Why does India hate Arundhati Roy?

It is no coincidence that the comments Roy is being prosecuted over are related to Kashmir. The vehement denial of Kashmiri rights as well as the violent suppression of the Kashmiri liberation movement has long been the hallmark of muscular Indian nationalism. As Nazia Amin wrote recently, “Kashmir is one of the sites where the tyrannical core at the heart of Indian nationalism gets expressed in its most blatant and persistent form.”

In the 1990s, Human Rights Watch reported...that the Indian armed forces in Kashmir were routinely using rape as a weapon of counterinsurgency. It was being used to target women “accuse[d] of being militant sympathisers”. By raping these women, Indian forces wanted to “punish and humiliate the entire community”. Reportedly, rape was also a tool of reprisal, used against civilians living in areas where fighters had ambushed the armed forces. READ MORE

India's Arundhati Roy covers the life of a transgender woman in her novel "The Ministry of Utmost Happiness"

India's Arundhati Roy wrote only 2 novels so far - and 20 years apart. Her first novel "The God of Small Things" won the 1997 Booker Prize.

In her second novel, "The Ministry of Utmost Happiness", the narrative is intricate and spans multiple characters and storylines. At its core, the novel explores the complexity of contemporary Indian society, addressing themes such as social and political unrest, religious diversity, and the struggles of marginalized communities.

The story weaves together the lives of various characters, including Anjum, a transgender woman, and Tilo, a woman with a mysterious past. Against the backdrop of India's socio-political landscape, the novel delves into issues of identity, love, and the search for meaning in a tumultuous world. Roy's narrative style is rich and evocative, drawing readers into a tapestry of human experiences.

Roy's "The Ministry of Utmost Happiness" garnered significant critical acclaim and recognition. While it didn't win the Booker Prize like her debut novel, it still made a substantial impact on the literary world.

Here are some of the notable accolades:

Longlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2017: This alone is a significant achievement, considering the high caliber of books competing for this prestigious award.

National Book Critics Circle Award finalist: This recognition from a prominent literary organization in the United States further solidified the novel's critical acclaim.

Shortlisted for The Hindu Literary Prize: This Indian literary award added to the book's domestic recognition.

It's important to note that while the novel didn't win the top prizes, it has been widely praised for its rich storytelling, complex characters, and its unflinching exploration of India's social and political landscape. It has undoubtedly contributed to Roy's status as one of India's most prominent and influential writers.

The pet I’ll never forget: Denis the cat, the ugly rogue who taught me to love myself

I eventually got orthodontic treatment and contact lenses and made several cosmetic improvements. Still, thanks to Denis, I embraced who I was on the inside and let it shine. I now have a new cat, Hobbes, who is incredibly beautiful. He has taught me nothing except that people will do anything for you if you’re good-looking enough. READ MORE

NOTE TO JJ: That unforgettable scene in Arundhati Roy's "The God of Small Things"

Dear JJ,

The most gross sex story India's Arundhati Roy wrote is "The God of Small Things". 

The Orangedrink Lemondrink Man is the sleezy guy who runs the refreshment counter at Abhilash Talkies and takes the little boy Estha behind the counter and molests him. 

The scene is unforgettable to anyone who has read Roy's Booker prize winning novel.

Orangedrink Lemondrink Man gives Estha a drink and then takes him by his hand and ejaculates on his hand:  

“Estha’s hand got hot and sticky. It had egg white on it. White egg white. Quarter boiled”. 

Estha doesn’t talk to anyone about it. In fact, he goes on to become mute. His interaction with the Orangedrink Lemondrink Man was very short but it made a lasting impression on Estha’s life, changed his boundaries and understanding of sex, and confused him. 

That little incident was so gross that it will forever haunt any reader of Roy's award winning novel.

Hanif Kureishi, too, might have loved to write such lines. 😆

Sincerely,

XX

Professor sacked over abuse claims in rare win for China’s #MeToo movement

Swift response by Renmin University to student’s post creates shockwave in a country where accusers are often ignored or sued. READ MORE

Despite risks, camgirl work provides lifeline for migrant Venezuelan women

Not long after Valeria had arrived in Colombia, her dad noticed she was online late at night and sent her a message from Venezuela, asking why she was still awake.

The 20-year-old had to think fast as she had told her family she was moving to the neighboring country to work in a call center.

“I told him I’d found a second job in a grocery store,” she told CNN.

But both jobs were lies. READ MORE

Tricked into conversion therapy in Russia for being trans

On a remote farm in Siberia, a man handed Ada a knife. In front of them was a pig.

“Cut it off,” he said. “If you want to go ahead with the operation, you need to understand what castration means.”

Ada was 23 and transgender - she had been tricked into going to a conversion therapy centre after coming out to her family. READ MORE

LSU cornerback Javien Toviano arrested on accusation of video voyeurism, authorities say

Toviano, 19, of Arlington, Texas, is accused of recording himself having sex with a woman without her consent, according to an arrest warrant. The woman told detectives she found videos of the two on Toviano’s iPad that were recorded through a clock with a built-in camera placed near the bed, The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate reported. READ MORE

That heartbreaking moment from "Moonlight"

In a lonely world, brotherly affection can turn into romantic love. Sexuality is a fluid thing. That's my personal theory anyway. I could be wrong, though.

NOTE TO JJ: Another case of sextortion in the Maldives

Dear JJ,

After reading your blogposts (1 & 2) about sextortion in the Maldives, I thought I will share such a horrid experience experienced by a gay Maldivian friend.

He was lured to a guesthouse. When he was in the room and then took off his clothes, the sex-deliverer hid his clothes and ushered in a group of men who started taking my friend's pictures while he was nude. Later he was blackmailed and extorted.

Sincerely,

XX

Love is love

WATCH: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C946b58vbP2/

Quote of the day

Beautiful. Isn't she? Parvati and Shiva. One half devotion, the other destruction. Male. Female. Neither. Both. Some people find that strange. But we hijras understand it completely.  

- Alpha, 'Monkey Man'

Quote of the day

Inside, Dina rubbed her hair with the handkerchief. It had a nice smell to it, she thought. Not perfume, but a clean human smell. His smell. The same one she perceived sometimes while sitting next to him. She put it against her nose and breathed deeply, then folded it away, embarrassed.

- Rohinton Mistry, 'A Fine Balance ' 

Greeks Come True Calendar 2019 - Making of Movie Trailer

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4k8b7julvNo

Some Lovely 😍 Movements with Lovely 😍 Friends

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VHSh7aje7A

Playing with fire?

WATCH: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C91p4csP8Tw/

INDIA: IndiGo becomes first airline to allow women to choose not to sit next to men

The aim of the policy is to make women feel more comfortable travelling. READ MORE

South Korean politician under fire for blaming women for rising male suicides

A South Korean politician is under fire for making unsubstantiated comments linking the rise in male suicides to a "female-dominated society". READ MORE

Japanese PM bows deeply as he apologises to victims of forced sterilisation programme

Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishidi bowed in apology to the victims of forced sterilisation just weeks after Japan’s top court ruled that a defunct eugenics law under which 25,000 people were forcibly sterilised between 1948 and 1996 was unconstitutional. READ MORE

BANGLADESH: The remaining 2 per cent jobs quota would cater to members of ethnic minorities, transgenders and disabled people.

Amid violent protests, Bangladesh’s Supreme Court scales back govt job quota. READ MORE

I Spent 6 Days w/ 11 Other Nude Men — Here's What Happened

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rH7zHg-ers

These Picassos prompted a gender war at an Australian gallery. Now the curator says she painted them

They were billed as artworks by Pablo Picasso, paintings so valuable that an Australian art museum’s decision to display them in an exhibition restricted to women visitors provoked a gender discrimination lawsuit. The paintings again prompted international headlines when the gallery re-hung them in a women’s restroom to sidestep a legal ruling that said men could not be barred from viewing them.

But the artworks at the center of the uproar were not really by Picasso or the other famed artists billed as their creators, it emerged this week when the curator of the women-only exhibition admitted she had painted them herself. READ MORE

In landmark ruling, South Korea's top court confirms state benefits for gay couples

South Korea's supreme court on Thursday upheld a ruling that a same-sex partner was eligible for spousal benefits from state health insurance, a move hailed as a win for LGBTQ rights in a country that has lagged others in the region.

The court confirmed a landmark decision by the Seoul High Court early last year that the National Health Insurance Service should provide equal spousal coverage to So Sung-wook and Kim Yong-min - a gay couple who filed a suit in 2021 against the agency after it cancelled their spousal benefits. READ MORE

I attended a gay wedding in Singapore!

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5C-Tz-CKIM

The LGBTQ wedding planner aiding Hong Kong couples as gay marriage remains illegal in city

Next Chapter LGBT is Hong Kong’s only LGBTQ-focused wedding planner, helping couples get married abroad and, more recently, at home. READ MORE

New York attorney general, NYCLU challenge county’s transgender athlete ban

New York Attorney General Leticia James (D) and the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) are once again taking legal action against a county outside New York City over a newly enacted law preventing transgender women from competing on women’s sports teams. READ MORE

J.D. Vance accused of hypocrisy for changing own name but opposing trans rights

Vance picked his own surname as an adult but a mother accused him of not respecting her trans daughter's right to use her own chosen name. READ MORE

Donald Trump plans to gut queer and trans rights in a second term

Trump’s policy platform has sown fear among LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and emboldened the former president’s extreme fanbase. READ MORE

Japan: Amid same-sex marriage ban, LGBTQ couples opt for 'photo weddings'

Unable to get married legally in Japan, LGBTQ couples are celebrating their special bond by donning traditional kimonos and fashionable formal wear for elaborate "photo weddings."

But these carefully choreographed images are often kept hidden in this conservative society where many LGBTQ people say they face prejudice and stigma, even from their own families. READ MORE

Watch: The trans-led salon in Brazil celebrating queer identity

A short documentary directed by Roma Joana in collaboration with beauty collective Pelo Tosco, Sinto Muito celebrates queer expression through hair. MORE

Being gay is rebellious?

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjX4zVmPYXg

Cameroon activists hope for change after president's daughter comes out

Rights activists in Cameroon and abroad have praised the daughter of President Paul Biya for announcing that she is in a same-sex relationship. By challenging the country's stringent anti-homosexuality laws, campaigners hope Brenda Biya's declaration will help highlight the persecution faced by LGBTQ+ people in Cameroon. READ MORE

Court upholds Tennessee ban on changing sex in birth certificates

A divided federal appeals court on Friday rejected a constitutional challenge to Tennessee's decades-old policy of not allowing people born in the state to amend their birth certificates to reflect their gender identity.

A 2-1 panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held, opens new tab that the U.S. Constitution did not require the Republican-led state to change the biological sex listed on the birth certificates of four transgender women born in Tennessee. READ MORE

New York court allows state Equal Rights Amendment to appear on November ballot

A proposed amendment to New York’s Constitution to expand nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ and pregnant people will appear before voters in November, the state’s highest court ruled Thursday. 

The decision from New York’s Court of Appeals affirms a June decision allowing the amendment to be brought to voters for ratification, after an upstate New York judge threw it off the ballot in May. The justices on Thursday dismissed an appeal from Marjorie Byrnes (R), a Republican state Assembly member, “upon the ground that no substantial constitutional question is directly involved.” READ MORE

Celebrating diversity — First Pride in the Park event showcases local LGBTQ support

Attendees, performers and vendors braved the heat and went away happy with the experiences at the Pride in the Park on Saturday at West End Park.

Organizer Taylor Bear said anywhere from 150 to 200 local and out-of-town people attended the event throughout the day. READ MORE

Queer observations #50

Be the reason for someone's smile. Every bit of compassion works both ways.

During my most recent trip to the Maldives, I got smiles from SOME White men and Brown men.

This may not be true of everybody but those who do smile seems to want some kind of connection even if it means it's just a hi-and-bye without the prospects of crossing paths ever again.

I was waiting for an Avas Ride taxi car to go to a relatively distant restaurant for dinner. I say "relatively" because the capital Malé is just two square kilometers in area.

After dropping my Maldivian friend at home, I waited near a florist.

I saw a young White man approaching the shop. We glanced at each other and he smiled. Then he went into the florist.

After a few minutes he exited - this time with a Brown male companion who I wondered was whether a Maldivian. Sometimes I cannot tell who is from which country because even among South Asians there are shades of Brown. I have come across men from India who is as light skinned as Whites while I have come across Bangladesh folks who are as dark as Blacks. South Asia is indeed an interesting mix of varying colors of humanity and this I say as a compliment.

My taxi arrived and I went on my way to a Sri Lankan restaurant just for the joy of smiling at two Sri Lankan waiters who had been smiling at me while serving during a previous visit to Maldives.

As it happened, it was both of their shift and they came over as soon as they saw me coming in.

I ordered four parathas with chicken curry gravy and Bombay tea and they were delicious.

Years ago I tipped waiters but not anymore because Maldives law now requires eateries to allocate service charge to their staff.

Now my "tip" to waiters and chefs are smiles only because I have come to understand that a smile received can be an uplifting feeling.

Years ago I thought Brown people became friendly because they felt an affinity for people of their same ethnicity. But nowadays when random White strange men smile at me, I feel something has changed. Despite conflict and racism and xenophobia, I feel the larger humankind wants to bond and establish a connection just for the sake of humanity. This could be millennials, gen z and gen alpha taking over human civilization - for the better.

Gay and lonely

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RXzDtwTXZY

Christian nationalists want to turn America into a theocracy

CHECK: https://www.instagram.com/p/C9VIo5yv_NX/

A rallying cry to defend the rights of transgender people

Conservatives are going after transgender youth, banning their access to medical care, public bathrooms, accurate identity documents and athletic participation. READ MORE

JD Vance, Trump’s VP pick, has opposed abortion and LGBTQ+ rights

The first-term senator from Ohio has also taken particular aim at prominent Democrats who do not have children, arguing that political leaders should have a stake in the country’s future through their children. READ MORE

Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, wants to criminalize gender-affirming care for minors

The Ohio senator introduced a bill that cobbles together numerous restrictions on gender-affirming care. READ MORE

"The Secret Public: How LGBTQ Resistance Shaped Popular Culture (1955–1979)" by Jon Savage review – pop’s coming out period

In this erudite book with broad appeal, the renowned critic moves deftly from insightful analysis of pivotal artists and songs into the wider social history of the years that advanced gay culture. READ MORE

Nigeria-EU deal sparks false claims over LGBT rights

The 403-page pact does not mention LGBT rights or same-sex relationships at all - yet many Nigerians believe that by signing it the West African nation has automatically legalised same-sex relationships.

The claims went viral last week when a piece published by Nigeria’s Daily Trust newspaper falsely alleged that the agreement forced underdeveloped and developing countries to recognise LGBT rights as a condition “for getting financial and other supports from advanced societies”. READ MORE

The Supreme Court’s Chevron decision is already hurting transgender rights

Right-wing justices on the high court recently upended decades of federal administrative law — and the effects are already endangering rules meant to protect trans people.

The right-wing majority on the Supreme Court last month upended a 40-year legal precedent that has governed how federal agencies are able to set rules, in a decision legal experts say will do sweeping damage to the regulation of everything from health care to student loan forgiveness to environmental protections and more. READ MORE

These millions of Americans are more likely to live in poverty, be unemployed and have no family support

“I’m living paycheck to paycheck,” Merriss, who lives in an apartment in Cincinnati, told CNN. They manage to scrape by thanks to a housing assistance program, Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Merriss’ plight illustrates the harsh economic realities of millions of Americans who identify as transgender and/or non-binary. The evidence from research and surveys is unmistakable: People whose gender identity does not match their sex at birth are more likely to experience financial hardships than the general population. READ MORE

Benefits of masturbation?

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUVm0MkBXI4

Isolated by their ‘allies,’ LGBTQ Jews in US gather to parse Pride’s anti-Israel leanings

As supporters of the Jewish state feel increasingly unwelcome at events for the Queer community, they turn to each other for support, while mulling what feels like betrayal. READ MORE

Trump's new GOP platform is a massive win for LGBT Americans | Opinion

It's a strange time to be one of the roughly 25 percent of LGBT Americans who lean Republican. Liberal media and Democratic politicians are making apocalyptic pronouncements about the supposed fascist dystopia that awaits America under a potential second term for Donald Trump, like the Biden campaign tweeting images from The Handmaid's Tale. Yet at the same time that all this hysteria is going on, the Republican Party's latest platform includes a massive win for gay rights. READ MORE

3 positions we try when bottoming hurts!

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqQi1ud5Jnk

In this video we discuss 3 bottoming positions that we think are great especially if you are a beginner to bottoming. These positions can be great if you are just feeling sensitive down there as well.

Seducing a 'straight' construction worker

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRpn1RlGzqU

The BEST GAY SAUNA in ASIA? | Krubb Bangkok, Thailand; Gay Sauna First Impressions and Review

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8CVZxM9LuY

Is Krubb the best Gay Sauna in Bangkok, Thailand? Is Krubb the BEST gay sauna in all of Asia? Is Gay Thailand as amazing as everyone says it is?! In this first impressions and review video, I will be talking about my personal experience going to Krubb in Bangkok.

Texas judges block Biden protections for LGBTQ students

Previous decisions by three other Republican-appointed judges in Kansas, Kentucky and Louisiana blocked the anti-discrimination regulation in 14 other states. READ MORE

Burkina Faso bans "homosexuality and associated practices" as Africa's coup belt lurches away from the West

It makes the West African nation the latest of the continent's 54 countries to follow a trend in banning same-sex relations. There are now only 21 African nations that do not explicitly prohibit same-sex relations. Uganda imposed the continent's most severe laws in May. READ MORE

Project 2025’s plan to criminalize porn has a sinister subplot

The far-right game plan for a second Trump term defines pornography to include "transgender ideology." READ MORE

Inside a gay sauna in Asia | F Club Manila

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_MLL_JcBJA

I came out as a nudist to dad & mom… & something AMAZING happened

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzC0cn52iI8

Maldives: legislative hold-up: amendment to ban Israelis languishes in committee for over 30 days

While it has been a month since the bill to amend the Immigration Act to ban bearers of Israeli passports from entering the Maldives has been parked by the Security Services Committee (241 Committee), the committee has held four meetings since without the bill being up for discussion in any of the meetings. READ MORE

"Bound" star looks back on the '90s queer classic

Hollywood did everything in its power to stop Gina Gershon from starring in "Bound". But that just made her want it more.

“I knew it was an issue just because everyone was giving me such a hard time about doing the movie,” Gershon tells Inverse. “Actresses weren't even allowed to go in [to audition] because during that time, you don't do a lesbian movie or else you destroy your career. Which, you know, I thought was just so insane.” READ MORE

Lead, arsenic, and other toxic metals are lurking in commonly purchased tampons

Not all of these compounds are inherently harmful — here’s what you need to know. READ MORE

Alice Munro knew my stepfather sexually abused me as a child, says Nobel laureate’s daughter

Andrea Robin Skinner says her stepfather sexually assaulted her when she was nine, but her mother said she ‘loved him too much’ to leave him. READ MORE

Ready for rimming?

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbKV_ObVyjw

The 3.2 million-year-old Lucy fossil reveals a forgotten truth about humans

For over 2.5 million years, early humans and their ancestors were simply naked. READ MORE

The daughter of Cameroon's president comes out as LGBTQ+

Brenda Biya, the daughter of Cameroon President Paul Biya, has seemingly come out as LGBTQIA+ 🏳️‍🌈⁠

⁠On 30 June – the last day of Pride Month – the 26-year-old shared a photo on Instagram, where she can be seen kissing Brazilian model Layyons Valença.⁠ READ MORE

How Tom Hanks’ son spawned a hateful meme online

In the spring of 2021, Chet Hanks, the singer, actor and son of Tom, posted a series of statements and a music video with a refrain that caused confusion, not to mention a fair bit of cringing. He declared it was going to be a “white boy summer.” READ MORE

The impact of music: Growing up gay

Dr. Tyler and Gabriel discuss their experiences growing up gay and the impact of music on finding strength, hope, and inspiration.

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzKd8u51iG4

Argentina once led on LGBTQ rights. After 4 lesbians are set on fire, critics blame rising intolerance on Milei’s government

It was an attack that sent shockwaves through a country long considered a pioneer in LGBTQ rights. In the early hours of May 6, four lesbian women were set on fire in Argentina. Only one of them survived. READ MORE

Plastic in your testicles?

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70jpJOLG5zE

Mutual masturbation?

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gudDZxMIMhY

Guatemala asks LGBT pride marchers to have 'good manners' after bid to ban event

Guatemala's top court on Friday issued a resolution that called for "good manners" and authorities to protect moral values at this year's annual LGBT pride parade, after a lawyer sought to ban the march and prevent children from attending. READ MORE

Tens of thousands rally against transphobia at Paris Pride March

Organised on the eve of the first round of parliamentary elections and after "an unprecedented anti-trans campaign", the Paris Pride March gathered several thousands people in the French capital, with the fight against transphobia as its main theme. READ MORE

Word of the day: "internalized homophobia"

Internalized homophobia occurs when a person is subject to society’s negative perceptions, intolerance, and stigma toward people with same-sex attraction. They then turn those ideas inward, believing that they are true, and experience self-hatred as a result of being a socially stigmatized person. READ MORE

Late Night host and author Amber Ruffin comes out on last day of Pride with a pointed message to haters

'In what will come as a shock to exactly zero people, I'm using the last day of PRIDE to come out! Be proud of who you are, little babies! I know I am!', Amber Ruffin wrote. READ MORE

The Nigerian queer parties that offer liberation

The organisers of the Fola Francis Ball – named in honour of a transgender woman who died last year - only released the venue details with just hours to go before it opened. READ MORE

Why Bronski Beat’s anthem of gay culture resonates 40 years on

What it is about the the haunting classic, Smalltown Boy, that still compels teens to join older generations on the dancefloor? READ MORE

'Doctor Who' actor says he wishes women's minister didn't 'exist' during speech on LGBTQ rights

David Tennant took aim at Kemi Badenoch, the UK's women and equalities minister, at the British LGBT Awards. READ MORE