Bangladesh took a major leap on Saturday as a group of volunteers launched the country’s very first Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer (LGBTQ) magazine.
The group has been working for the past seven to eight months on the publication, aptly named Roopbaan. The name was chosen in spirit of folk character Roopbaan, symbolising the power of love to break all social boundaries.
“We are super excited!” the editor of the magazine, told the Dhaka Tribune.
Eminent personalities such as British High Commissioner Robert Gibson and Chief Guest Barrister Sara Hossain were present at the launch.
A representative* of a support group* for the LGBTQ community in Bangladesh spoke of the major advancements around the world in this field. He also mentioned some of the recent changes that have been setbacks for the movement, for instance the recent reversal of the decriminalisation of “unnatural sex” in India.
He said: “The problem in our country is many are taking the issue politically. But this is about personal freedom. We need to take careful steps, and we don’t want our development to be hindered by a wrong step.”
As the editor of the magazine spoke with this correspondent, many came up to thank him for such a brave initiative, and for creating such a platform.
“I feel that I have a relationship with every line and letter in this magazine. A relationship that has cast such an influence on me,” said the 25-year-old before the chief and special guests gathered to unveil, from its purple covering, Bangladesh’s very first LGBTQ magazine.
Roopbaan is currently being published in Bangla, and taking submissions from volunteer contributors. It includes articles, photography, and personal accounts of the volunteers.
However, the launch saw a marked lack of female representatives. Some of the guests noticed this as well, such as Barrister Hossain, and pointed out that there has historically been a low female turnout at events regarding sexuality and sexual identity.
The launch was a success nonetheless, with the ceremony featuring a short play, dance and song performances by some of the volunteers.
“The main reason for this publication is to promote love,” the editor of the magazine told the Dhaka Tribune. “Promoting love, and promoting the right to love. The audience for love is huge, and that’s who this is for.”
The launch comes as a beacon of hope for the LGBTQ community of Bangladesh, where the traditionally conservative and majority Muslim population shuns such practices or movements. However, the country has seen rays of progress in recent years, with some of the volunteer organisations and/or support systems coming out in the open, and international organisations advocating to create a platform for them, triggering a long overdue conversation not only for the LGBTQ community, but for Bangladeshis at large.
*Names of some of the persons and organisations directly involved with the magazine have been omitted or modified in order to maintain their privacy and security.
