A string of thought-provoking stories were told through plays and movies at the third edition of the Delhi International Queer Theatre & Film Festival 2017 here.
The two-day festival, which ended on Sunday, witnessed stories underlining the sensitive lives of the queer community.
A movie titled “The Condom Man” presented the struggle of Ireland to provide core services for haemophiliacs and other HIV/AIDS patients; and a play called “Kuch Khwahishein Adhoori Si” by Saitan Theatre Group showcased the 25-year-old protagonist’s conflicting conversations between his body and soul.
Organised by Harmless Hugs and Impulse New Delhi by AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the festival intended to connect with the LGBTQI community in their struggle for equal human rights, acceptability and access to HIV prevention and general healthcare facilities.
Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil of Rajpipla, who is the goodwill ambassador of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) India Cares, lauded the event.
“It is a good initiative to give a platform to young budding theatre and film producers to encourage and exhibit their talents based on LGBT issues. It has been observed that media in form of theatre or films is a good way of addressing sensitive issues like LGBT to a mass audience and it helps to change the mindset of the society by the influence of its artistes.
“These kinds of festivals can help in the long term for mainstreaming issues of LGBT in the society which will facilitate to remove misconceptions and create better understanding and acceptance,” he added,
V. Sam Prasad, Country Programme Director, AHF India Cares, said: “Nations across the globe need to be inclusive in embracing the LGBTQIA communities. Understanding the needs and vulnerabilities of these communities is the first step towards mainstreaming them.
“Isolation and neglecting these fellow beings will result in more risk behaviours often leading to harbouring multiple infections and STI/HIV leading to further transmission into the population.”
With the aim to encourage people to come forward to get HIV test done and de-stigmatise the testing activity, AIDS Healthcare set up a free HIV test camp at the festival.
