I Talk, You Listen

I think everyone was worried. Nobody remembers a feminist gathering in which men have been invited but aren’t allowed to speak. There was apprehension among the organizers about male outrage at having to take a back seat, and about whether women would share their experiences in a public forum like this. Sexism in Leftist and Progressive Spaces, a dialogue held in Lahore at Books and Beans on Saturday, defied those expectations and proved itself to be both catharsis and galvinizer. Continue reading “I Talk, You Listen”


Lahori Grindr Boys Exposed

Over 250 men were exposed Wednesday on Instagram as Grindr users when an unknown person posted their pictures onto an Instagram account. The Instagram profile remained online for 5 days, despite scores of people reporting it as bullying and harassment. It took backchannel communications by multiple Pakistani queer activists in and outside the country to finally have it flagged and removed Monday morning Pakistan time.

The gay male community, which is most affected by this unconscionable outing, has been in increasing consternation and panic, as each attempt to have the profile removed was rebuffed. Over the 5 days, the pictures posted increased from 189 to 252, including some profiles that the gay community clearly identified as not gay and not from Grindr. Continue reading “Lahori Grindr Boys Exposed”


Rape and Victim Blaming in Mauritius

mauritius map

Rape is part of the lives of many and too often, victims think that they provoked it. Rape has been used as an ultimate form of violence against those that were physically frail. There is this concept that rape is somehow the victim’s fault. I have heard so many times imams blaming short skirts and skimpy dresses as a cause of rape. Women seem to be objects of desire, they provoke men and must feel ashamed of it. The honour of families depends on the daughter’s behaviour. Continue reading “Rape and Victim Blaming in Mauritius”