In 1990, when the vast majority of the Indian population was hesitant even to mention the term 'homosexuality' aloud in the public domain, the first copy of an unusual periodical emerged in Mumbai. It was called 'Bombay Dost'. On the surface, it appeared to be a regular magazine. In truth, however, this was the first registered gay and lesbian magazine in India, giving a voice to those who lived a double life up until then.
Perhaps what is even more surprising about this publication is its impact outside of India's borders. Requests for copies of the magazine began arriving from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Dubai, Tajikistan, and some Central Asian states. When mentioning one's sexual identity was taboo throughout all of South Asia, people from other countries of the region were looking for help and support.
Thus, the history of 'Bombay Dost' is not just about a magazine. It is the history of a publication that connected many isolated individuals long before the existence of social networks or even mobile phones.
A Magazine Born During Silence
India of 1990 was vastly different from modern-day India in a number of ways. Firstly, homosexuality was still regarded as illegal in India through section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. Secondly, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals rarely found themselves in any form of media, whether newspapers, television, films or politics.
In response to this situation of being invisible to the media, Ashok Row Kavi, journalist and activist, together with Suhail Abbasi et al., started Bombay Dost with a vision of providing a platform for people of diverse sexual orientations to access information and each other.
The first publication by the magazine had basic content including information regarding how to live one's life as an openly homosexual person in a society which did not recognise these sexual identities. The magazine provided practical tips for dealing with various issues that people of these sexual identities faced in their everyday life.
Bombay Dost defined itself as a place of safety, a counsellor, a provider of information and a place of contact with people with similar issues.
The Brown Paper Revolution
Getting the magazine out was one thing; distributing it proved to be another problem altogether.
Shopkeepers didn’t want to put it on display, and thus it tended to be placed behind o. It had to be ordered by the customer secretly. The vendor would pull out the magazine, which was always enclosed in brown paper to preserve the purchaser’s anonymity.
This may seem unusual today, but it was the social reality of the times. To purchase such a magazine meant risking being ridiculed and discriminated against. Even worse– getting into legal trouble.
The very fact that it was distributed secretly added to its value. One copy was often read by dozens of people. It was passed around among friends, acquaintances and even strangers. At times it was left out in public places to be found by others.
In a way, each issue was like a travelling message saying, “You are not alone.”
Why Readers Across Asia Were Fascinated
It soon became evident that the magazine was gaining popularity beyond the borders of India as well. Readers were writing from other countries where talk of sexuality was much more taboo than in India.
According to editor interviews, requests for the magazine came from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Dubai, and even several of the Central Asian republics. For people living in these countries, Bombay Dost magazine became almost the only source of information about the LGBTQ community.
The reason for this should not have come as a surprise.
The social situation in South Asian countries was almost identical. Many people faced problems of discrimination, stigma, and oppressive laws. There was little information available on the subject. Mainstream media was either ignorant or hostile toward the topic.
Therefore, a magazine created in Mumbai soon became a lifesaver for those who lived thousands of kilometres away. People needed real-life stories, advice on health care, and examples of organisation in the LGBTQ community.
It is worth mentioning that the interest from Pakistan was especially high. Even though there were political problems between India and Pakistan, people on both sides of the border had many of the same worries regarding their identity and safety.
The Famous “Khush Khat” Letters
One of the most cherished segments of Bombay Dost was "Khush Khat," which translates into "Happy Letters."
The segment acted as an in-platform well before dating and social networking applications came into existence. People used to write letters to describe their life stories, struggles, and hopes. Others would reply to the letters using the magazine.
The number of letters was quite huge. It has been estimated that Bombay Dost used to get thousands of letters every week during its most active period.
For those living in small towns and conservative societies, these letters used to offer a unique chance to exchange ideas with others who could empathise with them. Several friendships and relationships originated from these letters.
In the current scenario where everything happens instantly, it becomes hard to understand the significance of this medium. For a lot of individuals, it was their first connection with a larger LGBTQ community through a letter in Bombay Dost.
More Than Just a Magazine
While it retained focus on issues related to sexuality, Bombay Dost touched upon multiple topics.
The magazine dealt with various health issues, including raising awareness regarding HIV/AIDS in an era where misconceptions prevailed. It had various interviews, opinions, cultural analysis, entertainment-related articles and articles on LGBTQ movements across the globe.
Also, Bombay Dost chronicled significant events from around the world relating to queer people.
It made its readers aware of the legal and activist issues and other debates on issues pertaining to rights and equality.
In that way, Bombay Dost turned out to be an unofficial history book for India’s LGBTQ movement.
Topics that form the major part of public discourse today, including representation, discrimination, health, and legal rights, were a matter of discussion in its pages years ago.
Financial Struggles and Closure
The magazine faced constant money problems despite its success.
Money could not be raised from advertisements because many corporations were afraid to link themselves to the LGBTQ community.
The circulation was tough; however, even the readership could not save the magazine from the troubles.
Finally, everything became too much for the magazine. It stopped working in 2002 after more than ten years of successful work.
This was like losing a friend for many readers.
The Return of a Pioneer
Seven years later, Bombay Dost came back in 2009.
This time around, the timing of the publication was meaningful because in the same year, the Delhi High Court made a historic decision to make consensual homosexual activities legal under Section 377 despite years of fighting ahead.
The environment was different from before because people were becoming more vocal about the LGBTQ rights issue.
After its return, the magazine used the slogan "Bolder Than Ever." The publication had broadened its scope but still stood firm on community-building and activism.
Unlike the previous period, the revived magazine could now be openly sold in stores. Instead of being wrapped in brown paper, the magazine was slowly moving into the mainstream domain of the public.
The change represented the bigger changes taking place in Indian society.
Celebrity Support and Mainstream Recognition
As the magazine matured, it gained support from many famous public personalities.
Many stars adorned the cover of this magazine, thereby enabling the issues related to LGBTQ to become part of common discourse. Many actors, activists, writers, and celebrities were able to express their solidarity through this platform and promote acceptance.
It was significant for this magazine, which had a very difficult time finding distributors who would be willing to sell the magazine.
A Legacy That Outlived Print
Today, there are numerous sources of information and support available via the internet for the LGBTQ community. Young people might find it hard to believe that there was a time when access to all this information was not possible.
But the importance of Bombay Dost cannot be understated.
The magazine started publishing itself at a time of fear and silence. It brought together people who had no way of being in touch with one another. It connected people of different cities and even different countries. It told stories that were never told by any mainstream institution. But above all of this, it helped people believe that they were not alone in the world.
That many readers from countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and many other neighbouring countries were looking for copies of the magazine says something about how impactful this magazine had become. It was not just about getting a copy of the magazine. There was much more at stake for them.
In the annals of media from South Asia, few magazines have made such an important impact on such a marginalised group of people.
References
- Bombay Dost Archive and History
- Wikipedia– Bombay Dost
- Homegrown India– The History and Evolution of India’s First Gay Magazine
- Interviews and writings of Ashok Row Kav
- LGBTQ media history records and archival publications on South Asian queer movements