AUDIENCE GIVES ITS VERDICT ON KASHISH 2012

An online survey was conducted after KASHISH 2012 to gauge the response of the audience to the film festival.

Here’s a look at what some of the delegates who attended the third edition of India”s biggest queer film festival had to say:

* Reinforced, rather than changed, my perceptions of them being an exceptionally, talented and sensitive lot and most of all, being very normal human beings but having the best of both worlds 🙂

* I”m queer and have seen several queer films, but every new film I watch brings in a new perspective, a new insight into the lives of people. Net net, the message is, it takes all types to make the world.

* tooooooooooooooooooo happy to attend such a queer event in public without any shame or insecurity.

* I expanded my knowledge and perception regarding the efforts taken by the film industry to promote the LGBT community.

* It was an eye opening experience while viewing films from different countries and understanding their culture and beliefs about homosexuality.

* I was extremely skeptical about being myself. I have attended Kashish festival every year but this year has been special for me. This festival has really brought huge change into my thinking towards Queer people. I completely realized the reality, it was stupid of me being skeptical all time. It is necessary and most important to remove the hesitation, discrimination towards queer people. Everyone is similar on this planet, everyone deserves to be happy, everyone deserves equal rights, respect, laws, privileges to be given in the society. Indian scene is changing rapidly and such events should be conducted more in a year to keep making the difference. Straight, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual… now it doesn”t create any hesitation within me anymore. I shall try to change my other friends’ views too towards Queer people. Thank You Kashish for such a wonderful event and you guys are doing great work. Its history!

* This festival is like a window which enables me to see and relate some characters and situations exactly similar to mine and make me feel more realistic than feeling sad and lonely.

* My perception about the transgender community has changed after watching and being a part of Kashish 2012. I was always a little apprehensive to interact with the transgender community people, but now I think I am pretty comfortable.

* Last year I came with a very dear friend of mine to support her. She is now in US, but coz of her my other
friend came out the closet and this year I attended the fest with 2 of them. I want to thank you guys… because of your efforts other LGBT & my friends have come out more confidently and are proud of what they are. They are even more confidant about how they want to spend their future. Thanks a lot.

* The films left a huge impression and made me question many self-prejudices and codes and for that I’m truly grateful coz that doesn’t happen in other spaces as much… I truly love and adore Kashish and will always do. A especial thanks and a big hug to each one of the volunteers, I think they have done a fab job, Cheers !!

* Being a 55 year-old foreigner, and having experienced gay culture openly for so many years, you might say that “I have seen it all.” Nonetheless, it was a pleasure to attend and be part of a group of obviously committed and hardworking queer people who put this festival together and to see so many people enjoying it.