The month of June is closely tied to a history of dissent and identity. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community have subverted the narrative of traumatic events in the history of queer marginalisation, to establish a month where the community speaks loudly and celebrates its identity with panache. Prakriti Foundation shares this sense of building a community.

The organisation kicks off Pride Month this year with a poetry reading session, panel discussion and a transgender fashion show at Alliance Francaise of Madras on June 9. “Identity is at the core of arts, literature and performance,” says Ranvir Shah, founder-trustee of Prakriti Foundation. “It is hence natural that we are allies.

” The evening will begin with a poetry reading session in English by Bengaluru-based poet and independent writer Joshua Muyiwa, who works on stories around art, culture, race and sexuality. Alongside him, model, teacher and writer of Virkaadha Vaanam , Agni Pradeep, will be speaking about her life and work in understanding gender-fluidity through verse in Tamil. A panel discussion by Jaydeep Sarkar, the director of the series Rainbow Rishta, actor Negha, and L Ramakrishnan of queer collectives like Orinam and SAATHI, will discuss the portrayal of queer people in mainstream media.

Actor Negha in a scene with Trisha| Photo Credit:Special Arrangement While Negha, the first trans woman to win the debut actor award at the 52nd Kerala State Film Awards, will speak about the opportunities available t.