Travelling should be an inclusive and exciting experience for everyone. However, LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples face different degrees of unique challenges while considering and planning a trip to ensure a safe journey. Research conducted by Booking.com in 2024 revealed that for 86 per cent of LGBTQIA+ travellers in India, being part of th
07 July,2025 01:41 PM IST | Mumbai | Maitrai AgarwalThe visual identity of Pride is tied to a rainbow, vivid in all its glory, as if proclaiming: We’re queer, and we’re here. The sentiment is echoed by a section of the LGBTQIA+ community who turns to fashion and a sociable personality to channel their uninhibited queerness. In pursuit of their unapologetic selves, the bold thrive among c
30 June,2025 02:50 PM IST | Mumbai | Maitrai AgarwalDuring promotions for his new film My Melbourne, an anthology, filmmaker Onir was asked if he had “done enough queer stories.” He found the question bizarre and indicative of industry bias. “I’ve made more straight films than queer ones,” he told Mid-Day. “There were three other directors sitting with me at the
26 June,2025 08:25 AM IST | Mumbai | Athulya NambiarIn India, Pride has increasingly become a symbol of visibility — rainbows, parades, and gimmicky slogans that flood our social media feeds and streets. But beyond the vibrant displays lies a much deeper, personal journey for queer persons across the country. Each LGBTQIA+ individual exists at the intersection of multiple identities and
22 June,2025 11:32 AM IST | Mumbai | Maitrai AgarwalEveryone who would call Shivani and Payal would address them as “Sir”. The shock would come later at the face-to-face meeting. Despite going through several gender-affirming surgeries, vaginoplasty, hormone therapies, and chest feminisations, there was still something holding them back from being completely female. “I got my sex
22 June,2025 08:02 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika GondhalekarPoets of Mumbai, in collaboration with Apre Art House, is conducting a special Pride poetry walk, The Weight of Breath, this weekend. Participants will be able to explore an insightful exhibition tour, followed by a 15-minute writing session, and then a poetry circle where everyone shares what they’ve written. The art exhibition A Pound of Fe
20 June,2025 09:39 AM IST | Mumbai | Minal SanchetiIt’s that time of the year when rainbow hues take over social media, and not so subtly announce that Pride Month is here. While the absence of nuance is an everyday reality in the reportage of LGBTQIA+ lived experiences, it is woefully evident during the month of June as organisations try to capitalise on rainbow washing. It takes more than a
18 June,2025 09:47 AM IST | Mumbai | Maitrai AgarwalModern Family star Aubrey Anderson-Emmons recently announced that she is bisexual. The actress came out to the world, and it was the most iconic announcement. Best known for her role as Lily Tucker-Pritchett in the beloved sitcom took to her Instagram account to share the news on Monday. Ever since the internet, especially the fans of the show, hav
17 June,2025 07:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentArtificial Intelligence is becoming an unexpected but powerful ally to the LGBTQiA+ community. Tech today can give you a sense of comfort and safety. Focusing on mental health with a meaningful connection, here are three apps using AI to support queer individuals in unique ways. Eva AI Designed for the LGBTQiA+ community, Eva AI is an AI-powered
15 June,2025 11:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Team SMDCrude is not the mood No, Chad, we don’t want to see your nudes or send any before we’ve even had one decent conversation. Explicit or intrusive questions about the body can be especially triggering for a lot of queer folks. Keep the spicy texts and photos for later, what really gets the heart racing is when we see someone genuinely in
15 June,2025 09:39 AM IST | Mumbai | Debjani PaulLong before Pride, there was presence. Mumbai’s queer community carved out space for itself quietly, cleverly, and often in plain sight. They met under the cover of trees in parks, signalled each other with roses at cafes, and socialised in the shadows of bars that never asked questions. Today, the city has Pride marches, film festival
15 June,2025 08:24 AM IST | Mumbai | Junisha DamaADVERTISEMENT
