India’s Ishq 104.8 FM has launched Gaydio, the country’s first LGBTQ show.

Ishq is a romantic music channel that broadcasts in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.

Owned by the India Today group, it was launched in 2007 as Meow FM – the country’s first talk-based station or women, relaunched as Oye FM – a film music format station in 2010 and as Ishq FM in September 2016.

Hosted by well-known LGBTQ activist Harish Iyer, Gaydio aims to disclose people’s narrative about the struggles of coming out of the closet and also showcase experiences and anecdotes of individuals who have taken a step in this direction.

Iyer had shot to fame after his mother posted India’s first gay matrimonial advertisement in a local Mumbai publication in 2015.

The show, which airs on Sundays at noon, wants to act as a platform to bring out different voices and spread the message that it’s time for people to reveal themselves.

Speaking about the show, Iyer says: “My intent is to keep it as inclusive and personal as possible. Radio is a very personal medium. The fact that it is a sound only medium makes it a more universal and a more accessible medium. I am sure initiatives like these would give the listener a better understanding of gender and sexuality. This show would focus on the lives of LGBTQ people and understand that we are all the same and that #LoveIsLove without tags.”

Ishq FM’s National Head – Operations Shivangini Jajoria said: “With Gaydio we want to reinstitute the fact that Love is not conditional to sexuality. We as a station finally want to hear the unheard voices of the nation.’’