Who started the campaign to downgrade the British accent from hot to clown?
Toronto! Are you coming to our next event?
So some of you will know that I’ve been a bit quiet on here the last few weeks because I’ve just moved to Toronto (for a little bit, at least). Queue people shouting ‘bo’oh o’ wa’er’ at me. I hate whoever started the TikTok campaign to downgrade the British accent from hot to clown.
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I once thought that I’d move to this city for a man, for love. But when those plans didn’t pan out the way I expected, it left an itch I couldn’t quite scratch: the need to know what it would be like to live here in this city I had become quite fond of.
It’s funny, people keep saying to me, ‘Aren’t you scared of moving alone?’ Firstly, I moved with my doggo, Ms Lady Grey. Secondly, I’m currently staying with family. Thirdly, some of my favourite people in the world live in this city. Of course, I understand that what they really mean is isn’t it scary to move without a partner. And I get it, I do, but the people in my life make it possible to be fearless — I’m so held, so loved, so fulfilled by our relationships, so far from alone. And, ironically, I don’t think I would have found that depth without doing the work after the breakup with said boy I saw my life unfold with in this city. I’m the happiest I’ve been in a long time. The most self assured I’ve ever been, the most aware and articulate of my needs, and carrying the softest heart I’ve allowed myself to have. So, I appreciate the concern, and maybe I couldn’t have done this even a year ago, but I’m so excited to play out a life here for myself: to find cute cafes and cosy reading corners, to have long winding yaps on my friend’s sofa, to see the blossom I’ve always missed out on in spring, to get tanned on Toronto’s islands in the summer, to hike out in the crunchy orange leaves in the autumn (sorry, the fall), to meet new people, to check out the dating scene…
Toronto has got a thriving, and growing, scene when it comes to love, pleasure and dating. Do you really think I’d move to a city where that wouldn’t be the case!? I’ve already got my list of things I want to check out (and review, obvs), including new spaces dedicated to intimate conversations like Birdhaus, events like singles socials at hot and cold plunge space Othership, faith based events, queer media houses I’ve followed from afar, and more. Not to mention a dense diaspora population — I’m keen to understand how well/differently we are served here. It’s a big reason I moved to the city. I’m so fired up to tell our stories, to write more about love and sex than I have been doing, and to do a lot more with Brown Bodies this side of the world: including interviews, more ways to tell our stories, and events. Speaking of which, we’ve got an event coming up on the evening of the 16th April in downtown Toronto.
Brown Bodies Live! with Sachin ‘Sunny’ Mahashi
If you’ve watched Crave’s Late Bloomer, the brainchild of Youtuber Jus Reign, you’ll be familiar with Sunny — Jus’ character’s best friend. He’s funny, real, gritty, and a standout favourite for many. He is played by Sachin Mahashi, also known in real life as Sunny!
Real life Sunny is a retired engineer turned actor with years of lived experience and many failed relationships. When he’s not filming or consulting, he’s studying astrology and the workings of the universe, hanging out with friends and family, or kidnapping the local dog at a nearby park. I’ll be sitting down with him to discuss the lessons he learnt about intimacy growing up, how that’s changed his relationship to love and sex now, and how that impacts the stories he tells and characters he plays. I’m delighted that, once again, I’ll be joined by Sonam, a psychotherapist, to help us delve deeper into the topics our conversations throw up. I always say I’m learning alongside you, so having someone like Sonam can really help us get into the weeds of the topics that come up, without causing everyone around us trauma!!
The event will be hosted at Mayil, the Indian coffee house that has popularised the South Indian filter coffee. So, of course, your ticket includes a cup of coffee or masala tea. This is a super intimate event, with space for 30 people. Half the tickets have already sold out, so tell a friend to tell a friend to grab the last few.
As with all Brown Bodies events, the evening will centre South Asian diaspora voices and stories, but our events are open to all 🧡 We will also be operating Chatham House rules, AKA what is said in the room stays in the room unless there’s explicit consent to share, to allow everyone to speak openly and freely. Oh, and there will be audience participation, so bring your spicy questions!
See you there?
A huge thanks to Toronto Event Generator for helping us making this event happen and keeping the prices as low as possible. We appreciate you!
An ask
To close out this quick life update (I appreciate you bearing with me), I have a few asks:
If you’re in Toronto and would like a new friend, please drop me a note! I’d love a chai/coffee/walk/writing date.
If you know someone you think I should know, please introduce us.
If there are people you think I should be interviewing, drop me names.
If there are events I should be attending (or partnering with), please put me on.
PS. London, I won’t be forgetting you any time soon! I’m back with events in June and October… Details coming soon 👀