Being Gay and Asian has always been a taboo subject in the Asian community. Social exclusion and ‘the closet’ were once the only options, but are things finally changing?

Two years ago saw the first huge Asian presence at Pride and there are now more Asian gay support networks, club nights and festivals then ever before. But has the Asian community come to terms with the fact that there are some individuals who are gay and proud and will not settle to hide behind falsities or masks?

Desi DNA sends Pablo Sat-Bhambra to meet three gay Asian women who are celebrating and exploring sexuality through their work without compromise, and investigate whether they have broken down barriers, challenged attitudes and opened paths to a road less traveled.

Film director Pratibha Parmer explains why she wanted to make, Nina’s Heavenly Delights, an Asian lesbian comedy drama which celebrates Curries Kilts, Queens. She also talks about what the Asian gay scene was like when she was growing up and how her sexuality informs her work.

One person who has captured the British Asian queer experience in her photographs is Poulomi Desai, a visual and bisexual artist whose work is best described as ‘in your face’ and daring. She discusses her book ‘Read Threads’ which explores a range of provocative photographs examining themes of race, identity and sexuality.

Lesbian relationship stories have inspired the poems, plays and novels of Maya Chowdhry, and award winning poet and author. She describes what compelled her to produce ‘Bitch Lit’, an anthology of smart ‘n’ sassy short stories that celebrate female anti heroes, and if her characters are an extension of herself.

Useful Links

Diva Magazine
USURP
Stonewall
Nina's Heavenly Delights