To celebrate Pride Month i.e. June 2020, at AYA, we organised a writing competion on the Sheroes platform. Here are the LGBTQ stories, expressions and words of solidarity, which were submitted by the talented women writers of Sheroes.
1. Special Mention for Hindi Poetry
by: Sangeeta Agrawal
#WritewithAYA
कुछ हम अलग से हैं
हाँ हाँ अलग से हैं
लगता है हम कुछ खास से हैं
खास से हैं खास से हैं
देखते हैं हम भी सपने सारे
हमें लगते अपने जैसे ही प्यारे
हाँ हाँ अपने जैसे ही प्यारे
एक दूजे पर प्यार लुटाते
हमें सारे रंग हैं भाते
सारे हां हां सारे हैं भाते
प्यार हम इंसान से ही तो करते
फिर क्यों हजार सवालों के घेरे में हम हैं घिरते
बोलो बोलो क्यूँ हैं घिरते
तकलीफें हर कदम पर हमने हैं पायी
पर हिम्मत से बढ़ समाज में जगह है बनायी
हाँ हाँ हमने जगह है बनायी
खूबसूरत रंगों से भरी आया(AYA) दुनिया है हमारी
हमारी एकजुटता देखे दुनिया सारी
हां हां आया की दुनिया हमारी
हमें लेकर जमाना अब बदल रहा
मुझको भी सारे अधिकार अब दे रहा
दे रहा हां हां अब दे रहा ।।
2. For my Queer Sister
by: Achala Nagar
#WritewithAYA
A sister is someone who loves you from the heart.
No matter how much you argue, you cannot be drawn apart.
She is a joy that cannot be taken away.
Once she enters your life, she is there to stay.
A friend who helps you through difficult times,
Her comforting words are worth much more than dimes.
A partner who fills your life with laughs and smile,
These memories last for miles and miles.
When she is by your side, the world is filled with life.
When she is not around, your days are full of strife.
A sister is a blessing who fills your heart with love.
She flies with you in life with the beauty of a dove.
A companion to whom you can express your feelings,
She doesn’t let you get bored at family dealings.
Whether you are having your ups or downs,
She always helps you with a smile and never frowns.
With a sister, you cannot have a grudge.
She is as sweet as chocolate and as smooth as fudge.
Having a sister is not just a trend.
It is knowing you can always turn to her, your best friend.
3. My Sister
by: Shaina Verma
4. Award Winner for English Fiction
by: Priya Suresh
#WritewithAYA
I returned home from work,soaked in rain and found that the door was locked. Probably Shweta was out for a grocery run. Our convivial neighbor Mrs.Sharma welcomed me to her place with a towel and a cup of piping hot masala chai. ” So tell me your love story”,Mrs.Sharma asked with curiosity and excitement dancing in her eyes. I bent my head down not that I was timid but baffled about the extreme ardour that ladies had for gossiping. ” Just like any other love story,Aunty. We met at a salsa class. We realized that we shared many things in common and after a while love blossomed. The End”, I concluded and gave a happy ending to my story. Mrs.Sharma was disappointed that she did not get anything adventurous to hear. Just then Shweta returned. Yes,our love story wasn’t anything extraordinary. I smiled at the nameplate hung outside our door. The marbled tile read ” Shruti and Shweta”.
5. No Title Available
by: Priya Suresh
#WritewithAYA
I couldn’t give an answer to my five year old son’s question-, “Why is Mama so different from other uncles out there?”. I can still remember the first time when Bhaiyya was stealthily trying on my clothes and make up. I was too young to understand what he was going through.But the journey for Bhaiyya and even for us to accept his “new” identity was a gruesome one. He battled the struggle of finding his real self all alone. The acceptance from my end was a little swifter than Maa and Papa.But nevertheless,today everything seems to be falling in place. I realized that he wasn’t a disgrace but an inspiration,he did not put us to shame but chose to be himself and held his head high. Tarun or Tara, whatever be his name,he has been my only support throughout. When my husband had abandoned us,Bhaiyya gave us a new lease of life. The only thing that matters is love and most importantly humans must be humans and not camouflaged beasts. I gave an apt answer to my son, “Mama was born with a wrong body size and now he has found the right one.”
6. Hindi Fiction
by: Rajni Hada
#WritewithAYA #myqueersister
“इस करमजली का दिमाग ठीक कर दो, दीदी”, रामदेई को सुनती, डॉ राधिका, कोयल को देख रहीं थीं। बेढंगा पहनावा, बेतरतीब बाल, खालीचेहरा और खामोश आंखे.. मनोचिकित्सक राधिका सब समझ गयीं। कोयल खुद नहीं जानती थी , कि उसे अपनी सहेली पर आकर्षण क्यूँ था।जब घरवालों द्वारा डांट फटकार, मारपीट, पूजा-पाठ से काम ना बना, तो पुरुष सदस्यों द्वारा बलात्कारी “सुधार चिकित्सा” की जा रही थी।राधिका ने सोचा, रामदेई को यह सत्य कैसे समझाया जा सकता है, कि जैसे उल्टे हाथ से काम करता माली कोई ‘विचित्र प्राणी’ नहीं है। उसीप्रकार समलिंगी भावनाएं रखती कोयल मानसिक बीमारी से ग्रसित नहीं है। वह दूसरों से भिन्न है, जो कि हम सभी एक दूसरे से किसी ना किसीरूप में होते ही हैं। परंतु अभी समय कोयल को बचाने का था। राधिका ने कोयल को अपने साथ दिल्ली ले जाने निर्णय लिया। वहाँ, सपोर्ट ग्रुपद्वारा समय-समय पर किए जाने वाले events जैसे फिल्म स्क्रीनिंग, बुक लॉन्च, मीटिंग, वर्कशॉप, के जरिए कोयल को अपने जैसी सोच व पसंदरखने वाले लोगों से मेलजोल व बातचीत करने का मंच मिला और वह अपने उद्देश्य को पाने की दिशा में आगे बढ़ सकी। राधिका का हृदयआत्मसंतोष से भर गया था।
7. With you,my Queer Sister.
by: Sunitha
#WritewithAYA
My friend, Viji and myself love to go for shopping together. Few days back I wanted to buy a golden ear ring. I asked my friend to accompany me. The shop was crowded due to Akshaya Tritiya offers. We just made our way to the earrings counter. There was a lot of new collections and we both were so excited to see them. My friend has a great taste when it comes for pattern selection and I just love those ones. Viji selected two patterns and I decided to buy both of them. The sales girl in the counter also appreciated the choices of my friend. She took us to the billing counter to assist us in the purchase. While she was swiping my card she said to my friend “ Sir, you understand women’s taste well.” I looked at my friend’s face and we exchanged a warm smile. My friend wants to hide his true identity to the outside world until he is confident to handle it. I respect his decision. I myself took some time to understand his situation, but now I am with my friend.
8. Awarded for English Poetry
by: Shruti Chatterjee
#WriteWithAYA #PoetryFreeVerse #UnwaveringVow
Outside the norm, not ever, meant wrong..yet set a frown,
Boundaries of love, who said, could ever be drawn?
Perspectives may differ, opinions do vary,
Above humanity, is there a benchmark, to consider any?
Imprisoned, bound, muted in quandary,
Countless pleas trailing on deaf ears,
Turmoil , dilemmas, undocumented pain,
Oh, my sister, you’ve been beyond brave to even sustain.
Ostensible allies, countless queries abound,
Though created a marvel, you still stand astound!
The unscathed body you carry, shielding the scathed soul,
Dear sister, I do hear those silent tears roll.
No vocal slogans, neither march I may attend..
Yet, I promise to hold hands, on your chosen path, and reach you till the end,
The roads may be rough and divided, as we’ve discovered so far,
That hardly deters me, as you and I are sister’s entwined at heart.
Hold your pride, and shoulders straight..
Besides you forever, will be your unyielding mate!!
9. Hey my queer sister!
by: Shradha Wahal
#writewithAYA
Hey my queer sister!
Just keep your head high and mind above,
Why to feel shy , just be AyA and give a smile.
It’s a difficult journey for you, roads are scattered , distance are long ,
Seem everywhere dark with no hope at all
Just don’t back yourself, stand up and say Yes it’s me and I am AyA
Why are you closing your eye, why don’t you look yourself in the mirror ,
It’s you my pretty lady , for what you are so fear,
Be yourself! Love yourself !
Look at the mirror and say proudly IamQueen and AyA and happy with it.
