Q list Conversation with Vinod Bal

The Q-List

 All links are on www.samesamebutblack.co.nz 

An exploration of Queer inter-sectionality

Each interviewer selection of or either talks on the impact of these items have on their lives

Through music, film, art and books with a conversation , 

Each week during PRIDE 2022 we explore inter-sectionality through the experiences and stories of the people we profile.

Vinod is a 23-year-old Indian man who is passionate about making positive change for our communities. He grew up in Ngaruawahia and completed his primary, secondary and tertiary education in the Waikato region. He is passionate about ensuring our communities get the outcomes they deserve, whether that we greater visibility or better material outcomes. People of Colour, statistically speaking, are the largest LGBTTIA+ group on earth and yet, if one were to look at popular queer culture, you would be hard pressed to see this reality. Vinod is a part of the LGBTTIA +QT BIPOC rights movement because he wants to change this. He has an interest in legal and policy advocacy for queer and trans People of Colour, both here in Aotearoa and overseas, and is looking to work on global law reform so LGBTTIA+ QTBIPOC can have their rights realised.

My three Q List texts are:

• Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, a Hindi film about a lesbian woman who comes out in rural Punjab, in the setting of a play;
• Loaded by Christos Tsiolkas, a book about a young Greek gay man who is unfomfortable with his homosexuality and therefore, indulges in substance abuse, casual sex with men who demean his sexuality, etc;
• “Beta” by Rakesh Ratti published in Yaraana: Gay Writing from India by Hoshang Merchant, a poem that discusses the challenge between "desire" vs "duty."