Community Get-Together and Town Hall - Sat. Sept 7

Community Get-Together and Town Hall

Saturday, September 7 at 6:00pm
Location is TBD

Please save the date to get-together with the KhushDC community. This is a great time to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones. Also, we're going to try something new this year -- this is where elections will be held, so your attendance is all the more important for the continued growth and nourishment of our community. If nothing else, grab a plate of delicious food (it will be a potluck) and tell us what you like about KhushDC or where we could do better. We'd like to have others in the community step up and be part of the leadership also - keeping KhushDC a safe space for DC's LGBTQ community is a responsibility we all share.

Manil Suri Reading - Sat. August 3

KhushDC is co-hosting an event with the DC Center's Outwrite LGBT Book Fair on Saturday, August 3 at 7:30pm. Manil Suri, author of The City of Devi, will be speaking about his new book! Manil is an out gay South Asian man and accomplished novelist and mathematician.

Manil Suri was born in Bombay and is a professor of mathematics and affiliate professor of Asian studies at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He is the author of the novels The Death of Vishnu, The Age of Shiva, and The City of Devi, his most recent novel. His fiction has won several awards and honors and has been translated into twenty-seven languages.

He will be reading from his book The City of Devi, released last February. The City of Devi tells the story of Sarita, who journeys to find her husband Kuran among the ruinedstreets of Mumbai, joined only by his lover Jaz. As they avoid danger, Sarita and Jaz are drawn to Devi ma, the patron goddess who has appeared - reputedly - to save the city.

Find out more info here: http://www.thedccenter.org/blog/2013/07/manil-suri-reading-at-outwrite.html 

See the full OutWrite schedule at: http://thedccenter.org/outwritedc/schedule.pdf

PRESS RELEASE

KhushDC Stands in Solidarity with Indo-Caribbean Community After Gay-Bashing Incident

June 26, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shivana Jorawar, shivana.jorawar@gmail.com

Washington, D.C., June 26, 2013 – KhushDC joins other LGBTQ organizations in denouncing the recent targeting of and attack on an Indo-Caribbean activist in New York. On Sunday June 23, Mohamed (Zaman) Amin was attacked in a hate crime at Players Restaurant and Bar in Queens. Following the release of photos and videos of Amin after the attack, community leaders across the Northeast have condemned this violent attack and reiterated a commitment to combating homophobia and hate crimes.

These organizations have helped put together a rally in front of Players Restaurant and Bar (129-06 Liberty Ave., Richmond Hill, NY 11419) to be held on Thursday, June 27, 2013 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Community members, elected officials and organizations are encouraged to join the rally against violence directed at Amin and the LGBTQ community.

The organizations Chutney Pride, the Indo-Caribbean Alliance, Jahajee Sisters, the Rajkumari Cultural Center, Sadhana, Sangam- Indo-Caribbean Queer Voices, and KhushDC released the following statements:

“This disgusting violence is unacceptable. It is high time for us to be addressing the real issue of anti-gay hate that plagues our community and makes it an unsafe place to be. Chutney Pride is here to support Zaman and help uproot homophobia in the Indo-Caribbean community.” – Mohamed Q. Amin, Chutney Pride

“We are distressed to learn of the attack on Zaman, who has been a leading activist for LGBTQ rights in the Caribbean community. This kind of violence follows other recent violent attacks we have seen against gay men in NYC. Fortunately, we are determined to show that there are far more of us who stand in solidarity with Zaman than those would rather see the LGBTQ community silenced again.” – Richard David, Indo-Caribbean Alliance

“What happened to Zaman is deplorable. We as a community can no longer refuse to confront cultural biases against LGBTQ persons and the violence that it promotes. LGBTQ people are our friends and family members and, if they are not safe, this is a problem that affects us all.” – Rohan Sooklall, Sangam

“This is a disgusting act of violence based on rigid gender norms that result in the persecution of LGBTQ people. For too long, we have been silent about the way our culture denigrates people based on their sexual orientation. The time for creating change is long overdue. We stand in solidarity with Zaman.” – Shivana Jorawar, Jahajee Sisters

“Zaman is the most beautiful, respectful, gifted and talented young person I’ve met in a long time. He has worked and supports the Rajkumari Center and performed for many fundraising events in our community. During Sandy, Zaman, his family and friends distributed food and supplies to victims. I call on all business owners, community and religious leaders to stand with us to STOP the abuse to our sons and daughters!” – Pritha Singh, Rajkumari Cultural Center

“We at Sadhana believe in the principle of ahimsa and condemn all forms of violence. As a progressive coalition of Hindu Americans, we condemn the violent attack on Mohamed (Zaman) and demand that the Ozone Park and Richmond Hill residents strongly condemn this act of violence as well. Zaman is a human being and should not be seen as any different from any other human in this world. ” – Rohan Narine, Sadhana

“It is disheartening and disappointing to see such violence being perpetuated without recourse or reason in our community. We hope our religious and cultural communities from South Asia, the Caribbean, and the diaspora stand with us as we continue to educate, share the stories of LGBTQ individuals, and build within our communities. Only two years ago, we saw a similar attack against a South Asian LGBTQ member here in Washington, D.C., one where the person unfortunately did not survive the attack. It is high time we rise to the occasion and speak louder.” – Puesh Kumar, KhushDC

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KhushDC is a social, support and political group that provides a safe and supportive environment, promotes awareness and acceptance, and fosters positive cultural and sexual identity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning (LGBTQ) and additional gender or sexual minority South Asians in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. KhushDC represents a broad array of nationalities including those of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Click here to view this press release on our Scribd page or download a PDF version.

2013 Capital Pride - Logistical Information

***We are continually updating this post with important information. So check back the day before the parade!***

KhushDC would like to invite DC's South Asian LGBTQ community and our straight allies to the 38th Annual Capital Pride Parade on Saturday, June 8th.

The Pride Parade is an opportunity to showcase the diverse faces of the LGBTQ community and stand proudly for those South Asian LGBTQ individuals who are not yet able to be out. We stand as friends, mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters to celebrate, but also remember the struggles we’ve fought collectively to reach this right to be equal.


Important Info:

• Truck decorating and sign-making party: 6:00pm on Friday, June 7. RSVP to receive address: https://www.facebook.com/events/581073398593629/.

• Meeting location: 2:00pm on Saturday, June 8 at Larry's Lounge (1836 18th St NW Washington, DC 20009). We'll meet there and then head over to our place in the parade. Please be on time (no desi standard time!).

• Attire for the parade: South Asian clothing is encouraged, but feel free to wear anything you'd be comfortable in. It is expected to be 83 degrees, so make sure you wear something that'll keep you cool as we march. We plan on bringing water bottles with us, but feel free to bring your own also.

• DJ Harsh will be spinning Bollywood, Bhangra, and more during the parade to keep us going! Feel free to suggest songs he should play in the comments section below.

Website: KhushDC.org

Contact: board@khushdc.org