Bengaluru: “Love is like truth, there are many versions of it,” remarked author Bhaavna Arora, at the launch of her book, Love Bi the Way, probably the country’s first novel that openly talks about the LGBTQ community.
Published by Penguin India, the book tells the story of two bisexual women through a realistic narrative, she said. “This book shows the LGBTQ relationships the way they really are, through their perspective.”
Inspired by an experience with a gay suitor who was open about his sexuality, the book is an authentic experience, she explained. “I met him and he was an incredible person, but he later told me he was gay and he was open and comfortable about it. Had we gone further with the relationship, it wouldn’t have ended well but he was honest and set me on the right way. I was so inspired, I decided to write this story.”
The bestselling author of Mistress of Honour and The Deliberate Sinner, both works of fiction, was in conversation with Kannada actor Chethan Kumar at the launch in Sapna Book House on Residency road on Sunday.
“Patriotism has always been inclusive. But today it is like a fight between need for diversity and fight for equality. Today we question our individuality. There is the right wing which has brought in an exclusive patriotism. The irony is, our Constitution is secular, so isn’t being against the LGBTQ anti-national that way,” asked Chethan.
Bhaavna, who is a businesswoman turned writer, feels that she is doing her bit to spread awareness about the queer community through this book. “When I told my family I was writing on bisexuality, they were taken aback. But when I explained the story and the situation, they understood. They say charity begins at home, so if I can change one mindset, why not reach the masses.” She mentioned that the book has already sold 20,000 copies.
