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India gets first radio station dedicated to gay community
The country's lesbian, gay,transgender and bisexual (LGTB) community can now celebrate freedom of airwaves with a round-the-clock radio station dedicated specifically to them.
The country's lesbian, gay,transgender and bisexual (LGTB) community can now celebrate freedom of airwaves with a round-the-clock radio station dedicated specifically to them.
'Q Radio' which started operating from Bangalore this September claims to be the first radio station in India that is tailored for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender audience.
"LGBT is a large special interest group left out of main stream media and social representation and this is a natural fit to our vision. The LGBT need media representation and a common ground to gather their thoughts and spread them from one place," Anil Srivatsa, CEO and co-founder, Radiowalla.in, the master mind behind the station told PTI in an interview.
Radiowalla.in is an online radio portal operating over 30 channels, which try to cater to "under-served audiences".
Talking about how the idea of having a gay community specific radio station struck him, Srivatsa, says, "This was in 2009 during the time I did my late night talk show 'Between the sheets' on which now does not exist, when one of my topics had to do with homosexual experiences."
"This call-in talk show apparently made me the Gay Icon among the young Delhi gay population which of course I did not imagine until I was told. If one show meant so much to them then I am sure an entire channel dedicated to their perspectives would be a welcome development," says Srivatsa.
According to Srivatsa, there is need for specialised content in the mainstream media but its not necessary that the person not belonging to the 'target audience' can't be a part of it, hence Q radio will also be open to the 'non-LGTB' participants.
"Our content will focus on life in India from an LGBT perspective where non-LGBT participants can also interact wearing the same shades of the rainbow," he says.
