Unconditional Love: Simmi Nanda In Conversation With Herzindagi About Her Journey Of Accepting Her Gay Son

Simmi Nanda's inspiring journey of accepting her son’s sexuality on HerZindagi. Overcoming the societal pressure, she became an LGBTQ+ advocate and established Be Unic, empowering queer talent. Join her in celebrating love, embracing diversity, and creating a world without boundaries.

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"Just love them, hug them, and kiss them, because the closet is not the place to be," said Simmi Nanda, reflecting on her experience.

Simmi Nanda, co-founder of Be Unic, recently shared in an interview with Her Zindagi, her heartfelt journey of accepting her son's sexuality. With strong determination and love, Simmi overcame her initial shock and societal pressure to become an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Her story is indeed an inspiration for parents who are struggling to accept their queer children.

The Journey Of Accepting Her Son’s Sexuality

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Simmi's journey began when she noticed her son, Ashish, dancing flawlessly to a Madhuri Dixit song, displaying moves typically associated with girls. Intrigued and concerned, she confided in her niece, who revealed that Ashish is gay. Simon, oblivious to the concept of homosexuality and the LGBTQ+ community, was devastated by the revelation.

Summoning courage, Simmi confronted Ashish about his sexuality. Despite her love for him, Simmi found it difficult to come to terms with Ashish after learning about his sexuality, leading to a strain in their relationship.

"I used to tell my son, 'You have to be 'normal' again,’ and 'kuch na kuch to karna padega'," Simmi shared, acknowledging the difficulties they faced.

Simmi, grappling with the fear of societal judgement and pressure from relatives, faced a challenging time, and out of that fear, she blocked Ashish from her life for nearly five months. Simmi believed that if Ashish conformed to conventional societal norms, their problem would go away. She pleaded with him to ‘be normal’ and ‘do something.’

Fortunately, Simmi's elder son, Vishesh, acted as a guiding light during this dark phase. He educated her about the LGBTQ+ community, encouraging her to read and expand her understanding. As part of a public speaking course, Simon prepared a speech on the theme ‘Coming out of the closet.’ Summoning her courage, she delivered the speech, marking a turning point in her journey. "I had a breakdown while giving the speech; I started crying, but somehow, I finished it," Simmi recalled.

"In my opinion, Baccho ko shaadi karne ka poora haq hona chahiye," Simmi emphasised when discussing the status of same-sex marriage in India. She stressed how crucial it is for the well-being of the children that their parents accept them for who they are.

Bridging the Gap

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Simmi's dedication to supporting her son led her on an entrepreneurial path. When Ashish asked her to buy heels for the Mr. Gay contest, she realised the lack of options available for the queer community. With the help of her colleagues, she ventured into creating men's shoes with heels, receiving an overwhelmingly positive response. This success motivated her to expand her efforts, resulting in the establishment of Be Unic.

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Be Unic: Celebrating Queer Talent

"Be Unic is a platform for all the queer small business owners to showcase their talents," Simmi proudly stated. "We wanted to create a space where they could be themselves and express their creativity freely."

Be Unic, co-founded by Simmi Nanda and her son, provides a platform for small queer business owners to showcase their talents. Simmi's dedication to support the LGBTQ+ community and LGBTQ+ rights extends beyond her personal journey, empowering others to embrace their uniqueness and pursue their dreams.

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Simmi Nanda's journey to accepting her gay son serves as an inspiration for parents struggling to understand and accept their queer children. Through her transformation, she highlights the importance of parental acceptance and challenges societal norms. Simmi's love, courage, and unwavering support have not only healed her own family but have also paved the way for countless others to embrace love and celebrate diversity. "The most vital thing for a queer person is acceptance from their parents," Simmi concluded, advocating for a world where love knows no boundaries.

HerZindagi Pride Month: Redefining narratives, fostering awareness and a world of inclusion with thought-provoking stories around LGBTQIA. Get more awareness about LGBTQIA (Pride Month) by reading inspiring stories that will help you to open up without hesitation. #LivingWithPride

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