Coming out in inverted commas because I'm unsure as to how I feel about the term. No one should feel obligated to declare their sexuality - it is a very personal thing. However, we live in a world where people are assumed heterosexual until they assert otherwise, and as such coming out is often a practical thing you have to do. How can we expect to obtain our rights, without first asserting that we exist?

Saturday 5 May 2012

About Me and the Blog

I know there must be quite a few blogs like this on the web, but I've never come across one by a Bangladeshi, so I thought I'd write one myself.


A little bit of background on me.


 I'm a bisexual Bangladeshi guy, 21 years old, Muslim, currently living and studying in England. I was born in Dhaka, Bangladesh, but my family moved abroad in the early 90's when I was still very young. Since then, it's been a lot of back and forth between various countries around the world, with a few years spent in Bangladesh here and there. 

 As such, I'm aware that my life is not at all representative of the average Bangladeshi's. I last left Bangladesh about 4 years ago, and I've always been closeted when I was there. I couldn't tell you anything about the LGBT community in Bangladesh except for what I've found online. However, over the past few months I've been dealing with coming out to Bangladeshis, Muslims, and other people whom I once thought might respond badly to my sexuality. I'm writing with the hope that someone out there who's circumstances intersect with mine will find my personal journey vaguely useful. I know when I was younger and really, really closeted, and frankly, really, really alone, a personal account like this would have been comforting to read. 

 While I'm aiming to write about mostly my personal experiences, my posts might be peppered with my opinions on various LGBT issues now and again. I'm also keen on making this blog bilingual, but my written Bangla honestly isn't great. I'll try and do the same post in Bangla and English, but I doubt posts will be the same word for word. 

 And finally, I'm keeping myself and anyone I talk about anonymous for now. Details of dates, places and people will be vague.

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6 comments:

  1. Unknown5 May 2012 at 23:00

    It's sort of scary how little people in this region of the world is aware of, or rather, how little they *want* to be aware of the LGBT issues. it's a topic very carefully avoided! ( we're still at the stage of 'it doesnt exist if we dont talk about it!' stage, i'm afraid!) anyway, if at all you need help with the bangla... send me an email :) (I'm not a bangadeshi, but, bengali all right!)
    It's a brave thing you've done! Cheers!

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  2. Traveller_235 May 2012 at 23:14

    Thank you for the words of encouragement! And also for the offer of help. I'm in the process of writing out my post in Bangla right now, but if it gets too hard in more complicated posts, I'll email :)

    I'm slowly starting to talk to people, and I've been surprised at how much people are in denial....

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  3. Unknown6 May 2012 at 09:05

    you're right! denial.. and the ever present closet, ey? :P
    Frosty

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  4. Nadiya20 May 2012 at 20:12

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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    Replies
    1. Nadiya20 May 2012 at 20:17

      I came across your blog by accident, and loved it. This is a brave thing you're doing. But know this: because you are choosing to tell your story, there will be many for whom the path to self-awareness will be easier.

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    2. Traveller_2321 May 2012 at 22:58

      Thank you so much for the encouragement! That's what I'm aiming for - to make the process easier for others, especially people in Bangladesh. I'm getting my first visits from Bangladesh now, which makes me really happy :)

      Delete

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