Queerala

Queerala, a registered community based Organisation (CBO) for Malayali LGBTIQ people,[1] gives adequate support to Malayali persons who belong to the sexual and gender minorities. Queerala originally started in May 2013 as a secret Facebook page where closeted LGBTQAI+ community members met over the internet.[2] Since its start of operations, Queerala has been an active platform for the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community[3][4] in Kerala and India and focuses on various awareness campaigns on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity/Expression and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC). Queerala's representatives has been marking its presence, in areas of literature, art, cultural spaces, academic discourses as well, besides conducting case studies on issues pertaining to sexual orientation and gender identity.[5] They also focus on sensitisation on SOGIESC inclusive healthcare services, educational curriculum, workplace policies and local self governance.

Major Operations[6]

Queerala, with its association with Human Rights Friendly lawyers, support LGBTIQ persons who seek legal aid for various human rights concerns.

Peer Counselling and Helpline

Queerala's helpline is operational and aids queer persons to get connected with peer persons, counselors, psychiatrists etc. Queerala has helped start multiple LGBTQAI+ support groups in colleges. By 2018, two such recognised student groups were set up:[7]

1) Umeed in IIM Kozhikode

2) Coming Out Club in the Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod.

Queerala Helpline : +91 7012503861[8]

Case Studies and Research

Queerala encourages and support research enthusiasts, who follow ethical practices of research methodology, to take up qualitative studies pertaining to LGBTIQ lives

Engagement with Faith Groups

Considering the challenges faced[9] by most LGBTIQ persons from the faith and sexuality, Queerala engages with various faith based collectives like NCCI (Nation Council of Churches in India) for dialogues on Inclusive Churches,[10] Faith versus Sexuality etc.

Projects

Wiki Loves Pride: LGBT Edit-a-thon

A one-day program[11] organised in collaboration with Wikimedia India Chapter, the edit-at-hon enabled its participants[12] to include LGBT related articles and terminologies to Wikipedia, both in Malayalam and English.

Homomorphism I

Homomorphism is an art attempt by team Queerala to bring the less depicted notions of same-sex intimacy. The first edition of homomorphism hada round 70 art works by 5 Malayali Queer artists

Homomorphism II

Homomorphism II[14] was, a follow-up to the first edition of the art project by Queerala, and the second edition focused on same-sex desire and the social positions associated with same-sex lovers. Held at Kerala Museum Homomorphsim II had 7 participating artists.

Quest 2016

Quest 2016[15] was a Two Day National Seminar, held at Center for Development Studies, Trivandrum. The seminar had dialogues[16] on Queer lives and paper presentations by researchers from across India

Q-Loid 2019

Q-Loid was a One Day LGBTIQ Film Festival organized by Queerala in July, 2019. Along with queer-themed film screenings, the event also had panel discussions on related topics. The festival venue was Kerala Museum, Kochi.

Etymology

Queerala gets its name from Queer + Kerala. The community emphasises on creating awareness[17] in society regarding LGBTIQ issues, with focus on queer lives in Kerala.

References
  1. "A get-together of families of LGBT people". The Hindu. 6 July 2017. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  2. "The Rainbow Nest – Via Kochi". Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  3. "Rainbow out in the sky". The New Indian Express. 11 September 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  4. Harikrishnan, Charmy (7 August 2016). "Why CBFC refused to certify Malayalam film 'Ka Bodyscapes'". Economictimes.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 19 June 2017 – via The Economic Times.
  5. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "Here's how Queerala is slowly becoming the most important space for LGBTIQ+ individuals". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  7. "Here's how Queerala is slowly becoming the most important space for LGBTIQ+ individuals". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  8. "QueerALA". queerala.org. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  9. "After years, Maya prayed in a church - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  10. Kuriakose, Jijo (11 February 2017). "Church Responses to Sexuality – Consultation". Queerala.org. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  11. Staff Reporter (17 November 2014). "Wikipedia to hold edit-a-thon on LGBT issues in Kochi". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  12. en:Wikipedia:Meetup/Kerala/Wiki_Loves_Pride_Workshop,_Kochi, oldid 642354846
  13. "Exploring the many hues of homosexuality". The Hindu. 24 November 2015. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  14. Ameerudheen, T. A. "As India's top court decides on Section 377, Kochi art show helps understand same-sex intimacy". Scroll.in. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  15. "Quest 2016". Quest 2016. 16 December 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  16. Staff Reporter (17 December 2016). "Seminar flags off dialogue on queer issues". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  17. "A Gathering with Much Difference". The New Indian Express. 1 September 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  • Media related to Queerala at Wikimedia Commons
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