India relaunches its only gay magazine

Well, I guess there's no way not to like Celina for her consistent activism. Even though as an actress, she didn't quite impress me in the one film I've seen. (Golmaal Returns)

And shouldn't the Delhi High Court have ruled on that case for legalizing homosexuality by now? What's keeping them? I'm not an Indian myself, just interested in the film industry too much, so I don't really get all of the inside information.

Wow, it's so refreshing to have someone stand up for gay people in a country where homosexuality isn't even recognised let alone accepted. 

I went through a phase where I was hooked on Indian films (and the likes of Madhuri Dixit, Aishwarya Rai, Mahima Choudhary etc), but I haven't seen one in a while. I'm pretty sure I haven't seen any of Celina's films though :S

If I had known who this woman was I would DEF. have put her in my Top 10 for the Hot 100!

Not only is she a striking looking woman but she is also a very brave, vocal and visible ally.

BIG UPS TO OUR STRAIGHT ALLIES!!!

That's a woman with guts. I don't think India is one of the easiest countries when it comes to being a gay activist. I admire her bravery... and her good looks. I can't lie *blush* ^^

Get a taste of religion. Lick a witch!

Go Celina!! :DD This makes me happeh. XD

Celina Jaitley is truely amazing and I applaud her stance and  fight for gay rights. 

" True enjoyment comes from activity of the mind and exercise of the body; the two are ever united" ~ Wilhelm von Humbolt

Oh this has made my day ! Celina you are just awesome!

Just awesome!

Hello missus Celina Jaitley

You are officially the only beauty queen I have ever respected and admired. 

Well done <3

Way to go Celina! That's awesome. Especially since she has such a high profile of being Miss India.

:)

Thanks for reporting on this AE.

It's so sad that prejudice and bigotry are everywhere. It just shows the disease of homophobia can be found in all countries and cultures. Celina Jaitley is a speck of hope in the hopelessly homophobic country that is India today. It's sad that a country that gave us kama sutra, tantric sex and the beautiful statues of same sex couples outside temples in Khajuraho and Chapri could have devolved into such a homophobic culture. A perfect example of things going backward. I am hopeful things will improve in the future but the fact that Celina got hate mail just for speaking up is quite sad.

Beauty and brains what a fantastic combination. If only more former beauty queens had that much motivation and enthusiastic about helping out a good cause.

Not only is she intelligent and inspirational but she's also beautiful on the inside and outside.

I knew she was gay friendly before but i totally missed putting her in my top 10. I should have though.

She has a very interesting biography.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celina_Jaitley

She was a finalist and the 4th-runner up in the Miss Universe competition in 2001. She's one beauty queen that I totally admire and support.

She's also planning to play an Iranian princess in the film Quest of Sheherzade along with actors Sean Connery and Orlando Bloom. The film is based on Arabian Nightss and will be directed by Ken Khan. This will be Celina's first venture into Hollywood. She is also the brand ambassador of Egyptian tourism and D'damas. SO I hope we can support her first venture into Hollywood. I think she's also starring in another movie called  Love has no Language.

This news is all over her main site and various other fan sites.  

http://www.celina-jaitley.info/

http://www.mycelinajaitley.com/medianews.html

http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/features/2009/04/24/5096/index.html

Thanks for this article Stuntdouble.

Not only has she started a facebook petition to repeal section 377 (India's sodomy law) she is  also supportive of adoption and SSM as well. She's also started a link called "Talk to me" where gay supportive doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists will be on board to answer questions from LGBT people on her website. In addition, there will be a forum where LGBT people can talk and discuss serious and trivial issues and have a laugh.  If only more film stars and beauty queens worldwide were more openly supportive of LGBT the world would be a better place.

As mentioned above she is also starring in two new movies called Love has no language and The  Queen of Sheherzade. Despite the hate mail she has received she is using her high profile (as 4th runner up in Miss Universe and as a film star) to support LGBT issues. Something which is indeed quite rare.

The best extracts from her interview

http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/features/2009/04/24/5096/index.html

 Your relaunching of 'Bombay Dost' have got you hate mails. Isn't this getting a bit personal now?
It was always personal. In fact, the Lesbian and Gay community have gone and bombarded all media for putting up with the wrong information that the gay community sent me hate mails. What is happening is that there are certain cultural groups who are trying to insinuate that I am changing the Indian culture and making everybody a homosexual. Then I had people calling me on my website that I am a Lesbian wh**e. There was one journalist who asked me during the launch of Bombay Dost, "Will you marry a gay man or a lesbian woman?" I am here doing this only for the simple reason that at least understand what gay community is all about.

Have you got any role model who are openly gay, lesbian or trans-gender?
Yes, I have. The Prime Minister of Iceland is the first openly gay person at that level in politics. I admire her. I admire Prince Manvendra because he has been practically de-throned and still stood up for what he felt was right as he could not be trapped in that anymore. I wouldn't call them gay idols but I just have idols who've stood up for their rights each time. We pretend to be one of the most booming economies of the world, we are the world's largest democracy, education is top notch in India and they think that you can be modern by drinking and smoking but when it comes to homosexuality, the same people call a homosexual man a fa**ot. I don't understand.

Marriage has been a heterosexual institution in our society since its inception. Would you then work with the government to pass this bill or an act about getting gay marriage legalised?
I had started that work six months ago when I first started a petition on Facebook which has been joined by almost three hundred members from all over the world of gay and student community who've come and supported me. This is a petition to the Health Ministry to have article 377 firstly amended and then comes adoption. It just takes good human beings to make good parents and it has nothing to do with how you have sex. Straight couples are far raunchier if we start getting into this issue. So let's leave it here.

It just takes good human beings to make good parents and it has nothing to do with how you have sex

I have three films a year releasing worldwide and they think that I need publicity. If I wear an outfit wrong, believe me, that'll be more publicity than I can handle.

I am sooo happy about this!

I am of Punjabi/Indo-Guyanese background so this really makes me feel good!
I don't really know much about the queer community in India, and I am starting to explore it now!
I am so proud of Celina Jaitley!

This is huge! 

I first heard about this via Pink News, but really appreciated the article here on AfterEllen.  As someone else has already mentioned, it is interesting how in 2009 we can have Miss California who is so out of touch (and inarticulate) and at the same time have a woman who was Miss India in 2001(?) who totally gets that it's about human rights.

Perhaps she could get an 'honorary' position on the Hot 100 this year? 

I'm not really seeing the irony here. Miss California is an average woman and her thoughts are representative of the average person in the US. Celina, on the other hand, is not representative of the average. She's upper class and educated and morecover obviously more liberal considering the industry she's in; the regular girl or guy in India with access to education and money would aim to be something professional like a doctor or an engineer, not something like an actor or model.

Its about time something happens in India.. make some more WITH lesbian kiss movie!

I only know one India made film with actual kiss and love scene "Fire" :/

Celina Jaitley is very supportive and proactive of gay rights with an online blog in an Indian newspaper on gay rights and as a result has faced vicious emails, boycott and death threats. She is planning to star in her first Hollywood movie, Quest of Scheherezade, as a Persian princess along with Orlando Bloom and Sean Connery. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celina_Jaitley). Let's support her.

She has a facebook group called Accept LGBT in India with Love which would be cool to join.

We often hear about homophobia from communities of color but rarely about our straight allies who support gay rights. Many  straight celebrities often offer lip service to gay rights but few work as proactively and give with their time, energy and with as much heart as Celina has and especially in such tough circumstances. She has made this her main cause alongside others that involve supporting other marginalised groups. 

The importance of gay rights to  her:
http://www.itimes.com/public_content.php?cid=94019

 
 
Taking on religious homophobes
 http://www.glamsham.com/movies/interviews/16-celina-jaitley-interview-070908.asp

 
This is her online blog in support of gay rights:
 
http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/celina-speaks/entry/calling-for-gay-rights-in
 
 
 

Past topics have included:
 
 
Alexander was like modern gay lovers! 

 
http://www.itimes.com/public_main-group.php?gid=13494

 
Taken on those not supportive of gay rights but who should be: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/09/jul/20-celina-jaitley-lashes-out-at-shobhaa-de-070912.asp

 
http://celinajaitley.bigadda.com/?p=4

 
 
http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_celina-jaitley-gets-threat-calls_1266592

I <3 u Celina..u are one of the few celebrities  worldwide actually doing concrete things for gay people and basic rights for LGBT people. I hope you remain as  steadfast in your support in the face of vicious and malicious bigotry as you are now. I will continue to support ur upcoming movies like Accident Hill Road, where you performed daring and mindblowing stunts unassisted, or your new Hollywood movies like Quest of Scheherezade alongside Orlando Bloom and Sean Connery.

Celina recently had an interview where she talked about gay rights, homosexuality in India and the myths the religious right spread, amending 377 and about how there were many sexual minorities in Bollywood.

Here it is in Hindi. I could translate it if needed.

 
http://videos.oneindia.in/watch/10597/celina-discusses-anti-gay-rights.html

 
Bollywood actress and gay rights activist Celina Jaitley has said on Monday that Bollywood industry is in favour of the amendment of the controversial Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which terms homosexuality as a criminal offence. Jaitley also said that many people from Bollywood and elsewhere in the country would come out openly if the Union Government repeals the Section 377 of IPC. "Bollywood is very supportive and the day this article (section) is repealed, I am sure many people will come out openly in support of that and there are a lot of people in our industry who are from the sexual minority and they have given a lot to our industry," said Celina Jaitley..
 
 

Celina talks about gay rights, about whether she would be in a gay movie, about speculation of her sexuality, that she would like to write in the magazine and the total support Bollywood has for gay culture but how it is in the closet.

 
It is mostly in English but I can translate the parts in Hindi.
 

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9ghpr_celina-jaitly-champions-gay-rights_shortfilms

I feel like the International gay community often neglects, ignores or fails to mention wonderful and courageous acts made by gay activists in the East and South Asian communities. So while you would see many international gay sites mentioning homophobic Ramdev like the Advocate,  365gay, queerty and others, they have forgotten to mention Celina's efforts in rebutting the lies spread by religious homophobes  about gay people and even reasserting that gay people deserve marriage, that she would get involved in a gay movie. There are some celebrities in Hollywood, probably the most liberal industry in the world, who would not say the same despite all the protections they have.

Celina has faced hate mail, death threats and boycott threats and despite this she remains active. She has also had to increase the number of body guards and protection she receives.  

I would like to see more LGBT sites recognise acts of bravery and LGBT support that occur beyond their borders.

Hmm..maybe they're being one-sided or maybe they're just unaware that diverse perspectices exist.

Celina(or her assistants who can pass this on) , if you read this i want you to know your efforts are much appreciated and an inspiration to us all. Indian, non Indian, gay, straight, able, disabled and I would want to support you any way I can. I'm joining our campus gay law group in an effort to broaden awareness of how international laws impact gay people and I hope to promote your initiatives through this. You were one of my main inspirations in being pro-active about that.

I think twittering is also a great idea and its a good way to interact with gay activists worldwide. A  good way to share ideas and build support.

 http://www.facebook.com/l/;twitter.com/CelinaJaitly

Together we can make a difference. And one day the world will be free of the scourge of homophobia and you are playing an instrumental role in bringing about that impact. I think its important to be optimistic about that at least even if it will never happen in our lifetime.

Thanks especially for being such an inspiration and a great role model to young Indian girls worldwide who often face conflicts between what is "traditional", "expected of them", what "society and parents often dictate is  their path in life"  and their own individual freedoms and desires. If cultural and societal values become out of step with current times they should be updated or thrown out. Nature, humans and  I have great hope that the next generation will be more open-minded and more sensitive than  the current one.

Just having someone of your status, your high profile, and someone with so many achievements and somone so talented reaffirm that there is nothing wrong with man-man, female-female relationships will mean a lot to these young gay/bi individuals who often have to choose between a life of love and fulfilment or a double -life of misery and despair.  

Please keep up your great work and efforts.

Whoever said having brains, beauty, intelligence, courage and determination all in one person is impossible obviously never met you. Thank you for being so out-spoken so courageous, for walking alongside LGBT and other straight allies in various pride marches. Thank you mentioning us in your interviews when you are asked about what social causes you support, for being outspoken in the media and for rebutting religious homophobes who viciously and heartlessly liken us to "animals", say we have a "congenital disorder"  and can be cured with your commonsense, pragmatic words and telling them their hate informs their views not medical, psychiatric or psychological knowledge. That has never happened before. Bollywood celebrities have timidly supported us but none have ever rebutted or gone head to head with a massive religious figure, the likes of Baba Ramdev, who even had the audacity to insult you because of your profession. However, you rebutted his words and his insults in a gracious and respectful manner. I also admire how you got the Bollywood community to issue a joint statement against 377 and in favour of amending it. In addition, how you have spoken out against journalists who sit on the offence and tell you that, despite admiring your efforts, they  think you should pick another more pR friendly cause. I love it how you tell them that they need to work harder on their activism to support gay people.

Or how you articulately tell the media, "love is nothing but an expression of human nature. Its  human nature at the end of the day. Whether it is two men, two women or a man and a woman. Even animals love each other. Everybody loves each other. "  in this launch of Bombay Dost. Or that this is happening way too late it should have happened in the 60s with the gay revolution. That it takes time for culture to change but it will happen.

But most of all how you support us despite these obstacles, your nonchalant approach to those who insult you with derogatory words like "lesbian w****" and speculate on your sexual orientation to bring you down.

I can't remember who said this but i believe it is relevant. I think its true. A person can sacrifice so much for the happiness of others and the expectations of others but they should not have to sacrifice your core internal desires, nature when it hurts no one else.

"It is better to be hated for who I am, than loved for what I am not."

 Or like you said in your recent gay rights blog.

"Take the first step in faith, you don’t have to see the whole staircase... just take the first step.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr

 And the other quote you mentioned. “Mein akela hi chala tha jaanib-manzil magar log saath aate gaye aur caarvaan badhta gaya.” (I set out for a goal without a friend or a mate, but the people kept on coming and the caravan was made.)

By going this gay law group and promoting LGBT rights worldwide i hope i am taking that first step. Thanks for providing the inspiration. 

We will be there for you Celina as your back up. Please keep up your great work. 

Video of the launch (mostly in ENglish) where she is asked questions on being part of a gay movie, gay marriage, her sexual orientation etc, why she is doing this.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9ghpr_celina-jaitly-champions-gay-rights_shortfilms

A media conference on gay rights.

she also mentions writing in the magazine, her website which will have links to it, why India as a democracy should support it, how gay people  have been around forever, her gay rights blog, she answers speculation about her sexual orientation, same sex marriage, Bollywood supporting gay people and lgbt culture, why its all about love, how culture should change etc. and more. Please check it out and send her a friendly message on her blog.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9ghpr_celina-jaitly-champions-gay-rights_shortfilms

She recently sent out a thanks email and thanked one of my friends. It made her day lol. 

xoxo 

wow..... thts great seems india is going through a big change, its great to see celina this way .... she is a doing a great great job.... a big big big thank you..... its awesome

I remeber watching a film of hers and I was like she's beautiful and hear what she is doing when no one else lends a hand is great! 

this has been my favorite music video with Celina Jaitley in it

 (Shakalaka boom boom) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKrPa4eR_CQ