As far as LGBTQ rights in India are concerned, we have a long way to go. But it would be wrong to say that no progress has been made. Sexual minorities and their rights are definitely picking up steam in our country.
Why do I say that? Well, being a trans dude myself, I have noticed a slight but definite shift in people’s attitudes.
To give you one example, the Supreme Court recently ruled that queer couples, unmarried partnerships and single parents, are also entitled to legal protection and social benefits that only traditional family units have been enjoying so far.
To give you another example, consider Hindi films like “Badhaai Do” and “Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui”. These are commercial blockbusters with LGBTQIA+ themes. When Bollywood decides to jump on to the bandwagon, you know it’s gaining acceptance in the nation.
With that being said, if you are a queer person looking for a safe space around you, it might not always be easily available.
But, fear not, for there are organisations in almost every part of the country, working towards LGBTQIA+ rights. Reach out to them if you need someone to talk to. Here are 10 such organisations:
- Ya All NorthEast: Ya-All, which reads as Ya-wol in Manipuri, means revolution. They are a first-of-their-kind queer and youth led and focused registered network, based in Imphal. They work mostly on the health and wellbeing of adolescents and youth from the LGBTQIA+ community. By the way, Ya-All also boasts of the country’s first, all-trans-men football team!
- Nestam, Andhra Pradesh: Since its inception, Nestam has been helping to spread awareness on a plethora of issues pertaining to the queer community. They do it via film screenings, human libraries, pride month celebrations etc. They are based out of the town of Vizag in Andhra Pradesh.
- Lakshya Trust, Gujarat: India’s first openly gay prince, Manvendra Singh Gohil, has turned his palace grounds in Rajpipla into a shelter home for people from the LGBTQIA+ community. Lakshya trust ensures that vocational training is provided to queer folks so they can support themselves.
- Sahayathrika, Kerala: It was formed in the backdrop of rising instances of death by suicide of lesbian women in Kerala. It is an organization that mainly caters to the needs of lesbian as well as bisexual women, and trans men, who are Malayalali. Its name is a Malayalam word meaning women who are co-travellers.
- Queerगढ़, Chattisgarh: Based out of Raipur, they are responsible for organising Chattisgarh’s first pride march. For those of us living in metro cities, this might not be a big deal, but asserting oneself in the face of small-town India’s conservative mentality, is nothing short of revolutionary.
- Humsafar Trust, Maharashtra: HST is based out of Mumbai and was founded in 1994. It is one of the largest and most active LGBTQIA+ organisations in India. It provides counselling, advocacy and healthcare to queer folks. They have a HIV testing center, too. I may not always agree with HST’s stance on different issues, but their work is commendable nonetheless.
- Sappho For Equality, West Bengal: Sappho is another oldie but goldie. It was founded in 1999 in Kolkata. It aims to establish a society free of gender-sexual discrimination, where sexual minorities and their rights are protected. It also handles crisis cases such as LGBTQIA+ folks being harassed by their family members etc.
- Sangama, Karantaka: In their own words, this Bengaluru and Hassan-based organisation “works to bring sexuality, sexual preference and gender identity into the realm of public discourse and link it to human rights development and other social movements.”
- PeriFerry, Tamil Nadu: This Chennai-based startup provides employment opportunities to trans people. Not only will it connect you to a trans-friendly employer, it will provide you with free, vocational training to ensure that you are employable and confident. They also work towards fostering LGBTQIA+ equality at workplaces.
- Harmless Hugs, Delhi: What started as a secret, online community in 2013, has now grown into a community that organises both online as well as offline initiatives. It mainly focuses on community-building via conducting workshops, and events to do with festivals, films, theatre etc. If you are looking for a queer space in the capital city, you know whom to watch out for.
What are some other organisations fighting for LGBTQ rights in India, you know of and would like everyone else to know more about?