Pride Month

LGBTQ Stories from India

/ read / June 1, 2025 / Spotlight

June is celebrated the world over as Pride Month, a time to show solidarity for those who face discrimination for their gender identity or sexual orientation. At Sarmaya, we’re exploring the lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-queer spectrum through the lens of Indian history and art. We’re also speaking to experts from the LGBTQ community on the role of archives like ours in carrying forward the spirit of Pride, all year long.

Queer Eye: How Indian archives can be more inclusive

In this interview series, three experts tell us how Indian history can be interpreted through an inclusive queer lens

Bahuchara Mata – An Indian Trans Icon

How did a Mother Goddess from Gujarat become a patron saint for India’s hijra community?

Making queer history visible

In conversation with Mira Brunner of QAMRA, one of India’s only dedicated LGBTQ+ archives

“Preserving the papers of LGBT writers, artists is important”

In conversation with Dr Ruth Vanita, scholar of gender and sexuality in Indian and English literature

‘A History Of Desire In India’ by Madhavi Menon

Prof Menon dissected ideas of heterosexuality versus desire between Indian men, especially in the context of Lord Ayyappan

Bhupen Khakhar and the Queering of Modern Art in India

At the time when the declaration could cost an Indian man dearly, a young gay chartered accountant from Mumbai found a safe space in art