The 30-odd volunteers of the Sappho for quality stall, lesbian support group, have been instrumental in drawing people to the stall.

“We have had a stream of visitors and our publication, Swakanthe, has sold hundreds of copies this year,” says Malobika, a volunteer, while adding: “There wasn’t much awareness about the issue earlier. But the Delhi High Court ruling, which decriminalises homosexuality in India, seems to have changed the society’s outlook.”

Similarly, the stall of Swikriti, a city-based gay support group, has managed to create quite a buzz. “There is a distinct change in the attitude of the common man. Our volunteers, who are peddling our magazine in the fair, have not met with any kind of hostility. In fact people have shown keen interest in our publications,” says Rajarshi Chakraborty, secretary, Swikriti.

The interest has translated into sales too. “Our book sales have nearly doubled this