Desi Club breaks down ‘Desi Edu-Gay-Tion’

BY KIYANNA NOEL Arts & Culture/Managing Editor

Globally, members of the LGBTQIA+ community have been outcast and criminalized for centuries. From being forbidden to wear certain clothing or falling in love with a non-traditional partner, many people have faced different levels of trauma and ostracism.

The Desi Club at SUNY Plattsburgh hosted “Desi Edu-Gay-Tion” as a way to inform students and faculty of how members of the LGBTQIA+ community are treated and the strides they are making to change life’s unfair circumstances.

Desi Club President Saanvi Moryani began the presentation by thanking the few people who showed up and stayed despite being unable to access the projec- tor in two rooms in the Angell College Center.

Moryani then stressed the importance of representation and open expression in films, whether it be in South Asia or other regions.

“Recognizing this diversity is crucial because it acknowledges that South Asia, like any other part of the world, encompasses a wide spectrum of identities beyond the commonly known ones,” Moryani said. “This recognition promotes inclusivity, fights stereotypes and fosters empathy, contributing to a more accepting and equal society in South Asia. Embracing this diversity is fundamental to advancing LGBTQIA+ rights and wellbeing in the region.”

After Moryani’s introduction on the different aspects of each part of the slideshow and acknowledging the gravity of inclusion, Shahad

Monir, one of the two event coordinators for Desi Club, spoke about the different kinds of gender.

Monir defined cisgender as a person whose identity is the same as the gender they were assigned at birth, gender neutral as someone who doesn’t stick to one particular gender, gender expression as expressing one’s gender with specific clothing or mannerisms and gender dysphoria is a feeling of distress when one’s gender at birth does not align with their gender identity.

Arshita Pandey, vice president of Desi Club, then highlighted the diverse LGBTQIA+ community located in South Asia.

“In South Asia, the LGBTQIA+ community is a significant and diverse part of the population. While specific statistics can vary, studies and surveys consistently indicate a substantial presence of LGBTQIA+ individuals across the region. These statistics underscore the importance of recognizing the rich tapestry of identities and experiences within South Asia,” Pandey said. “The LGBTQIA+ community in this region includes not only lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals but also individuals who identify as queer, questioning, intersex, asexual and many more. Each of these identities contributes to the vibrant mosaic of South Asian LGBTQIA+ experiences, making it crucial to understand and embrace the full spectrum of human diversity in this context.”

Jennifer Patron-burgos, secretary for Desi Club, then led a discussion on the history of LGBTQIA+ in South Asian countries.

“South Asian cultures have a rich history of acknowledg- ing non-binary genders and same-sex relationships. Many ancient texts and traditions in the region have recognized the existence of Hijras in India, Aravanis in South India and other gender-diverse identities. These cultures often assigned spiritual or societal roles to individuals who did not conform to binary gender norms. These roles could include blessings at births and weddings or singing and dancing at important life events,” Patron-burgos said. “Similarly, same-sex relationships, while not always explicitly mentioned, have been a part of South Asian literature, art and folklore for centuries, with examples found in texts like the Kama Sutra and stories of same-sex love in classical poetry.”