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Vinay Aarote; Social Media Expert; Mumbai

“I need visibility to assert the fact that I exist as an individual rather than just as a ‘minuscule minority’ – an unimportant category my government puts me into. We need visibility, not just for showing numbers but also for the sake of equal (not special) rights and most importantly, equal acceptance.

A lot of discrimination exists because society cannot come to terms with the fact that we exist among them; it cannot accept the fact that we are harmlessly different. I faced a lot of discrimination right since I was a kid. In school I was bullied, called insulting names and even hit for being gay. I was depressed for a year until I met a professor who helped me accept what I am. He was gay as well and I explored with him what being homosexual is and got rid of my fears. He is my mentor and my inspiration. I was but lucky to come across somebody like him. Not everyone is as lucky as me. Lack of visibility leads to lack of acceptance which leads to discrimination. And many of us have to face horrible consequences of this.”

The Visibility Campaign features experiences of people identifying as LGBTQI as well as opinions of heterosexual allies. It attempts to fill a tiny part of the huge gap in LGBTQI representation by featuring the lived experiences of the gender/sexual minority from across the country, regardless of differences. The Visibility Campaign asserts the unique individuality of each person featured. It seeks to shatter stereotypes and broadcast the fact that LGBTQI people have our own strengths, weaknesses and identities, not suggesting this as a way to live, but simply telling that this is how we live.
If you identify as the gender/sexual minority, or as a heterosexual ally and want your story/opinion to be featured on The Visibility Campaign, write to Queertopia at outintheopen2014@gmail.com. Tell us why you think visibility is important.
More details onQueertopia and the Visibility Campaign!
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