Arya Senapati

" 'So salty that Gandhi would start a march for me' is the line I made up for my Instagram bio to draw attention. Growing up queer in a small town Convent school, attention has been a constant part of my life. May it be getting it unwarranted when the bully at the playground asks you to go play with the girls (which of course is more fun and the gossip sessions are pretty amazing, I swear) or when the teacher strikes your name off the competitors list for the elocution competition because your hand gestures are too effeminate ( I am national debate winner now, so ---- it, sir). There has always been stares of disgust, ridicule or mere ignorance and confusion but the struggle of coming out of the closet as well the pile of not clothes but insecurities accumulated inside it brings a different kind of attention with it, in forms of care and protection provided by my best friend or acceptance and checking up by my brother or love and affection provided by my squad group, things are slowly changing these days but not entirely. It's still a blow in the eye to read a news headlines that says "The Government denies granting same sex marriage right" (Translation: bigotry is more important than identity). Put yourself in my shoe, imagine you love your country and want to stay here but some people in it and it's Govt have a problem with who you say "I do" to. It's almost disheartening. The fight is long but we should always remember, there's rainbow waiting at the end of rain and with even a handful of people listening to your story, taking out time to read this blog and empathizing and supporting, the end of tyranny looks close. "

-Arya Senapati.