Today, November 9, marks the start of the Diwali (also known as Deepavali) Festival, celebrated by Indians and South Asians around the world as the “Festival of Lights” that symbolizes the triumph of light (good) over darkness (evil).

Wikipedia has a rather comprehensive description of the holiday, while the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation has a summary of the how the festival and its cultural significance relates to gay and lesbian members of the Indian community. In GLAAD’s words, “The holiday and its themes of love, compassion and understanding also reflect the unique hopes and dreams that resonate within the South Asian LGBT community.”

The following YouTube video, made by the India Association at the University of Missouri -- Rolla, depicts the ancient legend of how Diwali first began:

For more information on the Diwali Festival, you can visit the following sites:
http://indianfestivals.info/diwali.html
http://www.deepavali.info/
http://www.indif.com/nri/Festivals/Diwali.asp
http://www.netglimse.com/holidays/diwali/index.shtml