New Delhi: June is recognised across the world as Pride Month, a time to highlight the experiences of the LGBTQ community and the diversity of its members. Veteran actress Zeenat Aman posted an emotional and lengthy Instagram post in honour of Pride Month, encouraging straight people to embrace the diversity of identities and relationships that exist. She addressed her remarks to the "straight folks, especially those older generations." Zeenat also included a Tagore poem in her note.
Actress Zeenat Aman recently participated in Google's #searchforchange campaign to spread a message about diversity and acceptance.
Zeenat said that she doesn't feel qualified to represent the LGBTQIA+ community since she hasn't "lived any of their experiences." The actress, however, insists that she is on their side because of the numerous members of the community with whom she has worked and become friends.
She wrote in her note, “My message is for straight folk, especially those older generations who are struggling to accept, or are outright denying, the existence of queer identities. Culture and nature are the two banal arguments that I hear cited against such relationships time and again. I am no anthropologist, but I know that healthy cultures are ever evolving. Neither am I a naturalist, but I know that queer relationships exist in a diversity of species. Beyond this is the simple matter of free will."
Zeenat Aman said that individuals who are unable to embrace the LGBTQIA+ community should adopt a philosophy of "live and let live."
She continued, “If you are someone who carries apprehensions about queerness, I urge you to not be a slave to the dead habit of hate or ignorance. The times are (always) changing, and with it so can our thoughts. The shame lies not so much in being ignorant, but in choosing ignorance. We have the tools at our disposal to know better.”
Check out her post here:
In February, Zeenat Aman joined Instagram. Following that, she has been providing her fans with more personal glimpses into her life.