Keeping It Queer

U • Education • Society & Culture • Health & Fitness

Powered By EPIC ON. Keeping It Queer is an allthings Queer podcast hosted by Navin Noronha and Farhad Karkaria. The show looks at the world through a muchrequired queer lens and covers everything from laws and pop culture to queer lives and myths surrounding being different. Come on out and join them on this journey. Were not in Kansas anymore Dorothy.

Ep. 00: Preview

3 min 18 sec

A show hosted by comedian Navin Noronha, that welcome members from the LGBT community who are out and proud and cover everything from the quirks of their sexuality to how their lives evolved as a queer individual. The idea being to normalise the gay...
Ep. 01 feat. Harrish Iyer

57 min 13 sec

In this episode of Keeping it Queer, activist and gay rights advocate Vivek Patil opens up about his early childhood in Vasai, how he found confidence in his sexuality and how he landed in the police commissioners office with a dildo in his hand. The...
Ep. 02 feat. Vivek Patil

34 min 39 sec

In this episode of Keeping it Queer, activist and gay rights advocate Vivek Patil opens up about his early childhood in Vasai, how he found confidence in his sexuality and how he landed in the police commissioners office with a dildo in his hand. The...
Ep. 03 feat. Sonal Giani

44 min 24 sec

On this episode of Keeping it Queer, bisexual activist Sonal Giani talks about how she first came to terms with her sexuality, teaches us how to pronounce her surname and also opens up about the homophobia she dealt with at her workplace. The Keeping...
Ep. 04 feat. Urmi Jadhav

35 min 18 sec

On this episode of Keeping it Queer, transgender activist Urmi Jadhav sheds light on the many struggles transgendered individuals go through in India, how they live together as a family and the stigma that stops people from treating them as equals. If...
Special Edition: Voices from the Mumbai Pride

14 min 39 sec

The 2017 Queer Azaadi Mumbai Pride march saw an overwhelming response from LGBTQ individuals and straight allies alike. We go into the thick of it to learn what the Pride march symbolizes for those who were a part of it. The Keeping it Queer podcast...
Ep. 05 feat. Kartik Sharma and Cleston D'costa

29 min 53 sec

On this episode of Keeping it Queer, Kartik Sharma and Cleston Dcosta, members of the QGraphy team talk about the role photography can play in activism, the importance of coming out and also why loving yourself can make all the difference. The...
Ep. 06 feat. Sridhar Rangayan

36 min 12 sec

On this episode of Keeping it Queer, prominent LGBT filmmaker and cofounder of The Humsafar Trust, Sridhar Rangayan talks about how his movies set out to advocate gay rights and his work with Indias first gay magazine, Bombay Dost. This is part 1 of...
Ep. 07 feat. Sridhar Rangayan Part 2

47 min 44 sec

In the second part of this conversation with Navin Noronha, filmmaker Sridhar Rangayan opens up about how he met his partner of 22 years, why making films on LGBTQ issues can be daunting and why organising the Kashish film festival tends to be a lot...
Ep. 08 feat. Alok and Shaktii

37 min 56 sec

On this episode of Keeping it Queer, Navin talks to spoken word performer/activist Alok VaidMenon and their close friend Shaktii. They together talk about the problems faced by trans individuals of colour in America, how they feel living under the...
Ep. 09 feat. Shruta Neytra

48 min 44 sec

On this episode of Keeping it Queer, bisexual activist Shruta Neytra talks about her simple life in the lush surroundings of Borivali, going through the phase and getting out of it, and discloses why people in the LGBTQ community know her as...
Ep. 10 feat. Aditya Joshi

41 min 43 sec

In the latest episode of Keeping it Queer, Aditya Joshi, a PHD student and activist, talks about how he was called names for being different, why his sisterinlaw created a fake dating profile, why furry bears are here to stay and most importantly,...
Ep. 11 feat. Sumit Pawar

46 min 17 sec

In this episode, Sumit Pawar of QKnit and Yaariyan, opens up about: The need to mobilize the LGBTQ youth. How to tackle gossipy relatives. Where he gets inspiration for his unique attires at the Pride. Why sexism and homophobia go hand in hand...
Ep. 12 feat. Mili Sethia

43 min 37 sec

On this episode of Keeping it Queer, graphic artist Mili Sethia opens up about: Her imaginary friends in school. How she learned kickboxing and ballet in the same year. Why Gen Z has better makeup skills. How a seminaked Shakti Kapoor...
Ep. 13 feat. Rakesh

28 min 37 sec

On this episode of Keeping it Queer, Navin interacts with Rakesh from Gaurav CBO, who helps counsel young LGBT individuals and male sex workers. Though he isnt out of the closet, this man has helped save so many lives and we get a glimpse of his...
Ep. 14 feat. PK aka Prachi

1 hr 7 min 43 sec

On this episode of Keeping it Queer, PK Bhai aka Prachi Kathale, opens up about: Why she never had to officially come out of the closet. How she fell in love with a girl at the age of 6. How her friend was extorted for being gay. Her views about...
Ep. 15 feat. Divya Roop

1 hr 2 min 55 sec

On this episode of Keeping it Queer, Navin talks to Divya Roop, a gender nonconforming androgynous blogger. On the show, he opens up about: How he grew up in different cultures across different states in India. How he first discovered gay porn. How...
Ep. 16 feat. Sakshi

46 min

On this episode of Keeping it Queer, Sakshi, founder of Gaysi Family http://gaysifamily.com/, opens up about: Why she never had to go through the coming out experience. What the heydays of blogging were like. How stories of Indian Lesbian, Bisexual...
Ep. 17 feat. Gautam Yadav

1 hr 3 min

On this episode of Keeping it Queer, Gautam Yadav, program officer for Humsafar Trust, talks to Navin about: Why he decided to come out to his dad first. The incident that convinced him to leave school for good. What it is like to be a PLHIV in India...
Ep. 18 feat. Shiv Pandit and Siddharth Menon

37 min 21 sec

On this episode of Keeping it Queer, Navin Noronha talks to the cast of the film LOEV, a gay love story set against a road trip. Cast members Shiv Pandit and Siddharth Menon open up about: What it is like to get into the skin of a gay character. How...
Ep. 19 feat. Jerry Johnson

51 min 51 sec

On this episode of Keeping it Queer, Jerry Johnson, prominent gay rights advocate, opens up about: Why old aunties believed he could perform miracles. What his experiences with his previous relationships have taught him. Why falling out of love is...
Ep. 20 feat. Gauri Sawant

41 min 32 sec

On the season finale of Keeping it Queer, prominent Transgender activist Gauri Sawant, opens up about: Why she had to leave her family behind. The creative ways she likes to abuse. Why she decided to adopt Gayatri as her daughter. What being a mother...

S02 E01: Sadhna Prasad and Shanthi Sonu (Aravani Art Project)

43 min 2 sec

Navin is joined by Sadhna Prasad and Shanthi Sonu, members of The Aravani Art Project, who discuss how they are reaching out and encouraging conversations surrounding the transgender community across the country through wall art. In the all new...
S02 E02: Koninika Roy

48 min 4 sec

This week on Keeping it Queer, Navin is joined by Koninika Roy, the Advocacy Manager at The Humsafar Trust. She opens up about her experience of being queer and desi in London and how she got involved in LBT rights. She also tells us how her team...
S02 E03: Ghazal Dhaliwal and Jerry Johnson

52 min 12 sec

On this episode of Keeping it Queer, Navin is joined by writers Ghazal Dhaliwal and Jerry Johnson, who both talk about how mainstream literature and films need an upgrade and also explain why queer people dont need to be accepted by people. In the...
S02 E04: Savio Mascarenhas

49 min 34 sec

This week on KeepingitQueer, Navin is joined by Savio Mascarenhas, founder of Color Positive, who opens up about growing up gay in a joint family setting, enjoying the stage and sharing its joy with others. In the CultureVulture segment, Farhad...
S02 E05: Maya the Drag Queen and Rani Ko-He-Nur

30 min 4 sec

On this episode of Keeping it Queer, we meet two drag queens from India, Maya aka Alex Mathew and Rani KoHeNur aka Sushant Divgikar. Listen as they throw shade each other, serve fish and explain several colorful terms from the world of drag. In...
S02 E06: Darshil

32 min 16 sec

This week we meet Darshil S, a young chef who has been actively involved in organizing the Mr Gay World India pageant. He opens up about how he got involved with the LGBTQ community, whats it like living as a gay Desi man in Australia and how...
S02 E07: Aruna Desai and Padma Iyer

37 min 28 sec

On this very special episode of Keeping it Queer, we meet two mothers Aruna Desai and Padma Iyer. They open up about whats it like to accept your child as queer and the many learnings that come with it. In the Culture Vulture segment, Navin and...
S02 E08: Daniel Mendonca

33 min 11 sec

This week on KeepingitQueer, we meet Daniel Mendonca, who proudly represents the I in the LGBTQIA spectrum. Having been longtime friends with Navin, Daniel opens up about the many ups and downs he has faced and why he believes Christianity has space...
S02 E09: Ray

36 min 50 sec

On this episode of KeepingitQueer, we meet Ray, a spoken word artist and social impact specialist. She opens up about how growing up Queer came with jeers, taunts and mental trauma. She also sheds light on how a body cleanse helped her cope with a...
S02 E10: Siddhant and Kiran

38 min 32 sec

On this episode, Navin talks to Siddhant More and Kiran, who identify as transmen. Siddhant opens up about how he underwent sex reassignment surgery and how his friends supported him, while Kiran opens up about his passion for the queer community and...
S02 E11: Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil

47 min 26 sec

On this episode of Keeping it Queer, we are honored to be joined by Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil, a role model for several queer people in India. Navin talks to him about what it was like for him to come out as gay despite being from a royal family,...
S02 E12: Deb, Ankit and Arundhati

1 hr 5 min 44 sec

This week on Keeping it Queer, we meet Deb and Ankit, two young gay men who found love in each other. Joining them in the studio is Debs mother Arundhati, who talks about how she always knew her son was gay and also dishes out some secrets In the...
S02 E13: Shobhna S Kumar

37 min 2 sec

This week on Keeping it Queer, we met Shobhna S Kumar, founder of. She talks about how love convinced her to make Mumbai her home, her fascination with books and the role literature, films and the arts play in helping queer artists and their...
S02 E14: Sridhar and Shibu (Kashish Film Festival)

46 min 27 sec

This week on Keeping it Queer, we focus on the upcoming KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival. And to talk about it, we have Sridhar Rangayan and Shibu Thomas from the KASHISH team joining Navin in the studio. They discuss the joys and...
S02 E15: Anuja and Rupa

37 min 21 sec

This week on Keeping it Queer, we are joined by Anuja Parikh and Rupa Sengupta, an out and proud lesbian couple responsible for the new venture, Parched. They talk about how they hope to create safe spaces for the queer community and its allies. They...
S02 E16: Feat. Pradipta Ray

1 hr 9 min 23 sec

On this episode of Keeping it Queer, Navin is joined by filmmaker Pradipta Ray, who talks about the confusion over her name, what it was like to identify as trans in a culturally affluent household, her grandfathers erotica collection and why Hindi...
S02 E17: Praful Baweja

1 hr 2 min 33 sec

This week on Keeping it Queer, Navin talks to Praful Baweja, cofounder of Six Degrees, a growth network for Indian LGBTQ individuals to meet connect recruit share skills leads referrals and empower each other. He opens up about: His...
S02 E18: Danish Sheikh (Playwright of Contempt)

37 min 59 sec

This week on Keeping it Queer, Navin talks to Danish Sheikh, a human rights lawyer who is taking the fight against Section 377 beyond the courtroom and onto the stage, with his latest theatre production, Contempt. He talks to us about the idea behind...
S02 E19: Feat. Ankit Dasgupta

52 min 19 sec

This week, we meet Ankit Dasgupta, who manages social media content for Mirror Now, a reputed news channel. How he first came out to his mom. Whats it like to be openly gay in a massive news channel. What was it like to be a part of Flash Mob. ...
S02 E20: Feat. Devdutt Pattanaik

53 min 3 sec

On this episode of Keeping it Queer, author Devdutt Pattanaik joins Navin to have an indepth discussion about: How he was first introduced to Indian mythology. How people dont read enough history before interpreting religion. How Indias greatest...
S02 E21: Dan Rebello (Queer Rave)

40 min 13 sec

This week on Keeping it Queer, teacher and Instagrammer Dan Rebello joins Navin to talk about: Whats it like to not conform to one gender. How they deal with their overinquisitive extended family. How society is not equipped to accommodate non...
S02 E22: Vivek Tejuja

50 min 54 sec

On Keeping it Queer this week, Navin talks to Vivek Tejuja, major book nerd and critic. He opens up about: Discovering great erotica through books. Watching queer films on Indian movie channels late at night. The 10 LGBTthemed book every queer...
S02 E23: Ishaan Sethi

36 min 49 sec

On Keeping it Queer this week, Navin talks to Ishaan Sethi, CoFounder, and CEO, Delta App. He opens up about: His journey about being accepted as a gay man in the U.S and then in India. Setting up an app to promote inclusion for the LGBT...
S02 E24: Ishmeet Nagpal

52 min 55 sec

On Keeping it Queer this week, Navin talks to gender rights activist, writer and poet Ishmeet Nagpal. She is also the CoFounder, SXonomics and works with Save the Children, India. She opens about: Her journey with fighting for womens rights and her...
S02 E25: Ankit Bhuptani

53 min 20 sec

On Keeping it Queer this week, Navin talks to social worker, gay rights activist, founder and chairperson of GALVA Gay Lesbian Vaisnava Association, Mumbai. He opens up about: His coming out at the age of 17. How and why he founded GALVA in...
S02 E26: Sex Rated with Esha and Sneha

1 hr 7 min 49 sec

On Keeping it Queer this week, Navin and Farhad talk to Esha Paul and Sneha Nair, the producers of the series, Sex Rated: A Vice Guide to Sex in India. They talk about: The notions of sex they had, growing up. The sex toys they have used and the...
S02 E27: Parmesh Shahani

59 min 47 sec

On Keeping it Queer this week, Navin talks to Author of Gay Bombay and the Head of the Godrej Culture Lab: Parmesh Shahani. They talk about: Parmeshs early days as a Sindhi boy from Colaba, what his sense of inclusion is and his journey with...
S02 E28: Durga Gawde

1 hr 5 min 49 sec

On Keeping it Queer this week, Navin talks to artist and activist Durga Gawde. Their drag name is Shakti. They talk about: Durgas journey with her gender fluidity. How their parents created an artistic environment for them. What Durgas parents...
S02 E29: Manak Matiyani

37 min 28 sec

On this episode of Keeping It Queer, Navin speaks to Manak Mataiyani, Executive Director, YP Foundation. Manak is a feminist queer activist facilitating youth leadership for social change. He opens up about: Growing up gay in Delhi and dealing with...
S02 E30: Ashok Row Kavi

1 hr 14 min 31 sec

On the season finale of Keeping It Queer, Navin speaks to one of Indias early LGBT activists journalist and writer, Ashok Row Kavi. Ashok is credited to having founded Indias first LGBT magazine in 1990 Bombay Dost and The Humsafar Trust in...
(Rebroadcast) S02 E20: Devdutt Pattanaik

53 min 10 sec

We are rebroadcasting Episode.20 from the second season of Keeping It Queer to understand our myths better. On this episode of Keeping it Queer, author Devdutt Pattanaik joins Navin to have an indepth discussion about: How he was first introduced to...

S03 E01: Reunion

34 min 24 sec

Welcome to the third season of Keeping It Queer. This time around, we have double dose of everything from stories, to discussions, to opinions. We also have a fulltime cohost Farhad Karkaria along with Navin Noronha. On the first episode, they...
S03 E02: #MeToo

39 min 17 sec

On the second episode of our queer podcast, our hosts Navin Noronha and Farhad Karkaria are joined by the Social Media Influencer and Writer, Mahima Kukreja. She led the bandwagon of MeToo movement in India and addressed issues around it. Mahima...
S03 E03: Straight Pride

39 min 17 sec

On this episode, Navin and Farhad discuss Why Straight Pride with our straight guest Abbas Momin who is a standup comedian. Navin throws light on the history of the pride month and traces its importance for LGBTQAI community. Farhad joins in with...
S03 E04: Fag Hag

30 min 48 sec

On this episode, Navin Noronha introduces his fag hag Jeeya Sethi to Farhad Karkaria. They discuss the term fag hag and what role does that play in a gay persons life. Can there be a bad fag hag Navin and Jeeya go down the memory lane about how they...
S03 E05: Saahas Group Therapy

56 min 28 sec

On the fifth episode, Navin Noronha and Farhad Karkaria are joined by Jagruti Wandrekar and Advaita Nigudkar, Queer Affirmative Therapists. They share how fanfiction helped them to come out and how they began Saahas therapy group as a queerfriendly...
S03 E06: Monogamy

32 min 46 sec

On this episode, Farhad and Navin are joined by Standup Comedian Jeeya Sethi to discuss monogamy. They discuss the generational shift of how relationship and commitment is perceived by their parents viz the youngsters today. Are there any loopholes...
S03 E07: Gay Pageants

54 min 17 sec

On this episode, Farhad and Navin are joined by Suresh Ramdas, Mr.Gay World India 2019. He shares his journey of going through Gay Pageant and why are these representations important in a queer space. How is it more than the fanfare of appearance...
S03 E08: STIgma

1 hr 3 min 41 sec

On this episode, Farhad and Navin talk to the Queer Mental Health Professional, Richa Vashista. She shares her journey of coming out and working with queer communities to talk about the stigma around HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections. What is...
S03 E09: Tik Tok and Tech Talk

35 min 22 sec

On this episode, Navin and Farhad talk about their favorite Tik Tok videos and how technology has affected their lives. Is it the emerging genre of comedy Is there something queer in the videos where a guy plays the role of a girl Does it allow role...
S03 E10: Don't Be A Drag, Just Be A Queen

1 hr 0 min 28 sec

On this episode, Navin and Farhad talk to the Drag Queen, Sushant Divgikar about his journey as he takes on different roles of being a host, a model, a video jockey, a performer and the list goes on. Known as Rani KoHeNur, Sushant shares what it...
S03 E11: Straight Dating vs Gay Dating

45 min 20 sec

On this episode, Farhad Karkaria introduces his straight best friend, Mansher Dhillon, a Life Enthusiast and Web Series Creator to Navin Noronha. They discuss how dating differs for a straight person in comparison to a queer person. Have we become...
S03 E12: Body Image Issues

1 hr 1 min 10 sec

On the Producer Special, Navin Noronha and Farhad Karkaria are joined by the Producer at IVM Podcasts, Madhuri Adwani. They talk about body image issues related to size, color, ailments etc. Where does the body stand in relation to ones experiences...
S03 E13: Adulting 101

48 min 7 sec

On this episode of Keeping It Queer, Mansher Dhillon joins Navin and Farhad for yet another conversation on adulting which revolves around their finances, friendships, jobs, cooking, selfcare and more. Is there anything queer in growing up the way...
S03 E14: Capturing Trans Lives Through The Lens

48 min 36 sec

On this episode, Navin and Farhad talk to the Photographer Praveena Venugopal about her perspectives captured through the lens. She discusses her photography projectwhere she captured Scottish Queer Lives. What does a photograph represent...
S03 E15: Girl With A Beard

1 hr 0 min 29 sec

On this episode, Farhad and Navin are joined by the Performing Artist, Swapnil Alizeh, who has reclaimed the title Girl With A Beard. She shares her journey of being gender fluid and embracing the idenity ofAlizeh. What is her story Why does...
S03 E16: Queering Politics

1 hr 2 min 52 sec

On this episode, Navin and Farhad are joined by the Director of Dara Shikoh Fellowship, Anish Gawande, who throws light on everything political from voting to the Kashmir issue. Have we ever looked at the queer perspective of these issues Who are the...
S03 E17: Adolescence and Crushes

58 min 37 sec

On this episode, Farhad and Navin are joined by Anish Gawande to discuss their celebrity crushes and fantasies around it. They share the experience of watching equivalenttoporn videos they would jerk off to, falling in love with Shahid Kapoor phase,...
S03 E18: Asexuality - Not A Myth

50 min 51 sec

On this episode, Navin and Farhad are joined by their show Producer at IVM Podcasts, Madhuri Adwani to understand asexuality. They bust various myths around asexuality while also discussing the ACE spectrum. Is sex the base of every relationship How...
S03 E19: Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

43 min 30 sec

On the last episode of this season, Navin and Farhad talk about breakups. Why do relationships often end on a nasty note Is there a better way of calling it off Can there be an ideal breakup Tune in to the season finale where our hosts share their...