Aarzoo's Thoughts: Queer and COVID

Aarzoo as the name implies, means 'desire' but, if one was to think of what its meaning would be during this lock down period, then it only brings forward a state of flux of our emotions. Aarzoo's existence as a matchmaking platform for the LGBTQIA+ community with a commitment of providing counselling and a parent support group in the present times is a reminder to the people out there ,that we shouldn't be oblivious of the mere existence of the community.

The thought which comes to our mind is, "Are we emotionally available to look for a partner during this difficult time, where we're more perturbed about our livelihood and survival?". Since there are basic economic necessities of life which taking precedence over everything else, we shouldn't forget that for the members of the community the yearning to be accepted and heard are as basic a need. Isn't it the same flow of emotions we all feel irrespective of our gender and sexual orientation? The kind of social awkwardness we are experiencing during this time is what the members of the community have felt since their existence. It's unimaginable to understand the kind of discrimination and humiliation faced by individuals of the community only for their acceptance and existence.

Their lives are full of struggle for social acceptance therefore they end up creating a fence around them. Put yourselves in their shoes and you will see how they are scrutinized at every step; there is always a lack of trust and respect. In India, there are a lot of people staying with their families who have not accepted their orientation but, due to financial constraints and the current economic state, they have no choice but to share the same roof. The entire experience can be very emotionally exhausting. The first struggle starts from surviving with your loved ones before the battle even starts with the rest of the world. Hence, mental health takes a back seat.

When we talk of transgenders, we wonder how much the general public has thought about their method of survival during this economic lull. We're used to seeing them at the traffic signals or around market areas begging, where there mere existence makes everyone twitch as if they were a curse to the human race and, in spite of their significant presence in Indian mythology, we have not been able to give them that degree of acceptance. This makes us wonder, have we even grown as humans, if something as simple as acceptance is so difficult give? Sex work and begging is all they had been left with as options to survive. And we possibly can't imagine their plight during this COVID time. Has anyone thought of creating an alternative livelihood option for them? Probably not.

Due to the lack of acceptance over the years, people from the LGBTQIA+ community doubt whether the rest of the world would be able to empathize with their situation, with the same intensity. Love has no gender and being human has nothing to do with your sexuality. To feel the pain and desires of another individual you don't need to belong to their world but just be sensitive enough while keeping others self respect and pride in check.

With this pride month ,we start another year of aspirations, hope, acceptance and pride in ones being while making the world open up its eyes and hearts to natures' own creations.