Mumbai Kashish film fest: Parents of LGBTQ members will volunteer at event

The film festival will have them encouraging other parents to accept their children.

This year’s Kashish Mumbai International Queer Film Festival, to be held from May 23 to May 27, will be different. Reason: Parents of members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community will volunteer at the event.

Festival director Sridhar Rangayan addresses the media about the ninth Kashish film festival at the Mumbai Press Club on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. (Pratik Chorge/HT Photo)

“We have enough volunteers. But seeing us in the organising team will motivate others to get their parents along and make them a part of the group,” said Padma Iyer, founding member of Sweekar, a parent support group for LGBTQ, who will be among the six parent volunteers.

The film festival will have a discussion where parents will speak about their group and encourage other parents to accept their children. “Our main motto is to fight against section 377. There are a lot of parents who have accepted their children, but will not publicly acknowledge it because of the stigma attached to it. We want to talk to them through this discussion,” said Aruna Desai, HR professional.

Sridhar Rangayan, festival director, said parents will manage registrations, guests and hospitality and host events. “These parents have been a great support group and integral part of the community. It has always been a dream to expand the festival and get various communities involved,” said Rangayan.