LGBTea – IIIT-H Students Gather to Celebrate Pride Month

The LGBTQ++ community of IIIT organised an ‘LGBTea Party’, an online meet up and board game night on June 12, as a way to connect with people on the spectrum. The event was open to everyone, no matter where they lay under the LGBTQQIAAP+ umbrella. 

More than 15 people joined the event, ranging across batches, branches, and programs. Some people joined with their real names, whilst others preferred to use pseudonyms. 

The event started out with the organisers – Atreya, Mona, and Itihas – introducing themselves. They opened the floor to others who were comfortable, to introduce themselves and share their stories. 

People spoke about their experiences navigating the spectrum – with issues of identity and (un)acceptance by friends and family being brought up. Some folks shared their coming-out stories that were celebrated and encouraged by the group. The small but relevant presence of the queer community at IIIT was discussed, with the group being emphasised as a safe space for everyone. As usual, the remaining time went into complaining about research, assignments, and the IIIT life.

Following the heart-to-heart conversations, the group played Cards Against Humanity, which was met with heaps of laughter.

The organisers mentioned that they would be creating a group for the queer community at IIIT, and if someone did not feel comfortable mentioning their details in front of everyone, they could DM Atreya to get the link to the group. 

The LGBTea party was a befitting way to celebrate pride month. June may now be over, but pride isn’t! 🏳️‍🌈 
Authors’ Opinion: Kudos to the organisers for hosting a successful event and taking a step forward in building a stronger queer network at IIIT!

Editor: Jaidev Shriram