The Fierce Community?
While we’ve heard a recurrent Canadian voice that claims that Sikhi is incompatible with being openly LGBTIQ, a new Sikh-specific support group has grown in Vancouver. There have certainly been South Asian-specific support organizations in the diaspora for the last decade or so (within the U.S., Trikone in SF, and SALGA on the east coast). However, these organizations have been challenged to create space for those at the intersections of regional and religious identity — i.e., between a Punjabi/South Asian ethnic identity and a Sikh religious identity. Similar organizations have recently sprouted up in the queer (South Asian) Muslim community, but this is the first formal Sikh support group I’ve heard about.
This made me reflect on other issues of integration and advocacy across communities. I think it’s vitally important to have community organizations, in part because they play a large role in creating sustainable institutions. However, I also resent that “mainstream” organizations sometimes use these institutions as an excuse for failing to provide comprehensive services for the true diversity within a larger, umbrella community. I also worry that it’s only possible to get this level of specificity in areas where there is a large enough community to achieve a critical mass.
What do you think, readers? Would a Sher in your area provide a necessary safe space? Would it be feasible?
Previous coverage: Towards a Queer ethos, A “Sensible” Religious Response to LGBTIQ Sikhs
7 Responses to “The Fierce Community?”
thanks for this post. i agree with you — a lot of cultural, religious and community organizations in our community (and other immigrant communities) use an antiquated and very narrow definition of culture/identity– be it south asian, indian, or sikh identity. for example, when SALGA (south asian lesbian and gay association) was excluded from marching in the india day parade in NYC for years. i have to wonder whether the sikh day parade would exclude a sikh LGBT organization if it existed and wanted to participate. there's so much work we have to do to change the narrowness in our community(ies) and challenge homophobia. my mom tells me about how she calls out aunties and uncles at parties, etc who say homophobic, offensive things and tries to have conversations with them. that, to me, is inspiring.
sonny, I cannot see the orgainisers of Sikh parades permitting a Sikh LGBT organisation to organise alongside them for a very long time, if ever. The community is simply too conservative about it.
I guess there is an argument for asking, are there particular issues that they face that are not faced by other South Asian gays? Wouldn't they be stronger, and be able to offer more, if they stood as one, Sikh, Hindu and Muslim? You could have counsellors and organisers of each religion dealing with those from various backgrounds themselves, but still be united and stronger in size and impact.
thanks for this post. i agree with you — a lot of cultural, religious and community organizations in our community (and other immigrant communities) use an antiquated and very narrow definition of culture/identity– be it south asian, indian, or sikh identity. for example, when SALGA (south asian lesbian and gay association) was excluded from marching in the india day parade in NYC for years. i have to wonder whether the sikh day parade would exclude a sikh LGBT organization if it existed and wanted to participate. there’s so much work we have to do to change the narrowness in our community(ies) and challenge homophobia. my mom tells me about how she calls out aunties and uncles at parties, etc who say homophobic, offensive things and tries to have conversations with them. that, to me, is inspiring.
sonny, I cannot see the orgainisers of Sikh parades permitting a Sikh LGBT organisation to organise alongside them for a very long time, if ever. The community is simply too conservative about it.
I guess there is an argument for asking, are there particular issues that they face that are not faced by other South Asian gays? Wouldn’t they be stronger, and be able to offer more, if they stood as one, Sikh, Hindu and Muslim? You could have counsellors and organisers of each religion dealing with those from various backgrounds themselves, but still be united and stronger in size and impact.
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