LGBT to get more services: report

The country’s Lesbian Gay Bisexuals and Transgender (LGBT) community are in for more parties and will have access to better travel services over the next few years, according to a report released by MSLGroup India, a communication agency, on Friday, Mugdha Variyar reports.

The country’s Lesbian Gay Bisexuals and Transgender (LGBT) community are in for more parties and will have access to better travel services over the next few years, according to a report released by MSLGroup India, a communication agency, on Friday.

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The report titled ‘Out of the closet and into the marketplace’ looks at the birth of India’s pink economy, which caters to consumers from the LGBT community. “While there is no boom in the pink economy in India, there are several apparel brands and travel services coming up to cater to the community,” said Ashraf Engineer, head of content at MSLGroup India.

As per the report, some of the services that have become popular include apparel stores such as Azaad Bazaar and D’Kloset, the online gay literature book store Queer Ink and several party services. “The community spends more on self-consumption than an average Indian consumer. This will encourage more businesses,” said Harish Iyer, gay rights activist.

After homosexuality was decriminalised three years ago, several businesses have been tapping into the economic potential of the community. “We have been conducting parties for the gay community every month for the last two years and they have been very popular,” said Anthony Fernandes, manager, Banana Bar, Khar. Moreover, the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association has listed the Indian gay travel industry as a destination for gay travellers.