Disha on Identity, Allyship, and the Power of Words

FORMAT: Photo Story DISHA DEVDAS (she/her) Diversity and Inclusion Professional, Mumbai

 Recently in Kochi, Disha had an experience with a young driver who became more than just someone taking her from place to place. “We talked a lot, and he was genuinely interested in understanding my life. I told him I’m bisexual but explaining it in Malayalam was nearly impossible.” She ended up saying something like, “I am attracted to both boys and girls,” which made it sound purely sexual. This frustration of not being able to express her identity without oversimplifying it has been a recurring theme in her life.

 Working as an Inclusion and Diversity professional at a multinational company, Disha Devdas (she/her) understands how varied and delicate the spectrum of queerness is. “When I first came out as bisexual, it was in New York, and my perspective was shaped by the English language.” Relocating back to India, Disha realized that she didn’t have the emotional bandwidth or the appropriate words in Malayalam when speaking to older relatives. 

“While I was dating women, I still went to my mom for advice and she treated those relationships just like any other,” Disha recalls. “My sister too, though much younger, has always been a vault where I can pour my secrets.” The silent, gracious allyship from the women in her family has been a bedrock of strength for Disha. “Then there’s my boyfriend Dhruvin, who completely changed my experience of being out,” she gushes. Unlike other men who misunderstood her bisexuality, Dhruvin just wanted to support Disha, meeting her halfway in a place where true acceptance grows freely.

 “Words of Pride made me realize I’m not alone because, in some ways, I envy those who can express themselves in their ancestral language,” she shares. “But now, I’m more about living my truth.” w rite a title for this story. Client: Disney+Star Writer: Virender Singh. Photoghrapher, Grading: Rusha Bose Producer: Varsha Panikar Production House: Star Hopper Studio EP: Asawari Jagushte Catsing: Virender Singh, Eshita Chandna Line Producer: Jiten Mangle 1st AD: Eshita Chandna