Being LGBTQ & a South Asian Desi is complicated

Being LGBTQ & a South Asian Desi is complicated

Author: Soul Sutras August 31, 2023 Duration: 49:40
Season 5 of the multi-award-winning Masala Podcast is a USA Special. Our first episode features the trailblazing sex educator, sexual health expert and advocate Dr. Varuna Srinivasan. Listen for a thought-provoking journey as we dive into the heart of sexual orientation, identity, and LGBTQ+ rights with Varuna. Varuna's story is incredible, and their empathy for others navigating their own journey through their sexual orientation & identity is astonishing. Varuna identifies as a queer, immigrant, South Asian woman. They are a sexual health expert, writer, and activist who's been featured in many publications like Elle India, Vogue, Business Insider, Cosmopolitan, and more. Varuna is the founder of Tara Health Media, a sexual health education and empowerment lead digital platform for POC communities. Varuna was named woman of courage by Serena Williams. In October 2022, Varuna was Cosmopolitan India's LGBTQ + coverstar. We are so inspired by Varuna at Masala Podcast, I know you will be too. For full transcript & info, go to:https://www.soulsutras.co.uk/s5-e1-dr-varuna-srinivasan-being-bisexual/

There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when the formalities drop away and real talk begins-the kind that tackles what's often whispered about but rarely discussed openly in many communities. That's the space Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast occupies. Created by Soul Sutras, this multi-award-winning series deliberately turns its attention toward cultural taboos, from sex and sexuality to periods, menopause, and the complexities of mental health. It moves beyond surface-level discussions to dissect shame, sexual harassment, and porn through a specific, vital lens. What you'll hear is a rich exploration of intersectional feminism as it's lived and understood by South Asian women, making it a standout in its field. Each episode brings forward the voices and views of some of the world's most inspiring South Asian women, offering stories and analysis that are both deeply personal and broadly resonant. Tuning into this podcast feels like joining a necessary, candid dialogue that challenges silence and redefines narratives. The conversations are as nuanced and varied as the experiences they represent, creating a collective sense of understanding and progress. It’s more than just a listening experience; it’s an immersion into perspectives that are crucial, often overlooked, and powerfully transformative.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Masala Podcast: The South Asian feminist podcast
Podcast Episodes
Menopause & South Asian women with TV Doctor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:52
“The menopause is still taboo in our culture & we talk through the various stages of the menopause, how it affects our bodies & minds and what we can do about it.” The fiercely feminist Masala Podcast continues as Sangee…
Growing up in India as a trans woman: Mridul Wadhwa [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:43
Please note that the topic of this podcast might be triggering for some listeners. Feel free to skip this episode if this is difficult for you. “Mridul shares what it was like growing up in India as a trans woman. She sp…
Surviving sexual abuse in childhood (Trigger warning) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:01
Please note that the topic of this podcast might be triggering for some listeners. “Nina speaks so openly about being abused by her father. I was struck by how eloquently and compassionately she talked about the incredib…
Are South Asian women pressured into motherhood? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:25
“Motherhood and the pressure around it are such important topics for us women. In this episode, we talk about society’s obsession with all women being certain kinds of mothers.” On this episode of Masala Podcast, two fie…
Can brown Indian mums be funny? TikTok star Zarna Garg [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:17
“The funny brown auntie we all wish we had, is taking over the world with her brand of Indian mum comedy.” Season four of the fiercely feminist Masala Podcast returns with Sangeeta Pillai chatting with international come…
Being a South Asian woman in Britain - South Asian Heritage Month [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:29
“I’m sitting in my brown-ness and actually enjoying it…” For this very special episode of Masala Podcast, Masala Podcast interviewed the women behind South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM). On this episode, we talk about what…
Who’s the right sort of South Asian woman? With Anita Rani [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:58
“We’re the pride of our families, we’re the shame of our families. Put a foot wrong and you’re out!“ On this episode, Anita talks about all the pressures & pains of being the “right sort” of South Asian woman. As well as…
From divorce poverty to role-model-lawyer with Vandana Shah [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:46
“My husband kicked me out of the house with less than £10 in my pocket…” Meet Vandana Shah who went through a horrific divorce herself then went on to become an award-winning divorce lawyer, author, columnist and social…
Vitiligo from childhood - why is our idea of beauty so narrow? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:16
“I was told I had Vitiligo at 20 & told there was no real cure for it…” Meet Joti Gata-Aura, a Body Positivity Spokesperson & Social Media Advocate. Joti was diagnosed with Vitiligo at a young age. But she turned a diffi…