20th June 2023, Mumbai: Actress and founder of the NGO No More Tears, Somy Ali, emphasizes the critical need for awareness and understanding of the LGBTQ community. Through her organization, Somy has rescued numerous victims of sex trafficking, domestic violence, and hate crimes within the LGBTQ community during Pride month. She believes that one day, the world will provide the necessary support and love that these individuals deserve, acknowledging the current and historical mistreatment they have endured. Somy is committed to driving progress towards a more inclusive society, recognizing that awareness depends on education and the realization that sexual orientation is not a choice.
Somy Ali reflects on her personal experiences and efforts to spread awareness during her college days. Despite facing challenges in initiating a Gay/Straight/Student/Alliance Club back in 2000, she finds solace in knowing that the initiative continues to thrive under the leadership of other students, regardless of their sexual orientation. While progress has been made, Somy highlights the importance of moving beyond tolerance and acceptance and instead striving for equal rights for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or any other aspect of their identity.
When discussing the representation of same-sex relationships in movies and the media, Somy believes that it can contribute to understanding and acceptance, particularly among younger generations. She recounts her father’s surprising response to her NGO’s significant support for the LGBTQ community, expressing his belief that people should not be discriminated against as they are created by God. Somy also praises films like “Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga” and the performances of Sonam Kapoor and Anil Kapoor for their revolutionary portrayal of same-sex relationships. She advocates for the normalization of such movies, emphasizing that they should become the norm rather than exceptions, leading to a society where terms like “tolerate” and “accept” are no longer necessary.
Somy Ali acknowledges that there is still a long way to go in eradicating prejudices and discrimination. She believes that recognizing our own biases and prejudices is the first step towards effecting change. By acknowledging these biases, individuals can work towards changing their thought processes and challenging discriminatory beliefs across various subjects.