QUEERISTAN
Were living in a world that is too divided based on who to love, how to love and how to live as a human being. It is time that families, companies and countries wake up to the reality that queer rights are basic human rights. I think that this book is just what India and the world needa manifesto on what to do and where to go with queer rights now!
Sonam K. Ahuja , actor
Queeristan is a business book that sparkles! Parmesh Shahani takes us on a vivid tour of queer life in India, showing us how fast things are changing in Indias workplaces, films, media, art, families and law. The glitz, glamour and celebrities in Parmeshs account make this an engaging readand his deep insights and experience in getting workplaces to be more inclusive of LGBTQ people make this book essential for smart strategists working toward a more equal and inclusive world.
Lee Badgett , professor of economics, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and author of The Economic Case for LGBT Equality: Why Fair and Equal Treatment Benefits Us All
As I read the book, I was forced to look at LGBTQ and the agenda of inclusion in different ways. Are we creating an inclusive country as visualised by Ambedkar and Gandhi? Are organisations that are quoted in this book the torchbearers to a brighter future? At a personal level, it is about realising your human potential, regardless of your gender identity. You can use this book as a manual to create an inclusive organisational culture; however, the chances are, it will also grip you at a personal level. I loved reading it!
Prasenjit Bhattacharya , CEO, Great Place to Work Institute, India
In this trailblazing book, Parmesh Shahani, a brilliant gay man in the corporate world, takes us on a tour de force through the industry, from older established companies like Godrej, Mahindra, Reliance, Tata, VIP and IBM to newer ones like Myntra, and discusses how and why these companies have fiercely included queer Indians in their own commercial success. Queeristan is also an important book for a post-September-2018 world, after the Supreme Court decriminalised homosexuality in India. Parmesh rightly recognises that Indias private sector, including big and small businesses, will be a major driving force in making the country one in which LGBT Indians will be equal citizens.
Menaka Guruswamy , senior advocate, Supreme Court of India
Queeristan as colourful and lively as its iconic authoris an inspiring reminder that legal and attitude changes towards LGBT+ people are driven by a coalition of local movements and heroes, including from the corporate world. India did not wait for Obama or Macron to lean on its government on their behalf to make progress on LGBT+ inclusion. Instead, queer people in India made change happen in the living bedroom, the boardroom and, eventually, the courtroom. This book is the story of this journey seen through the eyes of one of its key figures, who sits at the intersection of capitalism, activism and creativity. Queeristan is a celebration of being queer in business and outside, a celebration of India and, ultimately, a celebration of a cohesive society. A must-read for anyone who wants to understand the recipe for positive social change.
Fabrice Houdart , co-author of the United Nations Tackling Discrimination Against Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, and Intersex People: Standards of Conduct for Business , and managing director at Out Leadership
There is growing evidence which shows that LGBTQ inclusion is good for business. But human stories are the foundation of this evidencethe stories of LGBTQ people who are able to work without fear of discrimination, who are able to bring their unique viewpoints to help companies innovate, who are able to lead with compassion and empathy. In Queeristan , Parmesh does a masterful job of seamlessly blending the data with poignant personal and professional anecdotes. He creates a rich picture that presents powerful evidence but maintains a sharp focus on the human component of LGBTQ inclusion.
Drew Keller , global programme director, Open For Business
An inspiring and educative narrative that is truly fascinating. A must-read for anyone who wants to create a more inclusive organisation or, for that matter, help create a prejudice-free world.
T. V. Narendran , CEO and managing director, Tata Steel Ltd
Queeristan is an important book about how certain corporations broke ground in redefining inclusion and of stories from the ground celebrating the move from merely obeying the law to encouraging diversity and celebrating differences.
Zainab Patel , director of Diversity and Inclusion, KPMG, India
This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to bring about change in corporate India.
Radhika Piramal , executive vice chairperson, VIP Industries Ltd
Queeristan is an achievement of a movements collective effort, and Parmesh, the honorary chief of staff of Queeristan , has packed emotions, tears, laughs and love by taking us on a wonderland ride. In this utopia of Queeristana happy and respectable homeland of the outcastesinclusion is the preamble. There are far too many parallels between the Dalit and LGBTIQ+ movements that it is imperative for these two communities to share notes and check on each other. Parmesh has made a newer, sexier and queerer call for social justice in India, and this time the appeal is directed at, but not limited to, the business class of India. Rigorously researched and empirically rich, this book is full of hope and not afraid of the future.
Suraj Yengde , author of Caste Matters
Published by Westland Business, an imprint of Westland Publications Private Limited, in 2020
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Copyright Parmesh Shahani, 2020
ISBN: 9789389648140
The views and opinions expressed in this work are the authors own and the facts are as reported by him, and the publisher is in no way liable for the same.
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I always knew I was gay. Just as straight people always know they are straight. There was this one moment though, when I was maybe eight years old. I was watching Naseeb , a multi-starrer movie featuring Hema Malini, whom I love. Hema is the ultimate queer icon; I dont know why people are obsessed with this Sridevi versus Rekha comparison, and everyone forgets Hema-ji! Razia Sultan , anyone? In the Naseeb title song, Hema wears a black sequined sheath dress and a pink feather boa, and comes down in a big balloon basket from the ceiling, singing Mere Naseeb Mein Tu Hai Ki Nahin. I mean, how camp was Manmohan Desai? That was it. A light bulb went off in my head. I wanted to be her. I wanted to wear that feather boa and seduce men. I didnt want to be Amitabh. Eek! I wanted to be Hema.
Hello! I am Parmesh Shahani and I am a gay man.
Although this is primarily a business book, it is deeply personal. Memoir meets manifesto is how I described it to Karthika, my publisher, and she was sold. My previous work experience as an entrepreneur has taught me how to make the perfect elevator pitchI convinced my publisher at the Kitty Su nightclub in Delhi while watching Maya the Drag Queen shake to Dreamum Wakeupum, so I think ki the atmosphere also helped, na ? Thoda sa .