The 2017 ‘London Gay Pride’ was a sparkling spectacle, shining gracefully like a beacon of hope for members of the LGBT community all across the world, even though it was not without its fair share of surprises and indeed some controversy.
It was spoiled really by a secularist group of former Muslims, who was spotted carrying a series of controversial banners bearing crude and blasphemous slogans. The fiasco later boiled over to an official complaint being filed against the group and even led to some unsavory altercations.
Anyway fast forward onto 2018 and our correspondent lists the similarities between the last year’s and this year’s events, but also delightedly notes how the Pride this year has drawn even more participation and cultural riches, minus the controversy thankfully.
Today our focus here is on ‘Boys Love world’, an organization still in its infancy but gaining traction as demonstrated by their consecutive participations in the 2017 and 2018 London Prides respectively.
A quick reminder to our readers as well as to how we discussed the growing Asian representation in LGBT events across the UK (LGBT events in the likes of Birmingham also posted record Asian representation). This year’s even registered the Asian LGBT contingent as its largest ever. Particularly, those from South Asian countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India. Their LGBT representatives at the Pride appeared unconcerned of being exposed if anything they were fairly jubilant about the amount of exposure they were getting. They appeared relaxed, despite the existing hostility and violence in their respective countries against LGBT+ members, something which we are sure they are aware of. In some countries such as Bangladesh and Pakistan, homosexuality, bisexuality and such are recognized criminal offences and are punishable by fine or a lifetime in jail.
And that is where ‘Boys Love World’ essentially comes in. They were amongst the noisiest, most social, proactive in the group and where not shy of expressing themselves. We actually managed to catch up with them on both occasions (during the ’17 and ’18 Prides). Although they appeared enthusiastic on both occasions, they seemed tad underprepared to take on the challenge of demystifying some of the taboo surrounding LGBT communities across the world.
Another quick fast-forward onto December 2018 and ‘Boys Love World’ have already gone up a gear or two. We managed to catch up with Mr. Abdul Kader, one of their more promising voluntary members, and contributors.
Mr. Faysal Hossain Onik and openly gay Bangladeshi man himself confessed,
“Listen first of all raising awareness about the LGBT community is a huge responsibility and it has to be shared. We are prepared to do our part”,
in response to our correspondent who asked him whether ‘Boys Love World’ is prepared to make a concerted effort into raising awareness about LGBT communities in South Asia, on a global scale. He continued,
“Of course there is no denying that our heritage and origin encourages us mostly to look out for our own people first (he refers here to LGBT communities in Bangladesh). We believe in fixing our own nest first, but our agenda is much deeper and our goals are broader, certainly”.
Our correspondent was intrigued t learn about Boys Love World’s recent activities which signals their intent and willingness to execute their bold core initiatives.
It started with the publication of their first printed magazine, As ‘Boys Love world’ became, reportedly only the second LGBT-centric magazine in Bangladesh. And they did not stop there. ‘Boys Love World’ have actually established themselves as a bi-annual publication, and currently has one issue under its belt so far.”
Featuring brutal but honest portrayals of the LGBT community, the lives of their members, their stories, ‘Boys Love World’ magazine provide you with a rich selection of content related to anything and everything LGBT. And as Mr. Kader tells us, they boast some of the most talented writers and contributors of this generation, bringing quality, vibrancy to their magazines.
However, now ‘Boys Love World’ are planning joint seminars with other organizations in the UK and abroad, with whom they have established connections with. Mr. Kader also informs us that there are ideas to make joint publications and publish their own magazines worldwide in at least 7 different languages. Currently, their magazines are only available online in the UK and are only written in Bengali.
“The intention is there”, continued M.r Kader, “We were discussing the possibility of a joint publication, and also to expand the accessibility of our own publication. Making it available in multiple languages, at least the most popular ones anyway, you know English, French, German etc…But it is a lot of work and we need a lot more help from that. But it also goes to show you how far we have come.”
When asked what sort of role these intiatives will play in Boys Love World’s long term aspirations, M.r Kader was optimistic and cautious. “Again we are starting out, but as I am sure my colleagues, peers here at ‘Boys Love World’ will tell you, we have come in leaps and bounds over the last few months, and especially after the good work we did in this year’s Pride. I believe with these magazines we are slowly laying the foundations required to achieve our long term goals, which is essentially to provide long overdue respite to LGBT communities across the world, free them from the inhumane treatment they have been, are being subjected to.”
Mr. Kader informs us that their work although controversial, drawing a lot of criticism particularly from the fundamentalist sect in Bangladesh, also proved their commitment towards dispelling some of the myths, taboos that have belittled LGBT communities across the world for years.
“We have been subjected to lawsuits, yes the criminal kind! No doubt filed by individuals who do not think people like me or those associated with them are humans. But that has not deterred us nor has it made us lose our focus. We strive and will continue to do so”.
Our correspondent wished him the best, and we wish them the best as we look forward to what these brave group of young men and women of ‘Boys Love World’ get up to next.
