Dapper in a grey suit and black bow tie, when Darshan Mandhana stood on the makeshift podium in Bandra’s Sky Café, he had won something greater than a beauty contest. Crowned Mr Gay India 2017 on February 12, the 31-years-old’s real victory was gaining confidence and acceptance for his homosexual orientation.
This was the second year that the pageant, which calls gay men across India to participate, had been held in Mumbai. Last year, Mandhana was one of the runner-ups. Now, he will go on to represent India in an international contest set to take place in Spain. “We need to see that that one person doing it to give the rest of us courage to do it too,” he said.
Beauty pageants are often equated with patriarchy, or the idea that women are objects whose worth is estimated solely by their looks. But in recent years, many marginalised groups in India, such as the LGBTI community and Dalits, have made an effort to co-opt such events.
Out of the closet, on a ramp
Mandhana told his conservative Marwari family that he is gay six years ago. The news was met with shock. “I’ve been to psychiatrists, psychologists, done whatever just to ensure that they would understand that there was no disorder in me,” he said. Since winning Mr Gay India, he said his family has received greater exposure to the LGBTI community.
“Till yesterday, my mother would not understand the concept of homosexuality, but since I’ve taken part in this contest she has started listening to LGBTI voices… I remember her telling me, ‘Why didn’t you tell me this earlier?’ And I replied, ‘Mom, I’ve been trying to tell you for six years.’”