KOCHI: Queerythm, the LGBTIQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trasgender, Intersex, Questioning) community in the city, will organise an array of programmes to mark International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biophobia. The event includes an exhibition of books and magazines on LGBTIQ issues and a series chronicling the history of queer movement in Kerala.
Avalilekkulla Dooram (The Journey to Her), a documentary directed by P Abhijith will be screened as part of the event.
There will be a discussion on Media and Gender Justice and the panel includes Shyamaprasad, director, Vidhu Vincent, director and media person, Meena T Pillai, director, School of Foreign Languages, University of Kerala, Soorya Abhilash, member, Kerala State Transgender Justice Board, P Abhijith, press photographer and documentary director, V S Bindhu, poet and film critic and Prijith P K, secretary, Queerythm.
The dicussion will be moderated by Shalin Varghese, co-ordinator, Queerythm. During the afternoon session another panel discussion on society, state, sexual and gender minorities will be held.
Kerala Society and Homophobia, Visibility of Sexual Minorities, The Heterosexual ‘State’ are the main tpics to be discussed. LGBTQ activists Muhammed Unaise, Bincy Y, N Parasuraman, Vijayarajamallika, Sheela, Sreekutty Chinchu Ashwathy will be part of various panels.
Murugesan Sivasubramanian, project director, The Humsafar Trust, Mumbai, will deliver the presidential address at the valedictory session at 5pm. Former minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan will officially launch Queerythm and K Muraleedharan MLA will deliver the keynote address. Celebrity makeup artist Renju Renjimar will be the chief guest.
Winners of the first TG Athletic Meet in India, participants from Malappuram and Kannur districts, will be felicitated on the occasion. Other individuals and organisations that will be honoured as part of the event includes Anil Chilla (for his 15 years of dedicated service for the community), Nileena Atholi (for winning Ramnath Goenka prize for excellence in Journalism for her feature on Transgender life and struggles, P S Sreekala, (for her initiative in starting continuing education project for transgenders), I P Binu, councillor, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation (for his initiative in starting Kudumbashree units and other Self-Employment Scheme for transgenders and MSM). T D Dasan, President, Kerala State Sports Council (for his leadership in organising the first ever Transgender Athletic Meet in the country), Queerala, (for their service and contributions to the community) and Sahayathrika, (the first community organisation in Kerala for Lesbian and Women).
The valedictory function will be followed by cultural programmes by community members. The event will be held in Museum Auditorium on May 14. For details contact 9747811406.