Why these queer couples share their lives on video

From coming out of the closet to raising kids together, couples document the everyday-ness of LGBTQ lives, hoping to bust homophobia and inspire others

- Ketaki Desai

WHAT LOVE LOOKS LIKE: While Vignesh and Andrea share their journey as parents (left) Atulan Purohit and Divesh Tolani post about travelling as a same-sex couple

It was 3am, but Atulan Purohit’s phone wouldn’t stop buzzing. It was his mother who had discovered the video Purohit and his partner Divesh Tolani had posted about how they met (a tale that includes a DM slide after years of being acquaintances, pushy friends and sugarcane juice serving as a romantic gesture). Purohit hadn’t come out to his parents but now they were freaking out. “They would say they’re okay with it but wanted me to delete the channel,” says Purohit, a 25-year-old content creator who not only stuck with the video but made more with his partner on their channel Honey Imm Home.

Queer couples like Purohit and Tolani say they are tired of hiding their relationship and sexuality, and keen to let people into the realities of their lives. From videos about what it was like to come out to cooking together and raising kids together, queer Indians are sharing the complicated, banal and sweet alike.