LGBTQIA
Editorial – Anthology Jan 2026
To remind us of what spaces that are safe, inclusive and self-affirming for each person could look like, we have curated a selection of articles from the last five years of In Plainspeak for this anthology – our gift to wish you a wonderful 2026.
By TARSHI
January 16, 2026
Meanings and Meaninglessness
Gender has perplexed me throughout life. I never quite understood femininity or masculinity much – I mostly lived in what other people thought I was. One thing I did know always is that I never, ever, want to be seen as a man. But can I still hold masculinity?
By Sudipta Das
January 16, 2026
How would it be if we grew up embracing sexuality?
Growing up is a tedious task in our society because of the institutionalised practices, societal constructs and boxed identities and expressions that we are expected to adhere to. Anything beyond these implies harm, danger, and deviance.
By Sreejani
January 16, 2026
To Exist is to Defy
The novel turns the idea of masculinity on its head through the story of Brit, a boy who is as sharp as he is fragile. Born with osteogenesis imperfecta, Brit’s bones break easily, but his spirit doesn’t.
By Abhigya Singh
January 16, 2026
Not Quite Anything
He didn’t wear his identity on his sleeve, and therefore he seemed more real than most people who did.
By Taarina Therese Chandiramani
January 16, 2026
भाषा की ताकत – LGBTQIA+ पहचान और समावेशिता की दिशा में क़दम
भाषा सिर्फ अभिव्यक्ति का माध्यम नहीं है, यह पहचान, संबंध और संघर्ष का भी ज़रिया है। भाषा सामाजिक संरचना, पहचान और सत्ता-संबंधों को दर्शाने का भी औज़ार है।
By Imran Khan
January 16, 2026
Editorial– CSE and Affirming Ecosystems
CSE’s ‘natural habitat’ is often considered to be the classroom, but as our contributors show us, CSE also lives, breathes and thrives in habitats as disparate as neighbourhood parks, jobs-training centres, playgrounds and sports fields, law schools, family discussions, and digital spaces.
By TARSHI
December 16, 2025
Ms. Pleasant Gets Stubborn
… spaces led by the desire to not just protect but also educate all who connect with children…
By Reema Ahmad
December 16, 2025
My CSE Sundays
CSE survives in information as well as in the values that carry it forward.
By Khushi Kaushal
December 16, 2025
सहभागी डिजिटल संस्कृति और व्यापक यौनिकता शिक्षा – भारत का बदलता शैक्षिक परिदृश्य
डिजिटल मीडिया ने भारत में CSE को नई दिशा दी है। इंस्टाग्राम रील्स, यूट्यूब चैनल और आधुनिक कहानी-आधारित सामग्री ने न केवल जानकारी का लोकतंत्रीकरण किया है बल्कि युवाओं में आत्मविश्वास, समझ और संवेदनशीलता भी बढ़ाई है।
By Imran Khan
November 17, 2025
In Between Deadlines and Debriefs: On Friendships at Work
In those moments of doubt, when we wonder whether we can really make a difference in the world, it is often our work friends who remind us why we began.
By Nandhini Jaishankar
November 17, 2025
समावेशी मित्रता और स्वीकृति – हमारी यौनिक पहचान का सहारा
सबसे ख़ूबसूरत बात यह है कि समावेशी दोस्ती समाज में भी बदलाव लाती है। जब दोस्त एक-दूसरे को बिना भेदभाव अपनाते हैं, तो यह उदाहरण बनता है और धीरे-धीरे एक ऐसी संस्कृति का निर्माण होता है जहाँ विविधता को सम्मान और स्वीकार्यता मिलती है।
By Imran Khan
October 15, 2025
डिजिटल भारत में क्वीयर संबद्धता की तलाश
जबकि सोशल मीडिया और ऑनलाइन प्लेटफॉर्म भारत में क्वीयर लोगों को जुड़ने, ख़ुद को अभिव्यक्त करने और गैर-अपराधीकरण के बाद समुदाय ख़ोजने के लिए एक मंच प्रदान करते हैं, संबद्धता के विचार अभी भी जाति, वर्ग, सौंदर्यशास्त्र आदि में उलझे हुए हैं जो बहिष्कार को कायम रखते हैं।
By Vanshika Gupta and Niv
October 15, 2025
Love in May
My birthday is in May, a peak time of summer heat in the Awadh region of Uttar Pradesh. We knew that it was going to be hot, but did not have any idea of how bad it could get.
By Anahita Koshur
August 19, 2025