Tuesday, 9 September 2025

Queering India

Katherine COPSEY (Southern Metropolitan) (14:01): Last sitting week I was pleased to attend the world-first parliamentary screening of the documentary Queering India, and I thank the creative and activist communities behind this wonderful film and my Legislative Council colleagues Ms Payne, Mr Puglielli and Mr Galea for hosting this wonderful event. The documentary examines the long road being walked towards the right to same-sex marriage in India and the hurdles faced by activists to recognition of equal love as well as the deeply personal stories and injustices motivating those fighting for their human rights. It contains a fascinating and well-researched examination of the way same-sex love in India was once celebrated, not silenced, through culture and a call to action to make this the case once again. Queer journalist and actor Swapnesh Dubey has shared this story as a heartfelt and rigorous retort to the stigma and injustice faced by the LGBTIQA+ community in India, and it is an honour that our Victorian Parliament has been able to help spread this message and elevate the calls for same-sex marriage rights in India. Thank you once again to the filmmakers and our MP sponsors for bringing this call into the Parliament.