Sexuality magazine aims to stir orthodox beliefs in Pak

London, Apr 3 (ANI): While Pakistan is known for its conservative outlook towards expression of sexuality, a new magazine in the country is creating ripples all around with its no-barred approach to sexuality.

Chay, Pakistan's first magazine about sexuality, is currently only available online.

It has already published articles entitled 'Innocence', 'The Predicament of a Polygamous Lesbian', and 'A Cry in the Wilderness: Male Homosexuality in Pakistan'.

Managing editors of the magazine, Kyla Pasha and Sarah Suhail, have insisted that their new venture is not a gay magazine.

They also say that they want to fulfil their dream of producing a print edition of the magazine, which publishes essays, poetry, photography and art.

However, Suhail, who is openly gay, has said that she was partly inspired to develop the project after living in Seattle.

In an interview at Lahore apartment, the 26-year-old researcher said that she wanted to set up something for gay and transgender people back home.

"I wanted to create some sort of queer space here, but then we thought that perhaps would not be safe. So we thought about a magazine instead," the Independent quoted her as saying.

Pasha, 29, who teaches at a university, added: "It's not a gay magazine. It's a magazine about sexuality. People can talk about any sort of sexuality but it seems people are more interested in those that are most marginalised - gay, or third gender. We've actually struggled to find content relating to straight sexuality."

With the magazine, the editors are keen to encourage debate about sexuality within their country, and challenge received wisdoms.

They said that the magazine was not just about promoting gay equality, but also promoting the rights of women and the right of people to make their own choices regardless of what society might say.

Pasha said that talking to female friends, who were ridden with guilt because they did not wait to marry before having sex, also inspired the venture. (ANI)