Vathil used to be a queer support group in Keralam. we can be contacted at vathilakam@gmail.com. This blog used to update vathil activities, but as members moved out, now this remains as an internet forum
Friday, December 20, 2013
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Sweet Maria Murder- Obituaries
For Maria, with love and pain, Gee Imaan Semmalar
"Sweet, scandalous Maria, you have been taken away from us violently. Is this what we get for fearlessly questioning imposed genders and heterosexuality? Someone so vibrant and full of life is no longer with us, to march and joke and struggle by our side. Maria’s murder has shaken the spirit of the community to a large extent. But it should not lead to fear and further repression of who we are. The struggle must go on, against the regressive patriarchal forces that are trying to silence us."
"The investigating team says one of them had physical relations with Sweet Maria, and killed her because he suspected her to be HIV+. “The accused was told by someone else that Anil had been living with HIV. It prompted him to take revenge on Anil,” says Inspector V Sugathan, who is heading the probe. The accused later tested negative for HIV. Sweet Maria’s friends and activists do not buy this theory. The police are also looking at other angles, like moral policing and honour killing. Sweet Maria had no hesitation in announcing her sexuality publicly but the media was reluctant to do so."
Obituary: Sweet Maria, Anil. A
"My friend and queer activist, Sweet Maria/Anil Sadanandan was brutally murdered on 10th May 2012, at his quarters in Kollam, Kerala. I cannot comprehend that such a crime was committed against a person who was so loving and lovable."
Sunday, July 4, 2010
NAPM on one year of Delhi High Court Judgement on Section 377
NAPM on one year of Delhi High Court Judgement on Section 377
PRESS STATEMENT, JULY 3, 2010
Celebrating diversity and inclusiveness in the age of consent
One year ago, on July 2nd 2009, a Delhi High Court division bench of Chief Justice A. P Shah and Justice S. Muralidhar said “We declare that Section 377 IPC, insofar it criminalizes consensual sexual acts of adults in private, is violative of Articles 21, 14 and 15 of the Constitution.” It upheld one of the primary principles of natural justice, 'right to consent' and restored the dignity and rights of millions of those whose existence in the society was not even acknowledged. Needless to say that while it was a result of a long struggle by a lot of people that a judgement of this kind came in, and that is not a mean achievement, however, implementation of this is important. Just having a law is not enough.
In this one year we have seen many changes in the society and do hope this will go a long way in ending the life-long harassment and discrimination in schools, colleges, workspaces, homes, the streets and everywhere. The fight against the discrimination in the name of caste, class, patriarchy and religion has to be led at this front too and everybody will have to come to the fore of it. After all in this age of consent, the cardinal principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity has to be upheld not only by states but also by the civil society.
We need to note that inspite of having a law to prevent the atrocities and discrimination against the dalits and tribals still they are being subject to all kinds of discrimination and face violence in everyday life. What is needed is a political will for enforcing the law and people recognising the value of dignity and a societal acceptance of these values. With dignity, the right to life and dignified livelihood of everyone has to be respected and that is why it becomes important that queer community joins hands with dalits, adivasis, farmers, workers, fisher folks, forest dwellers and others in their struggle for a better life. These struggles are not of one community alone but are linked and is a struggle of everyone. This would make the true rainbow alliance and ensure diversity and plurality within the movement.
Justice shah and Muralidhar cited Dr. Ambedkar’s notion of “constitutional morality” and Pt. Nehru’s idea of equality, and recognized that: “If there is one constitutional tenet that can be said to be underlying theme of the Indian Constitution, it is that of 'inclusiveness'.” And further that, “It cannot be forgotten that discrimination is antithesis of equality and that it is the recognition of equality which will foster the dignity of every individual”.
NAPM joins hands with the queer movement in celebrating a year since this judgement and urges the
movement to also come forward in tune with the struggle of millions for a dignified livelihood and to end continuing violence unleashed by the neo-liberal policies of the government on the people. The challenges are many and we have to spread far and wide and lend our shoulders with struggling people everywhere and take the movement to hitherto unreachable places in villages and smaller towns as well.
As a movement let us make sure that round the year we are on the streets fighting the injustice everywhere not only when our individual freedom and rights are at stake. As a movement we have to stand with everyone and everywhere against discrimination, oppression and injustice.
Celebrating diversity, plurality and for a rainbow of resistances against injustice and violence ...
Medha Patkar, Sandeep Pandey, Gabriele Dietrich, Maj Gen S.G.Vombatkere (Retd), Anand Mazgaonkar, Mukta Srivastava, Rajendra Ravi, Ramakrishna Raju, Vimal Bhai, Srikanth, Madhuresh Kumar
PRESS STATEMENT, JULY 3, 2010
Celebrating diversity and inclusiveness in the age of consent
One year ago, on July 2nd 2009, a Delhi High Court division bench of Chief Justice A. P Shah and Justice S. Muralidhar said “We declare that Section 377 IPC, insofar it criminalizes consensual sexual acts of adults in private, is violative of Articles 21, 14 and 15 of the Constitution.” It upheld one of the primary principles of natural justice, 'right to consent' and restored the dignity and rights of millions of those whose existence in the society was not even acknowledged. Needless to say that while it was a result of a long struggle by a lot of people that a judgement of this kind came in, and that is not a mean achievement, however, implementation of this is important. Just having a law is not enough.
In this one year we have seen many changes in the society and do hope this will go a long way in ending the life-long harassment and discrimination in schools, colleges, workspaces, homes, the streets and everywhere. The fight against the discrimination in the name of caste, class, patriarchy and religion has to be led at this front too and everybody will have to come to the fore of it. After all in this age of consent, the cardinal principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity has to be upheld not only by states but also by the civil society.
We need to note that inspite of having a law to prevent the atrocities and discrimination against the dalits and tribals still they are being subject to all kinds of discrimination and face violence in everyday life. What is needed is a political will for enforcing the law and people recognising the value of dignity and a societal acceptance of these values. With dignity, the right to life and dignified livelihood of everyone has to be respected and that is why it becomes important that queer community joins hands with dalits, adivasis, farmers, workers, fisher folks, forest dwellers and others in their struggle for a better life. These struggles are not of one community alone but are linked and is a struggle of everyone. This would make the true rainbow alliance and ensure diversity and plurality within the movement.
Justice shah and Muralidhar cited Dr. Ambedkar’s notion of “constitutional morality” and Pt. Nehru’s idea of equality, and recognized that: “If there is one constitutional tenet that can be said to be underlying theme of the Indian Constitution, it is that of 'inclusiveness'.” And further that, “It cannot be forgotten that discrimination is antithesis of equality and that it is the recognition of equality which will foster the dignity of every individual”.
NAPM joins hands with the queer movement in celebrating a year since this judgement and urges the
movement to also come forward in tune with the struggle of millions for a dignified livelihood and to end continuing violence unleashed by the neo-liberal policies of the government on the people. The challenges are many and we have to spread far and wide and lend our shoulders with struggling people everywhere and take the movement to hitherto unreachable places in villages and smaller towns as well.
As a movement let us make sure that round the year we are on the streets fighting the injustice everywhere not only when our individual freedom and rights are at stake. As a movement we have to stand with everyone and everywhere against discrimination, oppression and injustice.
Celebrating diversity, plurality and for a rainbow of resistances against injustice and violence ...
Medha Patkar, Sandeep Pandey, Gabriele Dietrich, Maj Gen S.G.Vombatkere (Retd), Anand Mazgaonkar, Mukta Srivastava, Rajendra Ravi, Ramakrishna Raju, Vimal Bhai, Srikanth, Madhuresh Kumar
Friday, June 18, 2010
Kerala queer pride 2010 july 2 Thrissur
Keralam is celebrating its first Queer Pride at Thrissur on July 2nd. Queer Pride is celebrated around the world by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people and their supporters. Queer Pride is a celebration. It is about loving who we are, whether lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, hijra or straight and affirming every-one's right to be respected.
July 2nd of 2009 is the day when the Delhi High court decriminalized homosexuality by rereading section 377 of Indian Penal code. We celebrate pride on this day as we see the judgment as a historical moment in the lives of queer people.
http://queerpridekeralam.blogspot.com/
July 2nd of 2009 is the day when the Delhi High court decriminalized homosexuality by rereading section 377 of Indian Penal code. We celebrate pride on this day as we see the judgment as a historical moment in the lives of queer people.
http://queerpridekeralam.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
lgbt support 'rainbow helpline' in kerala
A new helpline has been launched for support for lgbt communities in Keralam. The number is 0091 9020110017. The help line is active from 9.00 Am to 9.00 PM every day.
Monday, May 10, 2010
IDAM 2 Convention for Sexuality Minority Rights & Queer Film Festival programme schedule
IDAM 2
Convention for Sexuality Minority Rights & Queer Film Festival
Sahithya Academy Hall.
Program Schedule
May 13th- Convention and performances: 930 am – 8 pm
SCHEDULE:
9:30am - Welcome speech and introduction: sahayatrika
10:00am Inauguration: A.Revathi(Sangama)
10:20 am - Dance Performance: MCF calicut.
10:30Panel # 1 – Queer Movements & Other Social Movements
J. Devika, Shamshad Hussein, Rekha Raj, Sunny Kappikkad,
Bobby Kunju. Kalkki subhramanyam,A Revathi,Sumathi murthy,
12:00 Dance Performances
Malabar Cultural Forum
VOICE
Loveland Arts Society
Sneha Bhavan
Palakkadu group Sahayi
1:00pm- Lunch
2:00pm- Song (Lesbit collective-Banglore)
Play on migration Lesbit Collective,
Dance performances
2:40pm- Panel #2 – Sexuality Minority migration from Kerala
Kalki Subramaniam, Sunil Mohan, Kannan, Syam (Voice), Reshma
Baradwaraj, Sunil Menon. Nalini Jameela.
4:00pm- Theatre PC Harish, Sandalwood Trees.
Break
5:00pm Panel # 3 – Life After 377
Dr. A.K. Jayasree, Adv. Asha, Aryakrishnan Ramakrishnan, Manohar Elavarthi Shubha, Maya S, Anil.A(Chilla)
6:00pm Poetry (Joshua Muwiya)
Poetry (Beena Appu)
6:30 Dance Performance
7:00 Annirudhan Vasudevan,
7:00 Music
Sumathy Murthy,
Thanks: Sahayatrika
14th may 2010
sahithya academy hall.
9.00 a.m : FLYING INSIDE MY BODY
sumith sharma,rintu Thomas,susmith ghosh,
Ajeetha chowhan/2008/India
35 min/English
A documentary recording veteran photographer Sunil Gupta, who uses his art to challenge stereotypes that limit one’s body, sexuality and identity.
9.45 a.m: THE WORLD UNSEEN
Shamim sharif/2007/1hr 34 mins/India/Us/English
The world unseen is set in south Africa in the 1950’s when apartheid had begun. Free-spirited Amina has broken all the rules of her conventional Indian community by running a café, a “grey area” for those who fall out side the strict ‘black and white” rules of the apartheid-led government.Café regulars include Amina’s feisty waitress Doris, her gentle “coloured” business partner Jacob and the white local postmistress Madeleine.
11.20 :am FAMILY IN FRAME
Neelu Bhuman/2009/US/India/8 min/English /Telugu
A short that presents an honest and uplifting experience of bisexuality.
Break
12 am: EDIE AND THEA:A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT.
Susan Muska and greta olafsdottir/2009/US/1 hr 1min/English
A documentary that shows a feisty and Delightful Lesbian couple, Edie and Thea, who are finally getting married after 42 years.
Break
2 pm: GREAT HOMOPHOBIA TEST
siuCHO,Perspex,Chiu,Zacky, Doo,Vice, Mandy/2009/Hong Kong/3min 31 secs/English subtitles
Outside the landmark Tsim Sha Tsui cultural centre, ”Hong Kong salvation” just made a video experiment testing how homophobicHong kong society is. Two gay man, who act as a couple, ask passersby to help take a photo. No sooner had that letter stood still and ready to press the button, the gay couple Kissed and hugged. Hidden video cameras captured how the passersby react.
2.5 pm: SINGLE MOTHER
Ryan Logan/2009/USA/6min/English
A big-hearted transvestite reincarnation of June cleaver embarks on a perilous journey to obtain the nuclear family featured in her tattered home and garden magazines.
2.15 Pm: ALL MY LIFE
Maher Sabry/2008/1hr 59 mints /Egypt/Arabic
Against the backdrop of the choreographed crackdown on gay man and the notorious queen boat arrests of 2001, the life an Egyptian homosexual, Rami, unravels.
4.00pm: ARE WE TALKING STRAIGHT?
Oishik Sircar,Debonina dutta, Anindya Shankar Das, Anirban Ghosh, Prachi Tulshan, Sana Faiyaz, Souayan sinha/2009/India/30 min/Bengali
A documentary short in kolkata on may 17, 2009 to mark the international Day Aginst Homophobia.
4.30 pm: HONG KONG SALVATION-“GAY LOVERS”: JUDICIAL REVIEW
Vice/2009/Hong kong/6 min 38 secs/ English subtitles
Report of how the “gay lovers” Judicial review was won, after it was ruled out by the broadcasting Authority as being biased toward homosexuality.
4.40pm: HOLD ON
Shrenik Jain/2009/India / 11 min/English/Hindi
New Delhi. Past 10pm.Dark, Shady and Deserted.A man is cruised by another man in one of the many corners of CP.
5.5pm: JALHAWAR DINBADAL
Somnath Chakraborthy/2008/India/32 min 22 sec/ Bengali
A short about five friends, patralekha,Rupam,Armaan,Arijit and swapno, who get fed up with the monotony of city life and set off on journeys of escape.
5.50: pm LES READ 1 MINUT
Yau Ching/2009/Hong Kong/ 3 min/English subtitles
Ways of learning from a book of gender education in order to talk to your parents and teachers about controversial topics like using foul language and homosexuality.
6.00: pm LOST AND FOUND
Sherenik Jain/2009/ India/8 min/Silent
Delhi. 42 degrees. Two strangers. And a stimulating bumpy rides in a crowded local bus.
6.30 Pm: Music Night
Organized by Sahayatrika
International Film Selection by Bangalore Queer Film Festival, and Sahayatrika
for more information contact sahayatrika@gmail.com or call 9744955866
Convention for Sexuality Minority Rights & Queer Film Festival
Sahithya Academy Hall.
Program Schedule
May 13th- Convention and performances: 930 am – 8 pm
SCHEDULE:
9:30am - Welcome speech and introduction: sahayatrika
10:00am Inauguration: A.Revathi(Sangama)
10:20 am - Dance Performance: MCF calicut.
10:30Panel # 1 – Queer Movements & Other Social Movements
J. Devika, Shamshad Hussein, Rekha Raj, Sunny Kappikkad,
Bobby Kunju. Kalkki subhramanyam,A Revathi,Sumathi murthy,
12:00 Dance Performances
Malabar Cultural Forum
VOICE
Loveland Arts Society
Sneha Bhavan
Palakkadu group Sahayi
1:00pm- Lunch
2:00pm- Song (Lesbit collective-Banglore)
Play on migration Lesbit Collective,
Dance performances
2:40pm- Panel #2 – Sexuality Minority migration from Kerala
Kalki Subramaniam, Sunil Mohan, Kannan, Syam (Voice), Reshma
Baradwaraj, Sunil Menon. Nalini Jameela.
4:00pm- Theatre PC Harish, Sandalwood Trees.
Break
5:00pm Panel # 3 – Life After 377
Dr. A.K. Jayasree, Adv. Asha, Aryakrishnan Ramakrishnan, Manohar Elavarthi Shubha, Maya S, Anil.A(Chilla)
6:00pm Poetry (Joshua Muwiya)
Poetry (Beena Appu)
6:30 Dance Performance
7:00 Annirudhan Vasudevan,
7:00 Music
Sumathy Murthy,
Thanks: Sahayatrika
14th may 2010
sahithya academy hall.
9.00 a.m : FLYING INSIDE MY BODY
sumith sharma,rintu Thomas,susmith ghosh,
Ajeetha chowhan/2008/India
35 min/English
A documentary recording veteran photographer Sunil Gupta, who uses his art to challenge stereotypes that limit one’s body, sexuality and identity.
9.45 a.m: THE WORLD UNSEEN
Shamim sharif/2007/1hr 34 mins/India/Us/English
The world unseen is set in south Africa in the 1950’s when apartheid had begun. Free-spirited Amina has broken all the rules of her conventional Indian community by running a café, a “grey area” for those who fall out side the strict ‘black and white” rules of the apartheid-led government.Café regulars include Amina’s feisty waitress Doris, her gentle “coloured” business partner Jacob and the white local postmistress Madeleine.
11.20 :am FAMILY IN FRAME
Neelu Bhuman/2009/US/India/8 min/English /Telugu
A short that presents an honest and uplifting experience of bisexuality.
Break
12 am: EDIE AND THEA:A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT.
Susan Muska and greta olafsdottir/2009/US/1 hr 1min/English
A documentary that shows a feisty and Delightful Lesbian couple, Edie and Thea, who are finally getting married after 42 years.
Break
2 pm: GREAT HOMOPHOBIA TEST
siuCHO,Perspex,Chiu,Zacky, Doo,Vice, Mandy/2009/Hong Kong/3min 31 secs/English subtitles
Outside the landmark Tsim Sha Tsui cultural centre, ”Hong Kong salvation” just made a video experiment testing how homophobicHong kong society is. Two gay man, who act as a couple, ask passersby to help take a photo. No sooner had that letter stood still and ready to press the button, the gay couple Kissed and hugged. Hidden video cameras captured how the passersby react.
2.5 pm: SINGLE MOTHER
Ryan Logan/2009/USA/6min/English
A big-hearted transvestite reincarnation of June cleaver embarks on a perilous journey to obtain the nuclear family featured in her tattered home and garden magazines.
2.15 Pm: ALL MY LIFE
Maher Sabry/2008/1hr 59 mints /Egypt/Arabic
Against the backdrop of the choreographed crackdown on gay man and the notorious queen boat arrests of 2001, the life an Egyptian homosexual, Rami, unravels.
4.00pm: ARE WE TALKING STRAIGHT?
Oishik Sircar,Debonina dutta, Anindya Shankar Das, Anirban Ghosh, Prachi Tulshan, Sana Faiyaz, Souayan sinha/2009/India/30 min/Bengali
A documentary short in kolkata on may 17, 2009 to mark the international Day Aginst Homophobia.
4.30 pm: HONG KONG SALVATION-“GAY LOVERS”: JUDICIAL REVIEW
Vice/2009/Hong kong/6 min 38 secs/ English subtitles
Report of how the “gay lovers” Judicial review was won, after it was ruled out by the broadcasting Authority as being biased toward homosexuality.
4.40pm: HOLD ON
Shrenik Jain/2009/India / 11 min/English/Hindi
New Delhi. Past 10pm.Dark, Shady and Deserted.A man is cruised by another man in one of the many corners of CP.
5.5pm: JALHAWAR DINBADAL
Somnath Chakraborthy/2008/India/32 min 22 sec/ Bengali
A short about five friends, patralekha,Rupam,Armaan,Arijit and swapno, who get fed up with the monotony of city life and set off on journeys of escape.
5.50: pm LES READ 1 MINUT
Yau Ching/2009/Hong Kong/ 3 min/English subtitles
Ways of learning from a book of gender education in order to talk to your parents and teachers about controversial topics like using foul language and homosexuality.
6.00: pm LOST AND FOUND
Sherenik Jain/2009/ India/8 min/Silent
Delhi. 42 degrees. Two strangers. And a stimulating bumpy rides in a crowded local bus.
6.30 Pm: Music Night
Organized by Sahayatrika
International Film Selection by Bangalore Queer Film Festival, and Sahayatrika
for more information contact sahayatrika@gmail.com or call 9744955866
Sunday, May 9, 2010
IDAM 2 Convention for Sexuality Minority Rights & Queer Film Festival, Thrissur
IDAM 2
Convention for Sexuality Minority Rights
& Queer Film Festival
Discussion
Theatre
Film Festival
Cultural Programs
Music Night
Sahitya Akademi, Trissur
Convention & Perfromances, May 13, 2010
Queer Film Festival, May 14, 2010
9:30 am – 8:00 pm, both days
Performers and Speakers:
Sumathy Murthy, Joshua Muwiya, Lesbit Collective, Loveland Arts Society, Kalki Subramaniam, Malabar Cultural Forum, Dr. A.K. Jayasree, VOICE, J. Devika, Sunil Menon, Rekha Raj, Sunny Kapikkad, P.C. Harish, Reshma Bharadwaj, Shamshad Hussein, Annirudhan Vasudevan, Adv. Asha, Aryakrishnan Ramakrishnan, Shubha Chacko, Manohar Elavarthi, Revathi, Mini Sukumar, Bobby Kunhu, Maya S.
Organised by Sahayatrika
International Film Selection by Bangalore Queer Film Festival, and Sahayatrika
for more information contact sahayatrika@gmail.com or call 9744955866
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