Disney + Hotstar - Impact Stories

Shaileyi & Lauren On A Journey of Identity, Allyship, & Belonging

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Format: Photo Story

Participants: Shaileyi (she/her) (Writer, Editor - Communications & Marketing), Lauren (they/them) (Drama educator, Actor, Performer) 

“The rules of language dictate that you have to define yourself to be able to converse with someone,” Shaileyi begins. At 18, Shaileyi grappled with articulating queerness in Bengali. Her grandmother hinted she could confide in her, but Shaileyi felt tongue-tied. “Without the right words, I couldn’t have that conversation.” A pivotal moment of allyship came from her partner Lauren, who is genderfluid.

“For my mother, it was just a phase, something she would rather deny — that I’m not straight.” With Lauren’s support, Shaileyi created a safe space within her family. “I’ve come out to my mother bit by bit, thanks to Lauren.” Lauren uses the phrase ‘both and more’ to describe their gender, a perspective Shaileyi finds enlightening. She often switches to English to explain, and her mother is slowly learning. Lauren, a drama educator, actor, and drag king, challenges societal norms by advocating for LGBTQIA++ visibility through their art.

“I’ve struggled to find words that fit me throughout my life due to the fluid nature of my sexuality and the limitations of language,” Lauren explains. Words like ‘androgynous’ offer some comfort, but the binary structure persists. “I’m still looking for words that don’t define me by what I am not.” Reflecting on initiatives like ‘Words of Pride,’ Lauren is excited about the unbiased representation of the queer community.

“There are different shades of queerness, and that itself is beautiful; we are all living normal, happy lives,” Shaileyi emphasizes the importance of community. “It’s vital to know we’re not alone,” she says. “You can’t overstate how significant a sense of belonging can be, especially to a queer person.”

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Client: Disney+Star

Writer, Creative Direction: Virender Singh

Photoghrapher, Grading: Rusha Bose

Producer: Varsha Panikar

Production House: Star Hopper Studio

EP: Asawari Jagushte