Arunachal Pradesh conducts queer meet at Sango Village

ITANAGAR: To keep the momentum of queer movement going in Arunachal Pradesh, AP Queer station conducted its fifth queer meet on Sunday at Sango Village, where they conversed about important topics starting from the theme 'True LGBTQIA+ allyship' to discussing many sensitive topics like social stigma, taboo and inequality faced by the queer community in the state. The meet was attended by over 100 queers as well as allies who participated in activities like poetry sessions, dance, storytelling sessions, and much more. The event unfolded with a speech by queer activists Sawang Wangchha, followed by a speech on 'True LGBTQIA+ Allyship' by Tomo Habung and two technical sessions on 'mental health issues' and 'legal rights & protection' of the community members conducted by psychologist Yuma Narah and by advocate Ebo Mili respectively.

The event was graced by noted writer and academician from Rajiv Gandhi University Dr Jamuna Bini, who shared her thoughts and expressed her love and support for the LGBTQIA+ community of the state. Dr Bini also informed the participants about the existence of queer people in olden times by speaking about the stories and references of queer characters available in Indian history as well as Indian mythology. She also shared the story of one queer person she knows who had to face all kinds of mocking, bullying and harassment all his life.

The meeting included a story-sharing session in which one of the members of Arunchal Pradesh Queerstation namely Lo Nalo identified himself as a trans man, narrated the story of his coming out to his family and the struggles he faced in daily life because of his gender identity, gender expression and sexuality. In the poetry session, members of Arunachal Pradesh Literary Society (APLS) also participated where poets like Chasoom Bosai and Wanggo Socia read out poetries dedicated to the LGBTQIA+ people of the state. The programme concluded by conducting a fashion show where members of the AP Queer station as well as the allies who participated in the meet walked the ramp.