People from LGBT have a message on love for everyone and its very heart touching

People from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community in India have lived in shadows for years. With time, many have come out of the closet and are quite proud of themselves. Despite much resistance and hatred from our ignorant societies, these brave hearts wear their individualities on their sleeves and stand for themselves and their right to love. Alike each one of us, they do have a right to express their love to anyone they like on this Valentine’s Day. We couldn’t help gushing over these amazing fellow humans, who have a very heart touching message on this day of love. Let’s listen to their lessons of love that urge us to make this society more beautiful and lovable place to be.

For Sushant Digvikar love is something that you make out of it

Sushant Digvikar is not just a name that is restricted to the LGBT world. This amazing fellow is master of many trades. He has many feathers in his hat, from being a TV jockey to a Bigg Boss contestant, theatre artist to LGBT activist, there’s hardly anything that he can’t do. This Mr Gay World 2014 can dance, sing and most importantly he can make you smile. Bright as sunlight, Sushant’s personality has an alluring charm.

After knowing Sushant’s plan for this Valentine’s Day, we have no qualms on why his folks are so proud of him. Excited as a child, while sharing his idea of V-Day celebration, Sushant said, “This is a first time On Valentines that I am going to be on a date with 57 beautiful women. To bring a smile on their faces, I am going to sing and dance for them. I’m doing this because I believe all of us get old and it is inevitable. And these people, who stay at the old-age home, have been abandoned by their families and they have no hope left from life. I think it is very selfish on our parts to just keep on asking for love and not giving it.”

Sushant, who is quite keen to go out on a holiday to South Africa with his boyfriend, has an amusing condition. He said, “My boyfriend and I are planning a trip to South Africa and I had promised him that I’ll go on this trip only if I manage to bring a smile on the lovely faces of these women.

Love is a universal force and no one can stop you from loving a person, whether you are from the community or not from it, averred Sushant. Stating sternly that Section 377 has to go, Sushant said, “I don’t think that we actually need to give so much attention to Section 377, all I know is to needs to go. No law, Section or even the Constitution should bind you from loving any person. We all should continue to spread happiness, joy and love. Love is freedom and it is something that you make out of it. Love is about feeling happy, about making others happy.”

For Harish Iyer no kind of love is bad

Harish Iyer is quite a known face on the Indian LGBT map. A prominent LGBT activist, a staunch supporter of human rights, Harish’s active voice is often heard on several issues that torment our society. He has also been part of Aamir Khan's show Satyamev Jayate. Recently, he was much in the media barrel when his mother had posted a matrimonial advertisement for him in one of the newspapers and the news got viral. With hundreds of proposal flowing in from across the country, it was a huge plus not just for him but also for many from the society, as it helped us in seeing them in a different and clearer light. Sadly enough, Harish is still single. A jovial Harish tells us that he plans to be on a lookout this Valentine for a date, preferably a movie date.

Talking about things he expects from society on the day of love, Harish explains, “Being gay has never been illegal in this country and neither is love illegal in this country. What is considered illegal is the way we express our love. Section 377 criminalizes sex against the order of nature. So, in a way it says that we can fall in love, but we cannot say it loud or express it to them.”

The full-time queer activist wished that in coming years, we can only hope that things get better and we stand a chance to say that ‘pyar karenge khullam khulla.’

Always encouraging people to face their individuality, Harish said, “From this day to many more days, there are many people who are out and about, but there are many who are still in the closet and are willing to come out. So, for them, we need a mass movement which tells people that no kind of love is bad as long as it is consensual and it is expressed between adults. I would just tell people that law or no law, love cannot be defeated. Love is a very strong force and no barricade can stop it.”

For Sonal Giani love is something that completes you

Not many of us have the courage Sonal Giani has. The bold and beautiful Sonal’s story is very inspiring. She is the first woman who came out of the closet and told the world that she is in love with another girl. The actress, theatre producer and activist is quite open and about her sexual orientations and asserts that no one should be ashamed of their sexual preferences as long we are adults and trampling upon anyone else’s right to love or live. Her story was also showcased in a TV serial ‘Connected Hum Tum’, which was hosted by Abhay Deol.

About the day of love, Sonal said, “Everyone should be allowed and given the right to love, irrespective of their gender or their sex. It is very sad that in a country like India, it is considered a crime for same-sex partners to stay together. It is pretty unfair, but still Valentine’s Day is the day to celebrate love and the community is also celebrating it, irrespective of any legal sanction to it.”

Sonal believes that she doesn’t need any specific day to express love, yet she has some cute plans for her girlfriend. She has planned a surprise gift for her partner and a fancy dinner date.

Talking about the uniting emotion, Sonal said, “Love is different for different people. To me, love is something or someone that completes you. Love someone who accepts you the way you are with all your flaws is the one for you. It has to be unconditional. Loving anyone should not be banned in the country. It looks quite stupid to me.”

For Anwesh Sahoo love is all around us

Do you know who had had been titled as Mr Gay World India 2016? It is this Odisha boy Anwesh Sahoo. The cute, charming young lad has simple expectations from the society. He believes that one should just give love without any expectations. He says the Indian society is taking the people from the LGBT community in its fold slowly, he still believes that we need more efforts and openness about the cause. Expressing his joy on the Supreme Court’s decision to reopen the Section 377 case, Anwesh excitedly shared his views, “The apex court has decided to reopen the Section 377 case and it is really good for all of us. Right now the law that we have in the country, makes us kind of invisible as if we don’t have rights to love anymore. With the SC’s move, things are looking better and I am really hoping that things will be better for all of us.”

When we were trying to get in touch with Anwesh, he was travelling as he was heading home to unite with his family on the Valentine’s Day. Having his parent’s wedding anniversary on the day of love, Anwesh thinks that this is his lifelong gift that he has been destined with. He said, “Valentine’s Day is very special to me, as my parents have their wedding anniversary. And they have been perfectly so good with each other, they are my Valentine for life and I am theirs. I am actually going back home so that I can celebrate it with them. They are what love is to me. They are the ultimate source of energy, happiness and joy in my life.”

About the concept of love, Anwesh has different views, he said, “I do not believe in a lot of materialism. So, I believe should celebrate it with someone whom we really love. Love is all around us, so, just step out and enjoy your life. Have a good time with your partner. Moreover, love and let people love.”