>QueerEcofeminist at 12:22, 11 November 2020

2020-11-11T12:22:00Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{short description|Indian activist and writer}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Bindumadhav Khire
| image = Bindumadhav_Khire.jpg
| caption =
| birth_place = [[Pune]], Maharashtra, India
| nationality = Indian
| other_names = Bindu
| occupation = Social worker<br>writer<br>dramatist
| notable_works = <br>
| awards = [[#Awards|Full list]]
}}

'''Bindumadhav Khire''' is an [[LGBT social movements|LGBTQ+ rights activist]] from [[Pune]], Maharashtra, India. He runs Samapathik Trust,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://samapathik.org/who-we-are/|title=Who We Are {{!}} Samapathik|access-date=2 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513130747/http://samapathik.org/who-we-are/|archive-date=13 May 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> an NGO which works on [[LGBTQ+]] issues in [[Pune district]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune-talking-/past-heroes/Pune-Heroes-Bindumadhav-Khire/articleshow/35074509.cms|title=Pune Heroes: Bindumadhav Khire|last=29 Jul|first=Pune Mirror {{!}} Updated|last2=2016|website=Pune Mirror|access-date=2 February 2019|last3=Ist|first3=17:38}}</ref> He founded Samapathik Trust in 2002 to cater the [[Men who have sex with men|men having sex with men]] (MSM) community in Pune city.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/spotlight/now-we-are-rid-of-the-code-that-disempowered-us-bindumadhav-khire/articleshow/65817915.cms|title=Now, we are rid of the code that disempowered us: Bindumadhav Khire |website=The Times of India|access-date=2 February 2019}}</ref> He has also written on the issues on sexuality in fictional and non-fictional forms including edited anthologies, plays, short-stories, and informative booklets.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/742057/gay-literature-is-firmly-out-of-the-closet-in-india-and-winning-readers-over|title=Gay literature is firmly out of the closet in India, and winning readers over|last=Chanda-Vaz|first=Urmi|website=Scroll.in|access-date=2 February 2019}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Khire left his career as a US-based [[IT professional]] to work with the [[LGBT]] community in India, returning to his hometown Pune in 2000.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CWCnSor2bDUC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false|title=Whistling in the Dark: Twenty-One Queer Interviews|last=Rao|first=R. Raj|last2=Sarma|first2=Dibyajyoti|date=2009|publisher=SAGE Publications|isbn=9788178299211|location=|pages=257–259}}</ref> Getting associated with activities of San Francisco based Indian gay magazine [[Trikone]] helped Bindumadhav to accept himself as gay man.<ref name=":0" /> Being Indian and being in the events organized by local queer community in the San Francisco and was always at the core of his stay in the US; this process culminated in him coming out to his parents and coming back to India and work with LGBT community in India.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://search.library.utoronto.ca/details?8829428&uuid=1b1d385a-ea4a-483f-97ac-4c57f256c537|title=Project Bolo. vol 1, 2010–2011 [videorecording] : a collection of oral histories of Indian LGBT persons : Bindumadhav Khire, Manvendra Singh Gohil / {{!}} University of Toronto Libraries|website=search.library.utoronto.ca|access-date=4 February 2019}}</ref>

== Activism ==

=== Samapathik Trust ===
With the assistance of [[Ashok Row Kavi|Ashok Rao Kavi]] and [[Humsafar Trust]], Bindumadhav Khire started Samapathik Trust in Pune in 2002.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/?id=HwyGAAAAIAAJ&q=bindumadhav+khire+2002&dq=bindumadhav+khire+2002|title=Trikone|last=|first=|date=2002|publisher=Trikone|isbn=|location=|pages=}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> Since then Samapathik Trust has taken up several initiatives to reach, intervene, and mobilize the LGBT community in Pune city.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/fund-crunch-forces-ngos-to-quit-hiv-prevention-project/|title=Fund crunch forces NGOs to quit HIV prevention project|date=13 October 2015|website=The Indian Express|access-date=3 February 2019}}</ref>

* HIV/AIDS, Helpline – Bindumadhav started a telephonic helpline service for MSM community in 2008,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/now-a-helpline-for-the-gay-fraternity/384521/|title=Now, a helpline for the gay fraternity – Indian Express|website=The Indian Express|access-date=3 February 2019}}</ref>
* Drop in Center – For community meetings, informal gatherings the DIC was operational till July 2015 and it was closed because of shortage of funds.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://simc-wire.com/not-so-gay-after-all/|title=Not so 'gay' after all|last=Mukherjee|first=Jui|date=23 July 2015|website=SIMC Wire|access-date=4 February 2019}}</ref>
* Periodical HIV testing Camps –
* Beauty Parlor/Training center – Beauty parlor and training center was started with the name of ''Purple Lotus Beauty Salon and Training Academy'' specially to cater needs of transgender community in Pune city, who ever otherwise denied services in other beauty parlors meant for women.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/cover-story/Trans-cending-borders-of-beauty/articleshow/32218210.cms|title=Trans-cending borders of beauty|last=8 Mar|first=Vijay ChavanVijay Chavan {{!}} Updated|last2=2011|website=Pune Mirror|access-date=3 February 2019|last3=Ist|first3=00:32}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiamarks.com/punes-first-beauty-parlor-exclusively-transgenders/|title=Pune's First Beauty Parlor Exclusively for Transgenders|last=Indiamarks|date=19 June 2012|website=Indiamarks|access-date=3 February 2019}}</ref> Though this activity did not last long and it was shut down in next few months because of considering response from community and other technical reasons.

=== Pune Pride Parade ===
{{Main|Pune Pride}}
Bindumadhav started [[Pune Pride]] March in 2011,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/LGBT-community-holds-rally-in-city/articleshow/11075031.cms|title=LGBT community holds rally in city |website=The Times of India|access-date=2 February 2019}}</ref> Pune Pride started with 100 community members participating in the first march and till 2018 it has risen to 800 participants.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/sexuality/column-pune-pride-raises-a-toast-to-equality-2621761|title=Pune pride raises a toast to equality|date=4 June 2018|website=dna|access-date=2 February 2019}}</ref>

=== Advait Queer Film Festival ===

With the belief that films are good medium of education Bindumadhav started film festival first Pune in 2014<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/city-to-host-its-1st-lgbt-film-festival/|title=City to host its 1st LGBT film festival|date=23 August 2014|website=The Indian Express|access-date=2 February 2019}}</ref> After the first year of festival it was forced wait till the enough funds were gathered to host it. In 2017 December Pune had its second film festival<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-others/on-pause-for-three-years-due-to-lack-of-funding-queer-film-festival-makes-a-comeback-tomorrow-5003161/|title=On pause for three years due to lack of funding, Pune queer film festival makes a comeback tomorrow|date=29 December 2017|website=The Indian Express|access-date=2 February 2019}}</ref> In 2018 October the third film festival was organized, funds crunch remains big issue for film festival.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sakaltimes.com/pune/%E2%80%98advait%E2%80%99-queer-film-festival-be-held-oct-6-25714|title='Advait' Queer Film Festival to be held on Oct 6|website=sakaltimes.com|access-date=2 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tedxpict.home.blog/2018/09/12/an-interview-with-bindumadhav-khire/|title=An interview with Bindumadhav Khire|date=12 September 2018|website=TEDxPICT BLOG|access-date=3 February 2019}}</ref>

=== Muknayak – LGBT Literature Festival ===
To create a platform for emerging writers from LGBT community and Muknayak LGBT literature festival was started by Bindumadhav. Muknayak the name of the festival is inspired from [[B. R. Ambedkar|Babasaheb Ambedkar]]'s newspaper ''Muknayak''. In December 2018, the first Marathi LGBT literature festival was organized at Pune.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/not-his-or-her-story-it-is-time-to-tell-our-stories/articleshow/66905563.cms|title='Not his or her story, it is time to tell our stories'|website=The Times of India|access-date=2 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.esakal.com/pune/marathi-wikipedia-suresh-khole-pushkar-ekbote-156867|title=मूकनायकांचा संवेदनशील हुंकार|website=esakal.com|language=mr|access-date=2 February 2019}}</ref> Many gays, lesbians, trans-persons who have been writing poems, plays in print/press and even self-publishing platforms participated in the festival and presented their writings. Festival also had sessions by experts on self-publishing platforms.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com/pune-news/every-year-the-lgbti-literature-convention-will-be-held/articleshow/66800368.cms|title=एलजीबीटीआय साहित्य संमेलन होणार दरवर्षी|date=26 November 2018|website=Maharashtra Times|language=mr|access-date=2 February 2019}}</ref>

=== Queer Katta – Informal support group meetings ===
Considering constraints of formal structures like DIC's, counseling centers and similar, Bindumadhav started informal meetings,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/no-safe-zone-for-transgenders-on-pune-campuses-still/story-xhKUcZHsSyPq2SmbNjDCsM.html|title=No 'safe zone' for transgenders on Pune campuses, still|date=31 August 2018|access-date=3 February 2019}}</ref> where anyone from LGBT community or non-community can come and meet Bindumadhav and others attending the same meeting.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/first-meet-of-lgbt-community-held-in-a-canteen-near-garware-college/articleshow/62386630.cms|title=First meet of LGBT community held in a canteen near Garware College |website=The Times of India|access-date=3 February 2019}}</ref> Such meetings are conducted once in a month, with no agenda than casual chit chat, in gardens/college canteens/public places where anyone can come and join.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/spotlight/no-judgement-only-acceptance-and-support-at-this-queer-katta/articleshow/67501197.cms|title=No judgement, only acceptance and support at this queer katta |website=The Times of India|access-date=3 February 2019}}</ref>

== Controversies ==
=== Pune Pride 2017 ===
In 2017, Pune Pride March became the site for many questions,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/pune-pride-2017-social-media-notice/articleshow/59021349.cms|title=Flamboyance or decency? Queer community in a dilemma|website=The Times of India|access-date=4 February 2019}}</ref> When organizer of Pune Pride Bindumadhav Khire declared that participants are supposed to wear decent cloths.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/sec-377-is-history-it-is-battle-won-but-war-to-get-social-equality-remains/story-VfEHN8QCcnw6Qy4GkwCn4L.html|title=Sec 377 is history. It is battle won, but war to get social equality remains|date=7 September 2018|access-date=4 February 2019}}</ref> Few participants actually boycotted Pride to show opposition to Bindumadhav Khire.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/civic/pride-march-faces-boycott-as-khire-bans-flamboyance/articleshow/58917130.cms|title=Pride march faces boycott as Khire bans 'flamboyance'|last=Chatterjee|first=Anupriya|website=Pune Mirror|access-date=4 February 2019}}</ref> But on the pride day around 800 participants came from all over India showing support and solidarity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thelogicalindian.com/exclusive/pune-lgbt-parade/|title=From Engineer in US To LGBT Rights Activist in India: Meet The Man Who Organised Pune's Biggest Pride Parade|date=15 June 2017|website=The Logical Indian|access-date=4 February 2019}}</ref>

== Writings ==

=== Edited books ===

* Manachiye Gunti (Marathi)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/marathi-book-to-help-parents-understand-homosexual-sons-daughters/1101252/|title=Marathi book to help parents understand homosexual sons, daughters – Indian Express|website=The Indian Express|access-date=3 February 2019}}</ref> /Beautiful People (English)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/Accepting-queer-children/article16667860.ece|title=Accepting queer children|last=Cornelious|first=Deborah|date=19 November 2016|work=The Hindu|access-date=5 February 2019|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> – A compilation of stories of parents of LGBT people<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/hindi/india-45479311|title=जब एक पिता को पता चला कि बेटा समलैंगिक है|date=11 September 2018|access-date=3 February 2019}}</ref>
* Saptaranga (Marathi) – A compilation of stories of third gender and transgender people<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://divyamarathi.bhaskar.com/news/MAG-saptarang-book-on-homosexual-and-transgender-gay-lesbian-4306138-NOR.html|title=सप्तरंगी लिखाण|date=29 June 2013|website=divyamarathi|language=mr|access-date=3 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513130746/https://divyamarathi.bhaskar.com/news/MAG-saptarang-book-on-homosexual-and-transgender-gay-lesbian-4306138-NOR.html|archive-date=13 May 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Antaranga (Marathi) – A anthology of autobiographies by Marathi gays and lesbians from Maharashtra<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/antarang---giving-words-to-travails-of-samesex-relationship/1134383/|title=Antarang – giving words to travails of same-sex relationship – Indian Express|website=The Indian Express|access-date=2 February 2019}}</ref>

=== Fiction ===

* Partner (Marathi/ Hindi)<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jjJGuAAACAAJ|title=Partner|last=Khire|first=Bindumadhav|date=2008|publisher=Bindumadhav Khire|isbn=|location=|pages=|language=mr}}</ref>

=== Informative booklets/books ===

*Manavi Langikakata : Ek Olakh (Marathi) (Introduction to Human Sexuality)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bookganga.com/eBooks/Books/Details/4660426605710661945|title=मानवी लैंगिकता एक प्राथमिक ओळख-Manavi Laingikata Ek Prathamik Olakh by Bindumadhav Khire - Samapathik Trust|website=bookganga.com|access-date=2 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513130747/https://www.bookganga.com/eBooks/Books/Details/4660426605710661945|archive-date=13 May 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*Indradhanu: Samalaingikateche Vividh Ranga (Marathi) (Different Colors of Homosexuality)<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YD5utwAACAAJ|title=Indradhanu: Samalaingikateche Vividh Ranga|last=Khire|first=Bindumadhav|date=2008|publisher=Bindumadhav Khire|isbn=|location=|pages=|language=mr}}</ref>
*Intersex – Ek Prathamik olakh (Marathi) (Basic Introduction to Intersex)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/civic/Insight-into-intersex/articleshow/47681307.cms|title=Insight into intersex|last=Khan|first=Ashwin|website=Pune Mirror|access-date=4 February 2019}}</ref>

=== Plays===

* Jaswanda (Marathi)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/cover-story/THEATRE-CENSURE-WITH-GAY-ABANDON/articleshow/52891016.cms|title=THEATRE CENSURE WITH GAY ABANDON|last=Bende|first=Anurag|website=Pune Mirror|access-date=4 February 2019}}</ref>
* Purushottam (Marathi)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Queer-group-to-host-play-readings/articleshow/52515437.cms|title=Pune's gay rights group to host queer play readings|website=The Times of India|access-date=4 February 2019}}</ref>
* Fredy (Marathi)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Marathi-play-locks-horns-with-censor/articleshow/52904799.cms|title=Marathi play locks horns with censor|website=The Times of India|access-date=3 February 2019}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Khire, Bindumadhav}}
[[Category:LGBT rights activists from India]]
[[Category:LGBT writers from India]]
[[Category:Gay writers]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Writers from Pune]]
[[Category:Indian expatriates in the United States]]

Bindumadhav Khire - Revision history

>QueerEcofeminist at 12:22, 11 November 2020