South Asian Queer Voices

Older Queer Voices | Breaking Taboos in South Asian Homes: Mental Health, Care & Queer Futures

In many South Asian households, we are taught to stay silent about the things that hurt us most; mental health, domestic and elder abuse in our homes and even the idea of putting our aging parents in care homes. These conversations are often buried under the weight of “log kya kahenge?” (What will people say?), even when silence comes at the cost of safety, wellbeing, and dignity.

In this episode, we break that silence.

We explore what it means to confront these taboos as older queer South Asians, and ask: How do we build futures where we can age with care, connection, and pride?

We speak about:

· The stigma around mental health in our communities

· Hidden cycles of domestic and elder abuse

· The trauma of conversion practices

· Guilt and shame around formal care for elders

· And how we can future-proof our own lives as queer elders

Our guests bring wisdom and lived experience to this vital conversation:

🌟 Rita Hirani – Social entrepreneur and co-founder of Club Kali. A long-time changemaker, Rita’s “gay jobs” include rescuing charities and serving as a strategic adviser and former CEO of MindOut.

🌟 Saba Ali – Safety and MET Liaison Manager for UK Black Pride. A passionate advocate and community leader, Saba was recently named Role Model of the Year at the Diva Awards.

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