There are several ways to show support and solidarity towards the LGBTQ community. From advocating their rights to participating in parades, you must have done them all if you are a member or an ally. You can further amplify your voice to support the community by talking, visiting, and participating in these queer-friendly spaces created by members in the form of cafes, nightclubs and restaurants. They serve as an important medium to sustain safe space for members as well as enable open engagements and exchange of ideas. Check out some of the coolest ones in India.
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Peoples Choice Cafe, HyderabadAmra Odhbut Cafe, KolkataEdible Archives, GoaKitty Su, Delhi & MumbaiCredit: Instagram/kittysuindiaLe Flemington, Pune1. People’s Choice Cafe, Hyderabad
View this post on InstagramCredit: Instagram/peoples_choiceeLocated in the Sainikpuri area of Hyderabad, People’s Choice Cafe is one of the ideal places to truly unwind and be yourself. Their tagline ‘From food to people, it’s all colourful here’ sets the tone for their establishment and brand.
The cafe is owned by Hephzibah Smith, a member of LQBTQ+ community, and her business partner, Mohammed Adam They offer a delish range of comfort food selections, including pastas, burgers, pizzas, etc One must keep an eye on their Instagram for their special queer-friendly social events 2 Amra Odhbut Cafe, Kolkata
View this post on InstagramCredit: Instagram/amraodhbhuthOwned by four friends – Upasana Agrawal, Nandini Moitra, Kallol Guha and Raina Roy, the cafe’s name Amra Odhbut means ‘we are queer’ It is located in South Kolkata and is a cafe-cum-community that intends to foster safe space and engagements between queer individuals and allies
3 Edible Archives, Goa
View this post on InstagramCredit: Instagram/ediblearchivesOwners Anumitra Ghosh Dastidar and Shalini Krishan proudly identify Edible Archives as a queer business Established in Anjuna, the cafe welcomes guests as well as employees irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity Their eclectic menu boasts the variety and simplicity of Indian cuisines and food cultures
All of their ingredients are sourced locally and directly from farmers Some of the must-try items on their menu are lemon leaf curry, idiyappam, rasam shot with pickles, etc 4
Kitty Su, Delhi & Mumbai
View this post on InstagramCredit: Instagram/kittysuindiaGear up for a flaming night out at one of the hippiest and most queer-friendly nightclubs
Kitty Su, in Mumbai and Delhi, is the brainchild of Keshav Suri, the director of LaLit Suri Hospitality Group From voicing about abrogating Section 377 to advocating the rights of the community, Suri, a revered member of the community, has always been at the forefront of every cause Kitty Su was started as a regular nightclub, but over the years, it has turned into an inclusive, queer-friendly space that enables members and allies to engage 5
Le Flemington, Pune
View this post on InstagramCredit: Instagram/leflamingtonLe Flemington in Pune was founded by Khuzaan Dalal and his partner Taha Khan
The charming Parisian cafe specialises in international artisanal breads, activated charcoal jelly, flourless chocolate cake and their signature dessert, ‘The Grey’ that drew inspiration from the movie, 50 Shades Of Grey The story of the owners is as striking as their cafe Having met on a dating site, Dalal and Khan’s love story expanded into a business partnership Apart from being openly queer, the fact that one is a Parsi and the other a Muslim makes their relationship truly winning Social and lead images credit: Instagram/leflamington and Instagram/
