“TREASURED TALES OF TOPS BOTTOMS AND VERSATILES” ( The sensitive side of the Indian gay) Is a self published book on the emotional and social issues of the Indian gays which is not porn or erotica but a research based must read for gays to develop self awareness, self management and confidence building skills.

ISBN-978-93-81205-28-0 .

Price-Rs.600/.

Contact for Buy: Rasheed: +91-9985762700 or ahmedrasheed75@yahoo.com

Celina re-launches India's first registered Gay magazine called 'Bombay Dost'

Gorgeous Celina Jaitly, who has always vociferously campaigned for the rights of the gay community, once again proved her commitment towards this cause when she re-launched India's first registered Gay magazine called 'Bombay Dost' at Oxford Bookstore, Churchgate last evening.

The host of the evening, Vivek Raj Anand (CEO of Humsafar Trust) spoke about how it was an overwhelming moment for the entire community as the defunct magazine was being re-launched in a bigger and bolder avatar after 7 long years. He also thanked Celina for being one of those rare angels who has always been ready to openly embrace the community's issues and help them in every possible way.

The founding editor Ashok Row Kavi spoke about how the magazine had people from every strata of the society relating to it and how they had responses from as far as Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Celina herself passionately spoke about not considering this as a charitable act. She elaborated on how this is a human right for every individual and made it clear that gays deserved not just acceptance but also the love and compassion of everyone. She even generously volunteered to help the trust with her own finances until they could find more sponsors.

The event came to a close after Celina and the other guests interacted with the media.

DARPAN, January - March 2000 
The Lesbigay Mirror to the World

DARPAN, meaning 'Aaina' is the Gay Mirror to the World, at least where Delhi is concerned. This is the only Gay Publication in the capital and is a great effort to encompass all things quintessentially GAY in Delhi, in the printed form. It's available at the People Tree Bookshop (Delhi's alternative Book Store), 8 Regal Building, Connaught Place, New Delhi 110 001 and also at the NAZ offices located at D-45, Gulmohar Park, New Delhi. The new, current issue is available there (January 2000).  Suggested donation is Rs. 40 though any extra contributions will be welcome and will be well utilised. 

Email: darpanmail@excite.com

INSIDE DARPAN

On opening the 24 page issue, on is confronted with a pleasant gray and black layout which makes for easy reading. The editor's note is well written, highlighting the Gay issues that need to be addressed, Fag Gag is a great piece which had me in splits with it's sarcastic sense of humour though the Net Watch page nearly caused an epileptic fit; for God's sake, they had the Gay Delhi website address WRONG! Absolutely unpardonable!

The article on Elton John and also the fashion report were, unfortunately, disappointing. They seemed to be taken straight from some firangi magazine and planted in Darpan just to fill the pages. This is supposed to be a Delhi/India gay magazine so let's concentrate on articles which deal with us, please.

Gay Literature was thoughtful and informative, giving reviews of Gay and Lesbian Writings by self identified Gay men; the issue paper highlighted the Mamta/Monalisa suicides in Orissa but the Sex, Saran and Videotape article was unnecessary...it's been done to death in all the national press and to read yet another interview with the filmmaker is definitely pushing it. The subheading in the International Gay Tribune page, entitled, 'Media Saran' would have sufficed instead of the two page article on the movie, 'Summer in my Veins'.

Ports of Support, giving detailed listing of all the Gay/Bi/Lesbian organisations in India is an excellent resource page and Judicial Aids and Safe Play are well written articles providing much needed information.

In conclusion, one has to say that it is a fantastic effort by a dedicated team of people and the magazine is definitely worth buying. 

I end this review by quoting Darpan on Darpan, "It has been called the single most irregular magazine. And unfortunately, we agree. All that we can say or do at this time, is take a pledge. We will be out every quarter of every year for all time to come, so help us Lord. Amen!"

While the pressure for gay men marry is a universal one, the weight of that pressure in india, where tradition is so deeply entrenched, disobeying the wishes of your parents-even if you are an adult-is akin to revolution.
Above: Though most Gay men and Lesbians keep low profiles, several came out for this 1998 issue of Tetu Magazine but the article is in French and magazine was only distributed in France.