12th GB Parents & Relatives Meet on Sunday, 22nd April, 2012. I came out to my dad and he called meCHAKKA (eunuch). If I don’t continue with psychiatrist’s therapy and medicines, my parents will put me in rehab or mental asylum. My parents don’t have any problem with me being gay. They have problem with the way I walk, talk, dress and live. My mom says I can continue doing time pass with boys (on the side) after marriage. My father has given me ultimatum – If I don’t get married this year, he will commit suicide. My mom doesn’t want to talk about my homosexuality. But I want to… If my sister can introduce and discuss her boyfriend, why can’t I? My father thinks I eat, drink, sleep and breathe SEX. My mother says I am CURSED and she is paying for the sins she committed in her last birth. Every morning I try to gather courage to come out to my parents. Every night I hate myself for being such a coward. If I end my life, the whole marriage pressure will end. But what will happen to my parents? Who will look after them? Is every day a nightmare? You dread facing or talking with your parents? You feel guilty watching them cry? You blame yourself for their bad health? You feel responsible for their misery at old age? It’s time to meet parents who have gone through similar phase and later accepted their gay child. Maybe it’s time to introduce your parents to them.
Meet all kinds of parents and relatives (Dads who silently support, aunts who walk with placards at gay pride parades and moms who are looking for suitable boy for their son) at upcoming GayBombay Parents and Relatives Meet. In the last 14 years, GB has successfully created a special platform for frank and serious discussions with moms, dads, aunts and siblings to erase stereotypical view on homosexuality – created by society and media. In private, comfortable and respectful space, parents put across their worries, apprehensions and support. Which go a long way in ironing out many differences and strengthening parent-child bond. If you wish to bring your parent/parents to this meet or if you are staying abroad and want your parents to attend, please write to umang73sh...@gmail.com Also if you have any question for parents or want any particular issue to be voiced, kindly shoot an email. Day, Date & Time: Sunday, 22nd April, 2012 between 4 pm and 7 pm. Cover: Free Entry. Venue: Roti Restaurant (formerly Zouk), Hotel Imperial Palace, Telli Galli, Andheri (East); Mumbai Directions: Hotel Imperial Palace is a 5 minute walk from Andheri station on the East side. Walk up the Andheri Kurla Road (towards the Highway) and turn right into Telli Galli. It's the 3rd building on your right. But if you're driving and taking the Andheri flyover, from West to East, make a left turn at the signal at the end of the flyover. Or if you're driving on the highway make a left turn at the Andheri flyover road and a right turn at the signal before the flyover. This is Telli Galli. Almost towards the end of this road, close to Andheri Kurla Road (perpendicular to Telli Galli), is Hotel Imperial Palace, on your left. Note: 1. You have to be above the age of 18 to attend the event. 2. GB, as a support group, has created this comfort/safe space for gays. Many people at the event may be "newbies" (those still coming to terms with their sexuality and/or those who have mustered the courage to come to such an event for the first time). We request you to be sensitive to the comfort levels of others and to behave and dress accordingly. 3. This meeting is open to everyone who respects the space, but we specifically must ask people to respect the desire of many of the parents and their children not to get unwanted publicity. We have received requests from the media to attend this meet, and we will have to decline if this means they will come with cameras and try and contact the parents directly. We will be checking for cameras and anyone carrying them will be politely asked to leave. Also please do not publicize this meeting beforehand. For any further media queries get in touch with Umang at umang73sh...@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This event is organized by www.gaybombay.org
