changed to protect identity