How One News Outlet is Revolutionizing LGBTQ+ Journalism in India
Growing up in northern India, journalist Ankur Paliwal found the media's portrayal of queer individuals troubling. Headlines often depicted them in a negative light, perpetuating stereotypes and sensationalizing their experiences. Recognizing the need for change, Paliwal embarked on a mission to reshape the narrative surrounding the LGBTQ+ community in India.
In November 2022, Paliwal launched queerbeat, a digital publication dedicated to amplifying LGBTQ+ voices and telling their stories with nuance and authenticity. The platform aims to provide a safe space for queer individuals to share their experiences and address issues that are often overlooked or misrepresented in mainstream media.
One of the core principles of queerbeat is taking ownership of LGBTQ+ narratives. The publication focuses exclusively on stories from within the community, shedding light on topics such as housing injustices, ethnic violence, and religious identity. By centering these narratives, queerbeat challenges existing stereotypes and fosters a greater understanding of the diverse experiences within the LGBTQ+ community.
An essential aspect of queerbeat's approach is its commitment to supporting its contributors. Many LGBTQ+ journalists in India face discrimination and marginalization in traditional newsrooms, making it difficult for them to pursue stories that reflect their lived experiences. At queerbeat, contributors are provided with a supportive environment where they can thrive creatively and professionally.
However, queerbeat is not without its challenges. Paliwal acknowledges the financial obstacles facing the publication, as funders often prefer to support media outlets with larger audiences. Despite these challenges, queerbeat remains committed to its mission of transforming queer journalism in India.
“A moment of realization came [when] one writer pointed out that our masthead is made up of caste-privileged individuals,” said Paliwal. “[This] led to a lot of internal reflection and [making] some decisions to [ensure that our] leadership is as diverse as possible and to create a cross-sectional advisory board that I answer to.”
He added:
“We invest so much in each story because we also want to pay the writers, editors and illustrators we work with fairly. I'm still trying to figure out how to continue raising funds, but the love letters and messages we receive from our readers encourage me to power through.”
At its core, queerbeat seeks to redefine journalism by centering marginalized voices, challenging stereotypes, and fostering a culture of inclusivity and accountability. By amplifying underreported narratives and providing a platform for LGBTQ+ individuals to share their stories, queerbeat is paving the way for a more equitable and representative media landscape in India.
