Happy Pride Month! As we near the end of June, I am sure you would have added some LGBTQIA+ books to your TBR and read a few too. Books that help normalize diverse identities. Books that celebrate the community.
As a part of Blogchatter‘s #CauseAChatter campaign, I have shared Must-Read LGBTQIA+ Non-Fiction Books and LGBTQIA+ Memoirs and Personal Narratives. A collection of diverse writing that empowers and inspires.
As more and more members of the community come forward to share their personal stories, they help those struggling to find a voice and hope. The memoirs also help create much-needed awareness and generate empathy.
Today I share with you another collection of LGBTQIA+ memoirs and personal narratives from India. In prose and in verse. Not just by the members of the community but also by allies. Books that are a must-read. Because reading diverse books should not be limited to just the Pride Month.
Queer Sapien
by Sharif D. Rangnekar
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Is queer ‘only’ about sexuality? Or is it a state of existence?
In a society where family, religion, caste, and class dictate how we live our lives, Sharif D. Rangnekar explores being queer in India. A collection of pieces on lived experiences. Some witty, some deeply personal. More than just a memoir, it is a social commentary on just how inclusive is contemporary India. The social and political issues, and more importantly, social justice.
The book is a must-read. Be sure to check out Straight to Normal: My Life as a Gay Man by Sharif D. Rangnekar by the author too.
A Gift of Goddess Lakshmi
by Manobi Bandopadhyay with Jhimli Mukherjee Pandey
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Born after two girls in a conservative family, Somnath always felt inadequate in his own body and questioned his identity. A fact the family refused to acknowledge.
A Gift of Goddess Lakshmi is an inspiring story of Manobi’s transformation from a man to a woman. The struggles and the unwavering spirit as she pursued her academics and went on to become the first transgender principal of a girls’ college. Finally defining her identity while inspiring many more.
Highly recommended.
I Am Vidya: A Transgender’s Journey
by Living Smile Vidya
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Living Smile Vidya, or Smiley, is an Indian trans woman actor, writer, director, and Dalit rights activist.
Originally written in Tamil and translated into English (along with six other languages), I am Vidya is a deeply personal story of Vidya’s journey as a transsexual. Tackling emotional and physical harassment and a complete lack of empathy. Rising above it all to establish her identity.
A difficult book to read, but a necessary one nonetheless.
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We Are Not The Others: Reflections of a Transgender Artivist
by Kalki Subramaniam
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I speak
because we need to be heard,
I write
because we need to be understood,
I dare
because we need to survive.
We Are Not The Others is a collection of poems (in English and some translated from Tamil), articles, stories, illustrations, monologues, letters, and conversations by the artivist. Reflecting the anger and injustice the transgender community has to endure every day. The complexities and the struggles.
Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind read.
The World That Belongs To Us: An Anthology of Queer Poetry from South Asia
by Aditi Angiras, Akhil Katyal
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‘Does loneliness have no borders?’ – Gee Semmalar
The World That Belongs To Us is the first-of-its-kind anthology that brings together the best of contemporary queer poetry from South Asia – from the subcontinent and its diasporas. Exploring a range of themes including desire, loneliness, sexual intimacy, caste, activism, family, politics, and many more.
Intimate, uplifting, and at times brutal, it is an essential read.
equALLY: Stories by Friends of the Queer World
by Srini Ramaswamy, Ramkrishna Sinha
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Allies are an important part of the LGBTQIA+ conversation. Supporting the community, raising awareness, and making a positive impact.
equALLY: Stories by Friends of the Queer World is a collection of 45 stories of influencers, corporate leaders, parents, teachers, and teenagers. Celebrating life experiences, perspectives, and sentiments of their journey to allyship.
Whether you are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community or want to be a better ally, do pick up this inspiring read.
What are your favorite LGBTQIA+ memoirs, personal narratives, or poetry pieces by Indian authors? Do share about them in the comments below.
Gender Identity & India – LGBTQIA+ Memoirs, Personal Narratives, Poetry, & More @blogchatter #CauseAChatter #Inclusivity #LGBTQ #BookChatter #BohoPonderings Click To Tweet
This post is part of Blogchatter’s CauseAChatter
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Monidipa Dutta.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a very small percentage of the sale at no cost to you.
Photo credit: Canva.com
June 24, 2023 @ 9:40 am
The world is a queer place, but there is space for everyone. And these books show us that. i would like to read about the transgender principal and the artivist. They have really broken the norms and found their feet in the world. When you see them on the road, begging for money, it’s disheartening to see their condition.
August 11, 2023 @ 9:38 pm
Exactly, Ambica. We need more such books.
June 24, 2023 @ 12:21 pm
Keeping my opinion little different this time. I will not talk about the books you selected as I know you are best in that. To me the lgbtqia community people are no different from us and a part of the human community. Those who call them as 3rd or other category my fight is against them… what gave them the power or audacity to call them different from us. Dont they breath like us, feel emotions like us, have food and witness the beauty of this earth like us….. are they not educated like us….. then what makes them different from us. Why need to celebrate a day specifically for this to establish their presence…. they are equally powerful and strong like us to create their own identity and position and are not dependent on a day dedicated just to say that they exist. I plea come out of this thought process and let us hug them and hold their hand in the journey called ” LIFE” like a friend and family.
August 11, 2023 @ 9:43 pm
Samata, I agree with your opinion that they are no different from us and are not dependent on a day dedicated just to say that they exist. In a perfect world, we wouldn’t need to celebrate a pride month or educate with diverse movies and reads. But let alone in India, even in the so-called first-world countries, the LGBTQIA+ community is not accepted. Not just the transgenders but primarily the gays, lesbians, transexuals, and asexuals because it is viewed apparently as a “choice”. Leading to members of the community suffering in silence or worse, ending their lives. Apart from celebrating them, Pride month helps create a safe place, makes them seen, and also helps connect with others who are struggling.
June 24, 2023 @ 7:07 pm
This is a lovely curation depicting the gender identity issues and queer struggle in India. Personally, I have had a lot of interactions with friends and patients both of who have struggled with accepting their sexuality and body and then facing the world to accept them. I would love to read Equally and ” A Gift of Goddess Lakshmi ” from this list to get a deeper understanding of their lives and challenges.
August 11, 2023 @ 9:45 pm
We need more allies for the community. A Gift of Goddess Lakshmi is a great read.
June 25, 2023 @ 11:08 am
Your range of reading always amazes me, Ritu. I never heard of these books by Indian authors in the LGBTQ community. We Indians forget our ancient epics which also had gays, and we accepted them in society. Somewhere down the line, we missed this, and it has led to so much prejudice.
June 25, 2023 @ 1:28 pm
As always, what an amazing curation Ritu… most of the books look inspiring and motivational as each of these people would have had to struggle for the most basic of identities… that of the gender. Even if I try putting myself in their place I can’t even remotely imagine how everyday must be a challenge for them. I have picked a couple from your list that I am going to get my hands on.
August 11, 2023 @ 9:49 pm
Thank you so much, Kaveri 😊. Reading about their experiences gives you goosebumps.
August 11, 2023 @ 9:48 pm
Thank you so much, Harjeet. 😊 Completely agree with your thoughts. High time we revisited the epics.
June 25, 2023 @ 1:08 pm
We need more such books that celebrate their lives. I have read We Are Not The Others and it is very hard hitting. I really want to read Manobi’s story.
August 11, 2023 @ 9:51 pm
Exactly. We barely have any for a lot of sections of the community.
June 25, 2023 @ 1:39 pm
Ritu, your reading choices always amaze me. Though I work with them, I have never come across any books written by Indian authors that delve into the LGBTQ community. It’s truly remarkable to see the diverse range of literature you explore.
August 11, 2023 @ 9:53 pm
Thank you so much, Anjali 😊 . I have shared more such book recommendations by Indian authors from the LGBTQ community. Do check them out,
June 25, 2023 @ 1:45 pm
I have alot of respect for their community and I feel such book will help people understand and gain the information they require to know. Good post
August 11, 2023 @ 9:54 pm
Thank you, Flavia 😊
June 25, 2023 @ 6:52 pm
Nice collection of books that talks about the struggle of the transgender community. The day when humanity is valued over all the difrerence. The world would be better for people like them too.
August 11, 2023 @ 9:55 pm
Absolutely Sivaranjini
June 25, 2023 @ 9:30 pm
Loved it. Thank you so much for the recommendations, I’m going to read them.
August 11, 2023 @ 9:55 pm
Thank you so much, Janaki 😊 . Do pick them up.
June 25, 2023 @ 10:01 pm
Amazing complications Ritu. Each one so different yet sounds so inspiring. Some maybe thought provoking even. As usual great recommendations. Keep showcasing your versatility in the topics you choose to read and keep inspiring!
August 11, 2023 @ 9:56 pm
Thank you so much for your kind words, Vasumathi 😊
June 25, 2023 @ 10:41 pm
Wow, that’s a brilliant collection of books. I haven’t sadly, read any of them. So, will definitely check them out. Thanks for the recommendation.
August 11, 2023 @ 9:56 pm
Thank you, Shalini 😊
June 25, 2023 @ 11:12 pm
I haven’t given a serious thought to read about queer issues and thoughts but it’s time that I should add some such books to my TBR. These are some great recommendations. Thanks!
August 11, 2023 @ 9:57 pm
Do pick them up, Varsha
June 30, 2023 @ 4:18 pm
We Indians have come a really long way in acceptance. I am all for live and let live. Sometimes my conservative friends get offended with my level of acceptance and non judgement. Will share this list of books with them.
August 11, 2023 @ 9:59 pm
The community needs its allies. I understand that some people do find it difficult to accept but it is not impossible.
July 3, 2023 @ 11:34 pm
I have a rec for you do check out Scarred by Riddhika Jain I really liked her work
August 11, 2023 @ 10:00 pm
Thanks Aastha
August 13, 2023 @ 11:20 pm
I hadn’t heard of any of these – thanks for sharing. It’s a great way to educate myself.