Love: An act that transcends identities, strengthens and nourishes
Sini Fernandes 
The Book: I Love You Because I Love You
As July arrived with pouring monsoon and hot beverages, children’s book for All community came together to read a warm a book titled I love you because I love you by Muon Thi Van. It was also the perfect book to be read during the disability pride month with its resonating representation of queer and disabled folks.
The session began by initiating a reflection amongst the participants on what we as readers were inviting for ourselves with the reading.
I am in a place where I want to be this love that is a container for myself and everyone around me. I just love love! Just excited to be here! A reflection shared by one of the participants
As the facilitators gently turned the pages, inviting readers to read-a-loud, we took some time to hold the words in our hearts and reflect on what it means for us. Various interpretations emerged and people also shared their personal stories about the love they have experienced and the love that they wish to experience.
One of the participants also noted something very important about the illustrations: “The diversity in shapes, sizes, body colours, races, genders here is so lovely”. We explored how every small act of love has a warm intention behind it. That how loving “because” of something isn’t always selfish as the capitalist world would have us believe but how it propels us to build a sustaining community.
I used to get tiffin from this aunty in Pune, she didn’t know Hindi and I learnt Marathi so I could speak with her. She would make the tiffin with so much of love, being able to talk to her was all I could do for her. - A story shared by a participant
As we turned towards the last page, all the readers squealed with delight because of the beautiful, heart-warming representation of queer identity.
Because I love you, we change and grow together
We bid our goodbyes, our hearts overflowing with love and warmth, eternally thankful for this beautiful community of people.
The community that loves because they love
This reading was facilitated by Keerthi Palisetti
You can register for our upcoming readings here