GHOOMTA HUA AAINA

 Last month, the outreach team of NAZ & Humrahi received an invitation from a group of men who have sex with men in Meerut. The team went on a guided tour to their local cruising spots in this growing city in the National Capital Region. Experiences were quite different from what we keep seeing in Delhi- in particular the men were more assertive and they told the visiting team that they never have sex for free even with policemen. The men also shared that they could demand a higher rate than that of female sex workers. Not to the surprise of the team members, the basic HIV awareness was virtually non-existent and condoms were seldom used.

At a time, when our Delhi is passing through a transitional re-organization of the cruising corners, an effort has been made to create a detour to trans-Yamuna. Arambh under the banner of YAAR society has initiated a walk-in centre for gay and lesbian people, a library and one-to-one counseling. Add to it, disco party every Saturday from eight onwards. Check it out it may be worth a drive to our Gopikas across the river, incase you are through with the snobbery of South Delhiwallahs.

Controversy over HUMRAZ posters...

Who is this man wearing tie, and a smile to complement it ?? Delhi woke up one Sunday morning to see these posters all over the cruisy Connaught Place, busy bus-stops and the loos full of lust. These posters were meant to promote HUMRAZ, the telephonic help-line facility established by Humrahi with support from Naz. The response was overwhelming but the volunteers were divided over the inclusion of this gentleman picked up from the computer pictures. It depicted an urban man, immaculately dressed up with well-kempt hair holding the telephone receiver. Some argued that it alienated a vast section of the society, discouraging the Hindi-speaking Delhizens to dial. Soon, others joined in by comparing it to typical 'Party-line' promos you see in the cable these days. Further the word 'GAY' in all capital letters too was attacked by the capital queens finding the design too pre-mature to be considered for a help-line in its teething stage.

Well, all said and done, it was great exhilarating experience for the enthu-lot of the volunteers on that Saturday night, when they went all over the places pasting posters, totally ignorant of the inquiring gaze of confused onlookers. They could hardly comprehend, what these Maruti born, Angrezi speaking people are upto ? Just like they could not comprehend what the word GAY means !!

Much before Delhi could witness the brutal tragedy of Uphaar Cinema, the fire men based at the concerned fire-station were seen busy cruising in their neighbourhood park. This particular park seems to be patented by a small set of Delhi designers, who frequent these manicured gardens to mingle with the cornucopia of Haryanvi hunks belonging to the fire-brigade, CRPF, BSF, Delhi Police, ITBP, and defence services. As an aftermath of the Uphaar tragedy, one hardy sees these dutiful fire-fighters anymore. It seems to have disciplined these un-sung heroes extinguishing fire during and after their duty hours.

Infact, Punjab Police appears to have taken the torch, as a big unit of young and the restless Sikhs are here in Delhi to provide security to the family of slain Afghan President - Nazibullah.

Pay party is one concept, which is yet to find buyers in the Delhi social scene. All along party goers have been pampered by the sumptuous spreads and easy alcohol laid out by the humble hosts. "And when a pay party was organised on HOLI, these socialites missed the occasion on some or the other pretext ", remarks one of Darpan's reader, who expressed a big shock at the spate of gate crashing in his birthday party.

Whereas our counterparts in Mumbai take pride in the sheer strength of community turning up to celebrate the 'homo-sociality' ( commented one celebrated artist in the mystic islands of Madh ). Going at this rate, one can say for the pay parties ' Dilli abhi kafi door hai...'

A group of masseurs working in a South Delhi parlour recently approached NAZ volunteers to refer their services to the gay community. Needless to add, their request was declined on the grounds of their poor awareness on safe sex....

 MEETING SCHEDULE

Humrahi meets every Saturday of the month at NAZ office located at D-45 Gulmohar Park, New Delhi, (INDIA). The timings of the meetings are 7.00 PM to 8.30 PM.

If you are interested in volunteering for the Telephonic Help-line HUMRAZ, Please call at 6851970 /6851971 between 10 AM to 5.30 PM on working days. Second batch of Counseling due in August.

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THE EDITOR

DARPAN

PO Box-3910,

Andrews Ganj,

New Delhi-49 INDIA

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