Archive for the category Personal Stories

No Room for Hatred: A Mother Writes

By Chhanda Dutta Jul 18 2013 14 Comments

Chhanda Dutta speaks of her journey towards unconditional acceptance of her son Avinaba.

I Shall Overcome

By Jo Jun 30 2013 10 Comments

Jo, a gay woman and doctoral student in Chennai, reflects on the struggle to be true to oneself and one's love, against all odds.

Prashanth recounts his personal journey over the past year: a year that has given him confidence to accept who he is, confidence to drop plans of marriage to a girl, and confidence to come out to a really close friend.

No Matter What Happens

By Pink Me Apr 9 2013 1 Comment

The author, a member of the Orinam list, reflects on how she managed to overcome several depression that was linked, in part, to her struggles to accept her gayness.

Bharatham is my love, Mohini is who I am

By Taejha Feb 13 2013 4 Comments

Everything seemed so auspicious. I was bathed in turmeric powder and decorated, my father made me wear my paatti’s Pathakkam. A fresh veshti was draped around my waist in the kshatriya fashion. The moist and sweet-scented smear of Sandalwood paste on…

My Valentine

By Vinodhan Feb 12 2013 3 Comments

I have been trying to have relationships for many years now. I mean romantic relationships, each of which I have entered always with the great conviction that it will last for the rest of my life. After many trials and errors,…

The original L Word

By Orinam Feb 12 2013 Post comment

Essays, poems and a short story on love for V-Day 2013

Dykotomy: growing up lesbian in India

By Samira Obeid Feb 3 2013 19 Comments

I lived in Chennai, India, for 23 years. I’ve never been in the closet. Well, not really. I’ve always been butch — short hair, boys’ clothes, a gentleman’s manner, and of course, a way with the ladies. But in India, not being in the closet doesn't necessarily mean being out of it.