To Be or not to Be Out

An informative documentary uncovers how LGBTQ+ South Asians struggle to live authentic lives.

For the queer South Asian community, coming out is both a liberation and a sacrifice. This moving depiction of queer life shows how LGBTQ+ people have been forced to leave behind their families and heritage to avoid heterosexual marriages, conversion therapy and abuse. The film delves deep into the consequences of such abuse on the psyche and the recovery the community undergoes from mental health issues, substance abuse and suicidal thoughts.

This film is in English and Urdu, with English Subtitles.

Emergence: Out of the Shadows

Vancouver’s queer South Asian community share their experiences of living in conservative family structures.

This feature documentary follows Jag, Kayden and Amar, three gay and lesbian South Asians. Denial, shame and despair haunted their youths, even threatening their lives. In this revealing study, we follow both the children and their parents as they emerge from the darkness to tell their stories.

This film is in English.

This screening includes a Q&A with Usha Sharma (director) Umesh Vaghjiani, Sandip (editor) and Harv (cast member from Emergence). Hosted by Aditi Khanna.

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