'Desi' gay party in New York is hit among South Asians New York, June 5 : A monthly dance party started after 9/11 at a local city club has become a mainstay for many gay Indians and Pakistanis. 'Desilicious', derived from the word desi, has become the latest craze among South Asian youths who trace their heritage to countries where homosexuality remains taboo. The parties, held on a weekend, offer a rare chance to express their sexuality in an environment that embraces their culture. One can find South Asian cab drivers and hair dressers wearing sleeveless white T-shirts mingling with IT specialists and private equity analysts in khakis dancing to the tunes of Bollywood music. Latest Bollywood movie clips are projected on a large overhead screen and the DJ remixes the hottest Bollywood songs with Indian folk tunes on the dance floor at the SoHo nightclub till the wee hours of the morning. Ashu Rai, a healthcare marketer, began the Desilicious parties a few months after 9/11 along with two of his friends, Pakistan-born graphic designer Atif Toor and Mumbai-born investment banker Rajesh Parwatkar. The three, all in the 30s, felt that many gay nightspots weren't welcoming to desis, the New York Times reported. "South Asians were being regarded with suspicion, particularly Muslims," Toor said. "It seemed important to provide a space that felt safe and empowering." --- IANS <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gay_bombay> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gay_bombay <http://groups.google.com/group/Gaybombay> http://groups.google.com/group/Gaybombay Website: <http://www.gaybombay.in/> www.gaybombay.in Email: <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gay_bombay/post?postID=sF-1WE71anBidHS3GY1SYm 5klKs8kORvsCE-7rTALIhT1GR4Nb5d-rGFtKw58iwvfwc16QBg_UkFzxaeQ6q09Q> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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