Gautam Bhan (he/him) is a writer, researcher, queer rights activist and faculty at the Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS). A member of Voices Against 377, he was the coordinator for Bangalore and an individual petitioner in Koushal vs. Naz, 2013.
Opening with a reading of his affidavit, Gautam Bhan speaks in this interview of his experience with the queer movement and legal battle. Weaving critique and reflection with details of the courtroom proceedings, he emphasises the central role of friendships, love and respect in sustaining a movement. From the nature of family support he received, to predictions for the 2013 verdict, Bhan moves through various points of the struggle. He responds to a range of criticism by highlighting the need to continue work despite political limitations, delving into detail while explain for instance, the dilemmas of the ‘sodomy map’. Bhan then talks at length about a new generation of activism; its advantages as well as inevitable challenges that come with the shift away from single identity mobilisation to intersectional politics.
Date: 28th, September, 2013
Interviewee(s): Gautam Bhan
Interviewer(s): T. Jayashree
Camera: Girjashanker Vohra
Place of interview: Gautam Bhan’s residence, New Delhi
Format: Video, Audio, Text
Original file type: .pdf, .mov, .mp3, .jpeg
Extent: 37 pages, 02.00.56
Language: English
Rights holder: QAMRA
Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License
Credit line: Courtesy of Queer Archive for Memory, Reflection, and Activism.
Physical location:
HD Info:
[Clip 1, 00:00:11—00:20:40] Affidavits – “Even without violence, dignity can be lost”
Reading out the affidavit. Its focus on dignity. Negotiations with family. Personal challenges. Collective impact and the intersectionality of identities being heard.
[Clip 1, 00:20:40—00:26:43] In the courtroom
Shyam Divan’s personalisation of the case. Recollection of the performative nature of the court. Movements as histories of friendship.
[Clip 1, 00:26:43—00:37:00] Predictions for Koushal
Feeling of having to start again. Yet no fear, confidence of work done outside the courtroom. Uncertainty of fights in Parliament. Unlikelihood of violent repercussions. Confidence that there will be outrage.
[Clip 1, 00:37:00—00:45:20] ‘It’s not legal vs grassroots’
Critique of the idea that too much focus has been given to the case. Spectrum of strategies at play. Voices as both a legal and a very much political strategy. Distinction between fight against criminalisation and fight for legalisation. Court as also a social space.
[Clip 1, 00:45:20—end of clip] “Critique has become condemnation”
Idea of there being no pure, political space. Working with limitations. Dilemmas faced, example of the ‘sodomy map’. Parallel victories and cruelties of the court. PRISM and it’s changes in position. Need for not just ideologies, but also friendships. Relationship with Voices. New generation of activists – demographic changes & visibility of privilege.
[Clip 2, 00:00:00—00:16:00] The fight beyond 377
Moment of celebration occurred but difficulties of queer life continue. No moment of smugness. Critique of the new generation not feeling the same weight and how that should be seen as a positive change. Need to allow old battles to die.
[Clip 2, 00:16:00—Clip 3 00:02:58] “Diversity will come with its layers of hierarchy and power”
Increasing awareness and impact of intersectionality. Complexity of engaging with the gay marriage debate. Rapid and drastic change between generations. Importance of love and safety as a right.
[Clip 3, 00:02:58—00:29:49] “Love is not a great legal strategy but we want to talk about it anyway”
Legal proceedings and the conscious move away from physicality to feelings. Violence of language and disrespect. Twisted radicalism of the bench. Decision to go to Shyam Divan and experience of working with him.
[Clip 4] Rereading of the affidavit
The audio file, transcript and original video footage of this interview are available on request. To access these please write to us at qamraarchive@nls.ac.in.
Cite as: Bhan, Gautam interviewed by T. Jayashree on 28th September, 2013. T. Jayashree Video Collection, QAMRA, Transcript TJAV01.015.