LGBT activist group Nazariya QFRG is selling queer story books for children. The organisation was the subject of a huge controversy in 2020, when it was discovered that they were selling extremely vulgar colouring books to students.
The ‘queer story books’ being sold currently do not appear to contain vulgarity. A post on their Instagram page describes the book “Chintu Ki Kameez” as a “joyful and affirming story about Chintu, who prefers wearing shirts over frocks, and the loving support he receives from his brother, family, and friends as he embraces what makes him happy. Perfect for young readers to see and celebrate the beauty of all identities.”
The post makes it clear that they are not selling the books to children directly. Nazariya QFRG asks educators and parents to buy the book for the eventual consumption by children.
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The organisation is selling another book for children called ‘Piki ko gussa kyun aata hai?’ According to its social media post, the story is “set in a small Assamese village, where young Piki comes home from school upset after being teased by classmates about her close friend Kasturi. Through the comfort of her mother and the companionship of her cat Kuhi, Piki learns that friendship is something to cherish, no matter what others say.”
A third book Nazariya QFRG is selling for children is called ‘The Champa Flower’ or ‘Champa ke Phool’. The short story is about Kuddidai, a young girl who “finds joy in simple moments like wearing Champa flowers in her hair. Her bond with a close friend is expressed through small acts of care and understanding. Rooted in the everyday world of queer and trans children, this story celebrates friendship, expression, and the beauty of being seen for who you are.”
None of the books are directly sold to children. The organisations asks parents, educators and other adults to buy it for children.
Nazariya QFRG: Past Controversies
In 2020, a post from 2018 had gone viral where Nazariya QFRG had shared that they had conducted 3 half-day sessions with students at the Tagore International School in Vasant Vihar, Delhi. The workshop sought to sensitise students on gender and sexuality and other LGBT issues.
In the post, they shared the image of a man breastfeeding a baby after developing breasts. The man in question, Evan Hempel, was born a woman who underwent hormone therapy to transform into a transgender man. However, in the future, driven by maternal instinct, Hempel decided to conceive a baby through artificial insemination. Hempel was eventually successful in her endeavour.
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After the viral post sparked controversy, it was discovered that the organisation was also selling a planner/colouring book for students at discounted rates that contained the image of a nude woman wearing a dildo.
The organisation in a statement later denied that the book was ever advertised to minors. However, given that they did not mention explicitly in the post that the book was not meant for students under the age of 18, combined with the fact they are known to work with minors, suspicions continued to simmer about their conduct.
