more-in In a first, the Kochi Metro Rail has employed 23 transpeople on its rolls. The fact, when made public at its recent inauguration, received loud cheers. For a State that has sporadically had and has its tryst with social ostracism, gender inequality, rich-poor divide, this marks a triumphant moment of presenting its inclusive and progressive social side. A poetry meet of the LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex and Asexual+) in the city tomorrow, Choqath (meaning doorstep) at Ledhi Art Gallery, only reaffirms the growing acceptance of an arm of humanity long shunted out of mainstream. Can we really thread a new garland with these putrid and scarred flowers?/ Will we ever revive the love we’ve forgotten by simply tying newer knots? writes gay activist R?mal L?isram in a poem, Cursed Love, which he will be reciting at the meet. Another first in the changing scenario is the opening of a permanent space, an office of Queerala, Kerala’s online LGBTQ community, at Palarivattom. “From our perspective we are still invisible — secret groups, closed groups with 300-400 members. We do not have a meeting place. People travel from far off places to disclose their most private secret to us; an office was necessary,” says Jijo Kuriakose, who founded Queerala four years ago. It simultaneously speaks of the road ahead when he says that the rented place will not have a display board, as requested by the lessor. Vihaan Peethambar, another board member and a transman says, “It is always more credible to have a registered organisation. All our nine board members are out and in the open. We wanted a quiet place in a residential area to hold counselling sessions with children and parents coming to terms with their identities.” Currently pursuing her PG in Sonepat, Rajashree Raju, from Thiruvanathapuram, has interacted with many people in Kerala who have faced discrimination, the unkindest being forced into seeing sexologists to cure their orientation. The counselling sessions will be of great help to parents and people who see queer orientation as disease or unnatural, she believes strongly. “In Kerala there are sexologists who offer cure for homosexuality. This makes people believe that this is unnatural. Therefore the initiative taken by Queerala to start counselling sessions for parents and friends becomes important so that they don’t harm their loved ones by putting them through hormone treatment and what not for being different,” she says. Though these initiatives are bridging the gap between queers and the rest of society, there is a long way ahead. R?mal’s efforts with QAMI (Queer Arts Movement India) founded 10 years ago in Bangalore and one that started a trend of holding art performances in spaces that were clearly straight, like KMRL’s and Ledhi Cafe, are bringing down the fences albeit slowly. “I understand the worry that lots of people go through when we define spaces as straight versus queer-friendly, but the need of the hour is such. Many spaces are not open enough about their acceptance of the queer community. And for us queer people, we find it really hard to be in a space unless we know we are safe,” says R?mal. Satish Menon, proprietor, Ledhi Café, stresses the fact that his space is for everybody. “Nobody need to know about an individual’s sexual orientation, all are welcome,” he says. Bangalore-based Kshema Varghese from Kayamkulam will be reciting her poems at the event. “Such gatherings are important and offer a platform to know and meet others. In a time when gender is contested and sexuality judged I will read poems on personal feelings and emotions, she says. Kshema is upbeat about performing in the city. Elias George, MD, KMRL, is proud of the initiative and excited that in a ‘me too’ effect the Chennai Metro has evinced interest in doing the same. “KMRL is a symbol of a better tomorrow for all Kerala, so we feel that bringing transpeople on board in such a high profile project will be a leading example. Their high visibility will enable others to get used to the idea of working along with them.” Kishor Kumar, a former IT professional and now a writer and VP, Queerala, says that the funding of Queerala office space is crowd-sourced, a campaign that fetched ?3 lakh. Two members of Saathi, a national group, have arrived in solidarity with the community’s low key but seminal office opening. “We are part of the change and definitely there is increased activity in the field. The Kerala Pride is scheduled for August 12,” he says. Vihaan senses the changes but is real about the task ahead. “True, there is increased visibility and these are welcome initiatives but it is still very limited. The awareness and the removal of phobia has to begin from the grass roots, from schools. Queerala office is there for people from the community to pour their heart out. We have the research, the network and the contacts for the person who feels very alone, to grow.” Loneliness is what the members of the community battle daily. The initiatives will only help ease a situation brushed under the carpet for too long. R?mal will voice the buried angst in his poem, To My Sister Who Was My Brother tomorrow. Sweetheart/for there is no other word that does you justice/Be strong/ for there is nothing else you know how to be/Be patient/ for the world is not used to your magnificence.

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