As there are no one to talk to them in their native language 'Tamil', Lesbians scattered across the Tamil diaspora in places like Dubai and Malaysia are calling the lesbian helpline back home in Chennai. Most of them call for Support and some call to get a solution to their problems.
Few persons even call to check whether a secret marriage can be arranged for them and their better half. Indian Community Welfare Organization (ICWO) launched the helpline for lesbians in 2009 and this was the first dedicated telephonic support group in India.
During the first few months, the Helpline support staff faced more curious callers and later the calls became more serious. A.J.Hariharan who is the founder of ICWO said, "We have women calling from all areas. Rural area women talk to our volunteers as they can't share this to any one else in the village. And speaking about their sexual orientation mean lynching.
And these days calls have come from places like Malaysia and UAE. Still in many countries homosexuality is not acceptable. But they have support groups. But they don't speak in native language Tamil and that is being addressed by us."
Jenny who works as make-up artist in Tamil cine industry said, "I am in a low paying job. Most of us can't live openly as lesbians. Even though my mother accepted my sexual orientation, my father has not accepted. I had no one to talk to and now I joined a support group who can speak my language and understand my culture."
