I was on Facebook one October morning and  I suddenly noticed a really curious thing.  Several of my friends had donated their status to an event titled “National Coming Out Day”. I thought to myself, ‘What’s that about?’ 

A quick Google search and a few mouse clicks later, I found that National Coming Out Day originated in the US in 1988 and October 11 is now an annual celebration that encourages LGBT people and their supporters to live open and honest lives. How cool is that! 

So many of us live dual lives at home, at work and even with our closest of friends. We constantly live in fear of being ‘outed’ and losing the ones we love most. We exist in the hope that someday we can live open lives.

The repeal on Article 377 turned on the faucets of 150 years of repression and there is no turning them off. Our actual fight begins now. As we have become more visible to society, there are widespread protests. For the first time all the religious sects are coming together on a single platform to oppose us, when they would usually fight amongst each other. 

So changing the law is not the answer to our country’s problems. There is a lot of advocacy work that needs to be done, especially amongst those who influence society.  

The more we as LGBT people tell our stories and engage the straights in our lives, the  closer we are to achieving equality. 

We need to make every day ‘National Coming Out Day'! 

Editor, TQC 
 
A couple of months ago, a group of friends while sipping on wine, deliberated on what more could be done for the queer community of Pune. As the wine flowed, so did our ideas!TQC was conceived that evening.

We knew it would be powerful. We knew it would be effective. We knew it would impact a lot of lives.

Yet, never in our wildest dreams did we imagine that in the first month of its launch, TQC would touch the lives of over 500 readers across 6 continents. Such is the might of the global queer network.

This network is a very powerful force that can facilitate change, when we focus our collective energies towards it!

We live in very exciting times wherein the queer community has experienced more change in attitude, acceptance and levels of tolerance in the last couple of years, than it has done in over a century. We need to ensure that this impetus is maintained. Our final goal is the change in legislation, nothing less.

Each of us needs to engage in positive dialogue whenever possible. We need to educate. We need to enable society to understand us better. We are pivotal in facilitating this change.

Let us make the most of NOW, to ensure we make it a better place, for you and for me.


Editor, TQC

 
Prides celebrated in Delhi-Bengaluru-Kolkata-Chennai. The tumultuous verdict from Delhi High Court. The euphoric victory parties. The launch of pink enterprises. The phenomenal ‘Queer Azadi March’ in August. The last two months have seen a whirlwind of progress in the queer movement across the country. And we confirm that Pune is definitely not going to be left behind!

This City has always been traditional and progressive at the same time. Poised between the past and the future, Pune holds hope and potential for many, irrespective of social status or sexual preference. This is one more medium of expression and celebration of freedom!


We are pleased to announce the launch of TQC (The Queer Chronicle), Pune’s own monthly e-magazine that is that is queer-centric and queer friendly.


TQC is the first city-focused e-magazine in India that aims to keep you abreast of the buzz in our own city, Pune. With exhibitions, interviews, restaurants, holiday destinations, parties, businesses, health issues, investment advice (all, of course, from an LGBT point of view), TQC is an information packed capsule and is a ‘must-have’ for every queer Puneiite and for queer visitors to Pune.


Happy reading! And Gay Ho!


Editor, TQC