Homosexuality is not mental disorder. The Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), removed Homosexuality as a disorder in it’s third edition, in 1973.

There’s nothing abnormal about homosexuality.

However, in India the society is still very slowly accepting queer people. Being queer has been thought of as devience and has been stigmatised, and while we’re slowly progressing towards a homophobia-free country, this is a dream that might take a while to come true.

Talking to other members of the queer Community might help you gain clarity and, may act as a support system. However if someone feels a need for professional help, it is best to approach a queer affirmative therapist.

A queer affirmative therapist is one who gives importance to acceptance and authenticity in terms of a client’s sexual orientation and gender.  Such therapists also help their clients be comfortable with their identities, and synthesize it with other aspects of daily life.

Yes! Understanding oneself is a never ending process in life, and it’s okay to be confused. Take your time, talk to people, and explore! 

An ally  is a person who is not a part of a minority community, but supports them and their cause. Such people use their privilege to make the world a safer space for people of this community, and to give them space to speak up and exist in larger spaces in the society.

You can be an ally to the queer community by respecting their cause, educating yourself and people about the community, giving them the space to express themselves, and being  non judgmental.

Being an ally also includes making a  conscious effort to acknowledge your privilege, and use it to help the minority community in question.

Coming is out is a process by which queer folk share their identity with people around them, or people they trust.

 This is a very important milestone in an individual’s personal journey of acceptance of themselves, and acceptance by people around them.

Coming out can be an emotional awakening. However,  please note that if  your queerness compromises with your safety, coming out should not be a priority, Being safe is always the priority.

This is a very personal and subjective experience. There is no questionnaire or a list of items that can determine your sexual orientation or gender identity. You can always talk to queer people to get a better understanding of what and how  you feel . 

The process of ‘coming out’ to oneself is unique for everyone, and cannot be generalized. 

We use pronouns with our names because pronouns help communicate one’s gender and validate their identity. Further, pronouns help normalise that gender isn’t inherently obvious,  that gender can’t be assumed, and that gender is a spectrum.

Yes! Asexual people can love and be in relationships.  Asexual people can experience romantic, emotional and aesthetic attraction.  They just might engage in little to no sexual activity, since they experience little to no sexual attraction.

Contrary to popular belief, bisexual folx aren’t confused.  Neither is Bisexuality a phase for them. And no, they can’t  give you a percentage of how much they like men compared to women.