To the reader,
The struggle with your emotions when friends and family are sitting by your side, holding your hand is hard enough to bear. I think we have all experienced moments when we felt so overcome by grief that nothing seemed to make sense. For me, I have always found the support of my friends invaluable. They are the ones who sit and listen, what ever the problem may be, whether over an afternoon tea or in the middle of the night. So when I begin to imagine what it is to face these problems alone I begin to crumble, and yet in India the women appear to remain strongly calm and composed. These women have learnt to face the world, come what may, regardless of the pain they may be feeling deep within their hearts. As I spent more time in India, watching as seasons change, and the scorching summer sun slips behind the splendid monsoon clouds, my admiration for these women increases. Occasionally I am lucky enough to be allowed into the inner sanctum. I am invited to eat, drink and share the thoughts of one of these woman. For hours I have found myself deep in conversation, touching on subjects and diving into others that are passing her lips for the first time. Taboos of India are often lost on me, so I will talk under, over, and through them all. It is so important for each of us to find a release: a way to express ourselves and our thoughts on every aspect of life. No one should suffer in silence, and each of us has something unique and wonderful he or she can share. With this in mind I offer my support and encouragement to any women in India who know what it is to love another women, and to those who are unsure, search your heart and you will surely find what your looking for.
Best Wishes
Molly Blackburn
Executive Director
Lesbian Association of India
