Rainbow colors, vibrant flash mobs, zealous parades and happy smiles. Pride Month is all about celebrating love. June is celebrated as Pride Month to every year in the honor of stonewall riots in 1969. Further scrapping to Section 377 in India has been a milestone towards bringing talks about LGBTQIA+ into open.
However the million-dollar question here lies, are we talking about it openly?
The stigma still surrounds homosexuals which makes them even more apprehensive to come out. Our society has not yet become the accepting place for every kind of love. Yet as a ray a light there are people working towards that utopian society. Following are some LGBTQIA+ organisation to connect who welcome you with an open heart and lots of love.
HARMLESS HUGS
Started as a secret organisation created by Vinay Kumar in 2012 is now an expansive and socialising community. The main aim of Harmless Hugs is to build a safe and accepting community by hosting various informative workshops and startling events. Harmless Hugs hosts yearly events like Queer Holi and Pride Flash Mobs to lighten the mood while working towards its mission. Further, they also provide assistance in legal and medical matters. Harmless Hugs is now a community of 8k members.
Contact: https://www.facebook.com/harmlesshugs/
YES WE EXIST
Started as a basic Instagram page, is now a welcoming space with 9.8K members. Their foremost aim was to create awareness around homosexuality, they also focus on caste “Gayness” and Indian Queer scenario while promoting queer artists at the same time.
Contact: https://www.instagram.com/yesweexistindia/?hl=en
Bi-COLLECTIVE DELHI
Recently been added in the safe space for Queer list published by ‘Agents of Ishq’ is a support group for Gay, Lesbians, Bi-Sexual. Focussing on creating a welcoming space to talk and those who wish to support their loved ones as well.
Contact: https://www.facebook.com/bidelhi/
NAZARIYA
Nazariya is Queer Feminist resource group oriented towards LBT groups started in 2014. Unlike others, they focus mainly on Lesbian Bisexual Women and Trans as Nazariya believes they are doubly marginalized. That is a woman who is queer too. They work towards creating an affirming environment for queer, accessing their rights and an accepting space at workplaces. Their procedure includes surveys, research and evaluation on the basis of which they take actions to create a non-negotiable reality in workplaces and organisations.
Contact: https://nazariyaqfrg.wordpress.com/
Qknit
Creativity empowers a person the most and that’s what Qknit. Uniting various small groups through the medium of art, Qknit tried to achieve its mission to spread awareness about the social rights of the LGBTQIA+ community. Their primary aim is “Equality, Equity and Sustainability” Numerous Literature, short films and Project is what makes them exciting. They also provide you with an opportunity to volunteer with them as well.
Contact: https://theqknit.lgbtq.co.in/
HUMSAFAR TRUST
An initiative started in 1994 by Journalist Ashok Row Kavi towards Queer community in Mumbai which is now widespread beyond Mumbai. It was the first openly gay community. They work towards civil rights of LGBTQIA+. They were also at forefront petitioning before SC citing various fears related to Section 377 further helping people in legal and medical matters. They also conduct educational workshops.
Contact: https://humsafar.org/
All INDIA QUEER ASSOCIATION
It is a young Queer Union working towards human rights. It is an association that primarily works online. They try to create a safe and welcoming environment for LGBTQIA+ people to come out, talk and surround themselves with like minded people.
Contact: https://www.facebook.com/AllIndiaQueerAssociation/
Commemorating this month with a Lady Gaga’s Quote
“You were born this way and you are superstars!”
Happy Pride!
