City entrepreneur starts online bookstore for queer literature
Mumbaiu00a0entrepreneur starts online bookstore for queer literature
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| BREAKTHROUGH: Shobhna Kumar. PIC/PRADEEP DHIVAR |
The champagne is on ice and the celebrations are in preparatory mode as the queer community readies to mark the one-year anniversary of Section 377 being struck down by the High Court.
But now, they have one more reason to cheer. They can now buy queer literature online.u00a0
u00a0"I think I am in the right place at the right time," says Mumbai-based Shobhna Kumar, founder-director, Queer Ink, an online store and publishing house for queer literature. It's website address is:
www.queer-ink.com "It is such an exciting time to be in India," says Shobhna, who is a lesbian herself.
"I see transformation everywhere and not just in the gay scene. I thought it was an apt time to launch and talk publicly about Queer Ink, which has been up and running for about two months now."
Fiji-born Shobhna says her transformation from bookworm to online bookstore owner came when she realised queer literature was inaccessible.
"While one can buy books from Amazon.com, it does not ship queer literature to India. There are certain books you cannot buy if you are here," she said.
Shobhna said the relative anonymity of online book shopping was a comfortable zone.
"Many have told me that they had to suffer smirks and sniggers in bookstores, if they reach out for queer-centric books. They also become acutely self-conscious. We send books to the respective addresses without the Queer Ink mark on top, just in case the recipient is uncomfortable with that," Shobhna said.
Shobhna said they had several orders from metros and two-tier towns.
"I see huge confidence in youngsters, who are open about their preferences today," said the businesswoman, who has a vision of translating the online endeavour to a real one some day.
"I would like to have a real bookstore for queer literature along with a coffee shop, some day," she said with a smile.
One can add where readers don't fear smirks but smiles, as they browse through titles or discuss 'The L Word' over a latte.
