Anupam Sharma, a postgraduate student from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar, is carrying out a mixed-methods study to understand the everyday experience, including challenges, struggles and negotiations, of gay, bisexual and other men who are attracted to men in India, and are above the age of 40. The study has been approved by the institutional ethics committee.

Anupam writes, “Many studies have shown that growing older brings with it a lot of health complications in our community. People tend to feel lonely and depressed, with mental health further affected by ageist and disparaging statements on Grindr^TM and other dating platforms.”

He has already completed the qualitative (in-depth interview) component of his study, with participants ranging from 40 to over 80 years of age.  He is now seeking participants for the online survey, with a sample size of 200 (about 140 responses have been received as of February-end, 2019).

Inclusion criteria:

• Cis (i.e. non-trans) gay, bisexual and other men attracted to men, regardless of relationship or marital status
• Of Indian origin and residing in India at present
• Above 40 as of the date of taking the survey

If you meet these criteria, click here to take the online survey. It will take no more than 15-25 minutes. Participation in this research is entirely voluntary and can be terminated at any point. Confidentiality will be maintained.

Gujarat’s first LGBT Pride was held in Surat on Sunday, October 6, 2013. It began at  New Civil Court, Athwa Lines and concluded at Kargil Chowk, Lake View Garden, Piplod, Surat.

Link of official video courtesy Nakshatra

Also see media coverage by DNA and Huffington Post.

For more information please visit the Facebook group for Gujarat LGBT Pride Festival
or contact Swagat-on (+91) 99250 02100 (WhatsApp) or on the phone at (+91) 93112 92100.