Have you heard the term ¡®Queer¡¯? Are you aware who they are? If not, it is time to meet Ritwik from Lucknow, who is a ¡®queer¡¯ himself and is working towards educating the sciety that the world is not divided into two colours, but is a beautiful rangoli of many hues. India Times Hindi, in a special conversation with Ritwik, delved into his journey.
¡°In this binary world, I am a non-binary. I was born in a middle class family in Lucknow. In a male-dominated world, indicators of gender are attire, conduct, character, dialect and posture. If you do not obey these gender norms, you are cast out from society.¡±
¡°Patriarchal society prevents you from thinking beyond blue and pink. For example, sex of the subject is important in the grammar of language. But the question is, can you bind the whole world and a person¡¯s emotions, thoughts and expressions into these two dimensions? No!¡±
¡°My emotions and personality could not be bound in this binary. Social restrictions always choked me. People often inquire when I first realized the same. Like every ¡®queer¡¯ individual, I was always aware of my identity. But, we are different. Society caused this realization. People are often so engrossed in counting out faults that they fail to see our merits.¡±
¡°Only the male was allowed to issue sports equipment for football and cricket. Games like badminton were meant for girls. In such a case, what if some wanted to play both? Or none? How do they feel? I was not fond of clothes with collars. I preferred a kurta with a dupatta. But the problem is, none of us even have the right to choose the clothes we wear.¡±
¡°When you buy a gift for a child, what do you keep in mind? Gun, car or cricket kit for boys and dolls or kitchen set for girls. In reality, we never ask the children what they want. I am not the sole non-binary. There are many still like me, who hide in fear and tears, suppressing themselves.¡±
¡°These are the voices I want to strengthen. I stepped up for this and joined ¡®Awadh Queer Pride¡¯ committee as soon as I knew about it. Now, I no longer step back from helping my community, be it organising ¡®pride parade¡¯ in the city or any other activity. I stand in the front row and am always active, so that I can reassure other non-binary individuals like me that they are neither alone nor different.¡±
The world is not divided into two colours. It is a beautiful rangoli
I also try to educate the society that the world is not divided into two colours. Instead, it is a beautiful rangoli of many hues, each of which is attractive and adorable.