We need to bring people from LGBT community into mainstream says Richa Chadha

Actress Richa Chadha feels that society needs to bring people from LGBT community into mainstream so that they can grow in their lives.

Richa Chadha was interacting with the media at the inauguration of first integrated community based art centre & holistic LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) community clinic at The Humsafar Trust on Thursday in Mumbai.

Talking about how people from LGBT community are flourishing in films and other artistic communities, Richa said, “When our Supreme Court overturned a law criminalizing gay sex that time, you must have seen that many bollywood celebrities welcomed that verdict. Bollywood in fact is such an industry where people from LGBT community are flourishing and there is a lot of acceptability in film industry for people who belong to this community.”

Richa added that now society need to bring people LBGT community into mainstream, she said, “I think not only in film community but in every kind of artistic community whether its fashion designing, make-up or painting, people from LGBT community has been accepted but we just need to bring them into mainstream so that they can grow in their lives Some people say some ridiculous things that it’s a one kind of disease so, people who make such kind of statements should be fined so that, they will talk with some sense.”

Talking about how portrayal of LGBT community has evolved in Hindi films over the years, Richa said, “Earlier, when people didn’t have enough information about the issue so, they often used to stereotype people from LGBT community in a comical characters and I feel that is slowly coming to an end. They have been given importance in our ecosystem and society because now writing in films is getting better. There are all kind of biases that we all have grown up with so, I feel we all have to learn and evolve. I always feel that it’s our responsibility as a society to keep absorbing information and purifying our own hearts and consciousness and see how we can come together and move as a whole because these are very stupid distinctions.”

Sharing her feeling attending inauguration of first integrated community based art centre & holistic LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) community clinic at The Humsafar Trust, Richa said, “I am really happy to be here. I feel its proud moment for all us when our country has decriminalized homosexuality but still, we have a long way to go as people are ready to fight for their further rights. There are still a lot of myths and misunderstandings about gender and sexuality in our country. We have been told some pointless things about it while we are growing up so, I am really happy that this clinic is now opened up so, people can come here without any fear and stigma to discuss their issues.”

Richa also praised staff of The Humsafar Trust for their work, she said, “The Humsafar Trust has created an environment over here where they (LGBT – community) don’t feel judged which is really important thing when you belong to minority community because they feel afraid that they will be bullied or they will not get jobs or house for living. I am so overwhelmed to see the stellar work that staff of The Humsafar Trust has done for so many years and that too in a country where there are lots of wrong perceptions. It’s an uphill task but I am sure they are going to achieve their goals.”

Richa Chadha next will be seen onscreen in films like ‘Section 375’, ‘Shakeela’ and ‘Panga’.