I recently returned from a trip to Mumbai. What a wonderful time and experience I had. As a gay man travelling solo, I was a little apprehensive, but everyone I met was lovely, friendly and helpful.
The Queer Day Out guided tour run by No Footprints @nofootprintsmumbai was fabulous and my guide @_disha_gala was a joy to be with. I learnt so much about the LGBTQ+ community in Mumbai, including gems about gay cruising in the second to last railway carriages that goes on unseen in packed commuter trains, and the shared table policy at the legendary Kyani & Co Iranian restaurant, enabling LGBTQ+ people to mix and flirt freely.
I met a beautiful trans Hijra soul who was the guardian of a small temple down a back alley it would have been impossible to find otherwise. One of the highlights of the day was a visit to the TransCafe @transcafe2022 A small, beautifully presented and charmingly run little cafe on Mhada Rd, Andheri West, Mumbai. Again, a place not easy to find, hidden away, but so proudly run and hosted by Mahi, Zoya and Mohini, who made me feel so welcome.
An evening at The Lalit Hotel was also a wonderfully joyful and encouraging experience, seeing how proactive and positive the ethos of the Lalit Group is in its inclusivity of the LGBTQ+ and other diverse communities in its workforce and in welcoming guests. Even to the flying of the rainbow flag alongside their corporate and Indian flags outside. It is truly inspiring. I wasn’t there on a night the in-house Kitty Su nightclub was open, which holds regular Pure Love nights and drag shows, but I did get to enjoy a delicious meal at the Baluchi restaurant with Vishal Dudeja, the Lalit Marketing & Communications Manager and had a tour of the hotel’s impressive facilities.
It is so important for LGBTQ+ travellers, especially if you are travelling alone, to have local knowledge like this and be able to visit such safe spaces, knowing that you will be welcomed and be among your own kind.
If you have been to Mumbai and can recommend any other LGBTQ+ places to visit in the city, please do let me know and I will share them.
David Ledain 