Bhante Tashi Choedup (she/they), a transgender Buddhist monk from Hyderabad, India and Dr. Tushar Bhagat (he/him), a scientist and MBSR practitioner, discuss the history of Buddhism in India, its relationship to caste, class and LGBTQ+ identity, as well as what queerness brings to Buddhism on Buddha Jayanti. Buddha Jayanti or Buddha Purnima is an auspicious day that marks the birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. It is believed that this was also the day he attained enlightenment. Desi Rainbow Parents & Allies hosted a meaningful, compassionate and inclusive Buddha Jayanti Celebration on May 15, 2022, with Desi LGBTQ+ folx and their families. We listened to affirming words from the Venerable Tashi Choedup and from MBSR practitioner Dr. Tushar Bhagat, and participated in a beautiful, affirming storytelling session led by Mohit Mehta (he/him)

Eid is celebrated as a major holiday by millions of South Asians, with a dazzling diversity of language and cultural traditions. For queer folx and for their parents and families, festivals can bring up feelings of isolation and alienation. We invited all Desi LGBTQ+ folx, their families and allies to an Inclusive Eid Celebration, welcoming people of all gender identities and sexual orientations. We gathered to listen to affirming words from faith leaders and celebrate the talents and joy of LGBTQ+ Muslims. The panel of organizers share their enjoyment and experiences with Eid as members of both the Islamic, queer, and desi community. Learn more at www.desirainbow.org/eid

Desi Rainbow Parents & Allies to meet Surbhi Sahni, Chef and Founder of TAGMO, an NYC restaurant that celebrates South Asian cuisine and mithai. Proud Possibilities brings you candid conversations with LGBTQ+ and allied Possibility Models, people who lead the way with pride in the Desi community. Proud Possibilities, Episode 9, features Surbhi Sahni (she/her) a proud queer Indian female chef and entrepreneur. Surbhi is a talented savory chef of regional Indian cuisine, and a pastry chef making artisanal cakes & confections that preserve the essence of South Asian mitha. Surbhi pushes back against the manufactured prestige of Eurocentric white male chefs, and uses her platform to restore dignity to the legacies of home cooks (often women) and others who have cultivated South Asian cuisines for centuries. Hosting Desi Rainbow’s conversation with Surbhi are: Zara Ahmed (they/them), a queer, non-binary, Pakistani entrepreneur, educator, and advocate for representation, one of the founding members of Queer Mango who is passionate about uplifting queer and trans chefs and entrepreneurs. Mahereen Baig (she/her) is a mother to three boys, ages 23, 20 and 17, with the two eldest being cisgender and the youngest being transgender. Mahereen is an educator of 28 years and a proud member of Desi Rainbows Parents & Allies. To support Proud Possibilities and our efforts to build acceptance and allyship in the Desi community, follow this link to donate: www.desirainbow.org/donate

A panel of Muslim activists and parents at the Desi Rainbow Parents and Allies' Eid celebration offer their reflections during Eid-al-Fitr 2021. To learn more visit www.desirainbow.org

Proud Desi Rainbow parent Mahereen Baig shares her sheer qorma recipe.

Some comedy from stand-up Mona Shaikh! Mona is a Pakistani American Stand Up Comedian, Producer and Actor based in Los Angeles. She's opened for Patton Oswalt and produces a weekly show Minority Reportz in Orange County and LA.

Pakistani American Opera singer and composer Omar Najmi lives in Boston, and has performed at Carnegie Hall as well as on stages across the world. He is performing a song that he and his husband recorded, called “10,000 miles.”

Getting ready for Eid with a make-up tutorial with queer Muslim digital content creator and make-up artist Ayman. They are a nonbinary Pakistani American makeup artist/ influencer/ content creator. They make traditional Bollywood style lip-syncs on social media,They live loud and proud, so they can represent queer Desis and queer Muslims in the beauty industry.

A beloved classic, "Chaudivi Ka Chand," by classical musician Ravi, who performs regularly in the Bay Area.