Khush: South Asian Lesbian and Gay Association

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Khush: South Asian Lesbian and Gay Association (Khush meaning "happy") was a queer collective activist organization in Canada geared towards South Asian men and women whose goal was to promote a better understanding of South Asian culture and values within the gay and lesbian community. [1] [2]

Contents

The organization operated from 1987 and 1998, and had an active web presence since the early 1990s. As asserted by Sandip Roy, "Khush constructed a "safe space" for both Indian gay men and lesbians online, during a time when offline or in-person contact between Indian queers for nonsexual purposes was deemed largely unimaginable.” [1]

Khush also sought to address the "othering" and exclusion of queer South Asians within scholarly work and the media, in terms of access, contacts, racism, etc. [1]

History

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1993

1994

Initiatives

Chhota Khayal

Chhota Khayal was a newsletter similar to Khush Khayal, but was in circulation for only two years. It was published three times a year, from 1992 to 1994. [4]

Desh Pardesh

Desh Pardesh (meaning "home away from home") was a "multidisciplinary arts festival functioning as a venue for underrepresented and marginalized groups within the South Asian diasporic community of Toronto". [5] It was a queer positive, feminist, antiracist, anti-imperialist, and anti-caste organization that operated from 1989 to 2001, and was sponsored by Khush. [5] [6]

The festival was funded by academic institutions, media and film boards, and government-sponsored grants for lesbian and gay organizations. [5]

Desh Pardesh closed down as a result of a financial crisis in 2001. [7]

Participants were encouraged to express themselves through writing, poetry, performing arts, film, photography, dancing, etc. [8]

Desh Pardesh had four operating principles: [8]

  1. Desh Pardesh strives to forge links among local South Asian artists and cultural producers in Ontario as well as with their counterparts across Canada and throughout the West.
  2. Desh Pardesh is lesbian and gay positive, feminist, anti-racist, anti-imperialist and anti caste/classist. Desh Pardesh exists to ensure that the voices and expressions of those constituencies in the South Asian community are provided with a community forum. In particular, independent artists, cultural producers and activists who are women, lesbians and gays, people with disabilities, working-class people, and seniors.
  3. Desh Pardesh is a secular organization that recognizes the historical, geographical, linguistic, and religious diversity within the South Asian community. Desh is opposed to all forms of religious fundamentalism, communalism, and works to forward the voices of all cultural and linguistic groups in the South Asian context, namely South Asians in the diaspora.
  4. Desh Pardesh works in concert with other communities, artists, and activists of colour with compatible objectives to make links between South Asian, First Nations and people of color cultures and communities.

Underlining Desh Pardesh was an intersectional approach within the politics of identity, race, sexuality, gender, class and ethnicity. [8]

Panels were also held to address issues such as living with AIDS, anti-racist organizing, the experience of exile, South Asian lesbians and gays, working class politics and culture, religious fundamentalism, communalism, etc. [6]

Desh Pardesh also published a quarterly zine of news, views, and reviews called Avec Pyar (meaning "with love"). [9] Each issue was published during the following years: [10]

Discovery '93: South Asian Gay Men's Conference

Discovery '93 was the first international conference for South Asian gay men held in 1993 by Khush to address issues such as gay bashing, racist harassment and job firings within both a Western and South Asian context. [11]

The conference brought together participants from various organizations in Toronto, including the Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention and the AIDS Committee of Toronto, both of which provided some funding for the conference. [12]

The conference involved a series of small, focused workshops as well as plenary sessions for sharing information among participants. [13]

Khayal Entertainment Guide

The Khayal Entertainment Guide was a comprehensive compilation of South Asian TV and radio programming that was started by Khush in 1993 and distributed to both members and non-members. [14]

Khush Khayal

Khush Khayal (Khush meaning "happy", and Khayal meaning a thought or opinion) was a quarterly publication, published from 1989 to 1994, that provided queer people of South Asian descent a medium for sharing thoughts and opinions within Canada. [2]

The publication was intended to provide readers with a sense of what moves, interests, and affects the South Asian queer community. The goal was to promote understanding of South Asian culture and values within the overarching lesbian and gay South Asian communities. [15]

Each volume was published during the following years: [16]

Khush Retreat

The Khush retreats were held as a forum to examine and discuss the goals and objectives of Khush for the prior and following years. [17]

The first retreat was held from October 1 to 2 of 1988, at Skitch Cottage. [17]

The second retreat was held from September 29 to October 1 of 1989, at Taoist Tai Chi Centre, in Orangeville. [18]

Khush Rethink

Also known as Renewal Day, Khush Rethink was held on March 29, 1998. [19]

The meeting was held to assess the need for Khush to exist, to prioritize certain needs, determine the organizational structure, services, time, skills, and money required to operate the organization. [19]

At this meeting, it was decided that Khush would be shut down. [19]

Salaam Toronto

Salaam Toronto was the name of a fair geared towards South Asian men and women, held from 1988 to 1993. It was formed and facilitated under Khush's direction. [20]

The event encouraged South Asian dancers, writers, artists, and poets to express their work. [20]

The goal of the event was to increase awareness about South Asian cultures within South Asian and queer communities. The event was also intended to foster a supportive environment in Toronto for South Asian lesbians and gays. [20]

Multiple groups were invited to participate and set up, decorate, and staff their own tables. These groups included the South Asian Women's Group, the Riverdale Immigrant Women's Centre, Trikone, Montreal South Asians, Lavayna, Kashmir Gifts, Masrani's Rest, This Ain't the Rosedale Library, and Glad Day, among others. [20]

Activities

Grassroots: Fifth International Lesbian and Gay People of Colour Conference

Khush was invited to the 5th International Lesbian and Gay People of Colour Conference, the theme of which was "Grassroots", and was held in 1988. [21]

The conference was structured around a series of workshops, panels and cultural programs that deal with issues that are important to lesbian and gay people of colour such as sex, AIDS, sexism, racism, classism, relationships, family, parenting, homophobia, taking care of the self and celebrating South Asian diversity and sexuality. [21]

International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission

Khush was invited to participate in the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission in 1992, which was formed to document, expose, and protest human rights and abuses against homosexual people worldwide. [22]

The information provided by Khush was subsequently used: [22]

Toronto Mayor's Committee on Community and Race Relations

Khush was invited to a meeting between lesbian and gay community organizations and members of the Toronto Mayor's Committee on Community and Race Relations. [23]

The meeting was held on October 2, 1989, at the Toronto City Hall. Topics discussed included equal opportunity policies, an annual equality day, and pride day. [23]

National Conference of Indian Activists

The National Conference of Indian Activists was held on May 23 to 24, 1992, and was intended to be a workshop to discuss important issues in relation to the South Asian queer community. These issues included the coming out process, visibility, political activism, racism, the AIDS crisis in India, and HIV and immigration issues in the U.S., among others. [24]

The Naz Project

The Naz Project was founded in 1991 in London. It established itself in New Delhi, India, via an accompanying group called the Naz Foundation, in 1996. [1]

The Naz Project established a charitable trust in India that aimed to provide help and resources in South Asia. Khush was asked to provide financial support for the organization. [25]

Khush was also asked to attend a conference held from December 27 to 31, 1994. The conference was sponsored by The Naz Project and entitled "Emerging Gay Identities: Implications for HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health". [26]

The objectives of the Naz Project were: [25]

Pride

Khush attended Pride during the years of 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1997, and 1998, until Khush disbanded.

South Asian Lesbian and Gay History Archiving Project (1994)

Khush became involved in The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives|South Asian Lesbian and Gay History Archiving Project in 1994, which documented the contribution of South Asian lesbians and gay men to the growth and development of the lesbian, gay, and South Asian communities in metropolitan Toronto. [27]

Unity Among Asians Conference

Khush was invited to the Unity Among Asians Conference, which was held on August 19 to 21, 1988. [28]

The conference was intended to provide participants with action plans to strengthen individual groups through networking and sharing personal experiences. Small workshops were facilitated to address issues such as self-esteem, racism, historic events, and identity, among others. [28]

Involvement

Khush has also been involved and associated with the following organizations:

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Mitra, Rahul; Gajjala, Radhika (2008-10-01). "Queer Blogging in Indian Digital Diasporas A Dialogic Encounter". Journal of Communication Inquiry. 32 (4): 400–423. doi:10.1177/0196859908321003. ISSN   0196-8599. S2CID   145141573.
  2. 1 2 Burkhart, Geoffrey (2003-09-01). "Collective and Individual Identities: South Asian Gay Men in North America". Sociological Bulletin. 52 (2): 244–262. doi:10.1177/0038022920030205. JSTOR   23620337. S2CID   151838275.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 (1997, November). Khush Khayal [Newsletter]. Box 4. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  4. ↑ (1992). Chhota Khayal [Newsletter]. Box 2. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  5. 1 2 3 Ameeriar, Lalaie (2012-09-01). "The Sanitized Sensorium". American Anthropologist. 114 (3): 509–520. doi:10.1111/j.1548-1433.2012.01449.x. ISSN   1548-1433.
  6. 1 2 Khosla, P. (1993). Profile: Desh Pardesh [Newspaper Article]. Box 1. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  7. ↑ Fernandez, Sharon (2006-03-30). "More Than an Arts Festival: Communities, Resistance, and the Story of Desh Pardesh". Canadian Journal of Communication. 31 (1). doi:10.22230/cjc.2006v31n1a1778. ISSN   0705-3657.
  8. 1 2 3 (1992, October). Desh Pardesh [Document]. Box 1. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  9. ↑ (1996, September). Avec Pyar [Zine]. Box 1. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives. Toronto.
  10. ↑ (1990-1998). Avec Pyar [Zine]. Box 1. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  11. ↑ Srinivasan, B. (1993). South Asian gays meet to strategize [Newspaper Article]. Box 2. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  12. ↑ Rau, K. (1993). South Asian men's Discovery '93 [Newspaper Article]. Box 2. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  13. ↑ (1993). Discovery '93 [Letter]. Box 2. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  14. ↑ (1993, October 4). Khayal Entertainment Guide [Document]. Box 2. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  15. ↑ (1989, February). Khush Khayal [Newsletter]. Box 4. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  16. ↑ (1989-1994). Khush Khayal [Newsletter]. Box 4. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  17. 1 2 (1988). Khush Retreat 1 [Document]. Box 1. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  18. ↑ (1989). Khush Retreat 2 [Document]. Box 1. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  19. 1 2 3 (1998, March 29). Khush RethinkRethink [Document]. Box 1. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  20. 1 2 3 4 (1988, December 4). Salaam Toronto: Proposal [Document]. Box 2. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  21. 1 2 (1988). Grassroots [Letter]. Box 3. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  22. 1 2 (1992, January 24). International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission [Letter]. Box 4. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  23. 1 2 (1989, September 19). Toronto Mayor's Committee on Community and Race Relations [Letter]. Box 3. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  24. ↑ Singh, K. (1992, April 5). National Conference of Indian Activists [Letter]. Box 4. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  25. 1 2 (1994). The Naz Project [Flyer]. Box 4. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  26. ↑ (1994). Emerging Gay Identities [Document]. Box 4. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  27. ↑ (1994, August 14). [Letter]. Box 4. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  28. 1 2 (1988). Unity Among Asians [Document]. Box 2. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  29. ↑ (1994). Ahimsa: South Asian Men Against Violence [Flyer]. Box 2. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  30. ↑ (1991). Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention [Brochure]. Box 2. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  31. ↑ (1988). Asian Lesbians of Toronto [Document]. Box 2. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  32. ↑ (1991). Coalition of Agencies Serving South Asians [Document]. Box 3. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  33. ↑ (1989, October 5). Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ontario [Letter]. Box 3. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  34. ↑ (1993). Dismantling Invisibility [Flyer]. Box 2. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  35. ↑ (1991, February 14). Equality for Gays and Lesbians Everywhere [Letter]. Box 4. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  36. ↑ (1990). Gay Asian AIDS Project [Flyer]. Box 3. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  37. ↑ (1988, February 25). Gay Community Dance Committee [Letter]. Box 3. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  38. ↑ (1993). SamiYoni [Flyer]. Box 3. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  39. ↑ (1991). South Asian Fellowship [Flyer]. Box 4. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  40. ↑ (1989). South Asian Interagency Network [Letter]. Box 4. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  41. ↑ (1987). South Asian Women's Group [Flyer]. Box 4. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  42. ↑ (1993). South Asian Lesbian and Gay Association [Document]. Box 4. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  43. ↑ (1989, May 29). Shakti: South Asian Lesbian and Gay Network [Letter]. Box 4. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
  44. ↑ (1986). Trikone: Lesbian and Gay South Asians [Brochure]. Box 4. The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto.
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