HERE are inherent challenges when one works on an issue like this oneLGBTQs. The first is to treat them, not as non-mainstream, but an inherentand natural part of our society. If they are always perceived as separate,as apart from the mainstream, we fail to integrate them cohesively andharmoniously. We need to consider them like any other individual; hetero andhomo are two sides of the same societal coin. Yet, sections within the societyhave distinct identities, like every person has. An individual can be a northIndian, one who hails from Punjab, as also a Dalit or Brahmin. Similarly, aperson can be a man, woman, third gender, man and woman, woman and man,and so on. Any mainstreaming has to be delicate; it has be a melting pot whereeach flavor stands out with its own unique taste.Another issue is the portrayal of LGBTQs. Since mass entertainment andinformation construct rigid stereotypes of people with differing identities, anissue like this has to deliberately and compulsively wean away from them.One has to show them as normal people, with varying physicality and sexualtendencies, but with similar emotions, feelings, and desires. They are like anyneighbour we confront in our residential localities, offices, and markets. Theymay look and feel different, but these are like the ones that exist betweenpeople from different regions, communities, ethnic groups, religions, and evenclasses and castes. In the end, we are humans.Not to forget their problems related to health, education, jobs, and entertainmentare similar yo ours. Everyone needs to access medical benefits, even if therequirements are not the same. In some areas, smallpox is more prevalent thanmeasles. This is true about communities too. LGBTQs are no exception; theyhave varied health issues, but they need the public health services to be asattuned to their needs as to others. The same is true about entertainment andeducation. Hence, the mainstreaming, as we said earlier, has to be homogeneous,as well as distinct. The narratives and stories have to include the mindsetand perspectives of people with different identities.Most of our stories address the above-mentioned challenges. For example, inthe piece on movies, we look at LGBTQ protagonists, whose characters are dealtwith in nuanced manner, and who come across as people with similar physical,mental, and psychological needs. In the articles on health, we look at the raceto discover HIV vaccine, like others for smallpox and polio, and the sciencerelated to the fact that genes and DNA may determine sexuality. We explorehow the societies mentioned in our myths and history were more equal, open,and integrated. They included open discussions about inclusion. We highlightchanges in workplaces, as also problems. Most importantly, we includepersonal stories and snapshots that prove that there are no differencesbetween human beings’ ambitions, needs, and desires.less