Kolkata Anandam for Equality and Justice

Kolkata Anandam for Equality and Justice (KAEJ) presented TransBosonto Utsab 2019, a two-day celebration of the Transgender Society's vibrant culture and resilience. This event, held in collaboration with Jadavpur University, aimed to raise awareness about discrimination against the LGBTQKH community and provide a platform for community members to express themselves. The festival featured discussions, art forms like 'Launda Naach,' and a documentary called "Until and Unless," highlighting the struggles and stories of individuals from the LGBTQKH community. TransBosonto Utsab 2019 sought to sensitise society, encourage acceptance, and create a lasting impact on marginalized lives.

Set in West Bengal a year before the repeal of India's anti-sodomy law, Penal Code 377, the documentary "Until and Unless" portrays the experiences of four individuals affected by systemic oppression within India's legislative system. The film features Sintu, a transwoman community leader from the Sheoraphuli red-light district; Nitu, a transwoman sex worker who lives a dual identity; Lovely, a Koti person concealing their identity while working in an office; and Pratap, a trans teen navigating identity issues. By juxtaposing their stories with insights from lawyers and activists opposing these laws, the documentary underscores the practical impact of state and social violence on community self-representation.

The LGBTKHAIQ - Parliament established by Kolkata Anandam for Equality and Justice (KAEJ) aims to build a robust platform for organising that can advocate for crucial social and policy changes to secure the human rights of the queer community in India. By fostering unity across institutions, economic backgrounds, castes, and identities, the initiative aims to formulate a comprehensive set of demands and foster widespread community mobilization. To learn more about this initiative, visit the provided link.

Kolkata Anandam for Equality and Justice (KAEJ) offers an Internship and Volunteering Programme in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania South Asia Center. Through this programme, students participate in an 8-week project at Anandam, engaging in various activities including advocacy, film, digital, and photography projects. Collaborative opportunities with the Sonagachi Research Institute for community-led research reports are also available. Anandam welcomes volunteers and interns from diverse backgrounds and experience levels, encouraging those interested to join for a summer or semester by reaching out to them.

Kolkata Anandam for Equality and Justice (KAEJ) offers LGBTQKH Training, providing both introductory and advanced workshops on LGBTQKH sensitivity and inclusion in professional and educational settings. These workshops cover essential subjects such as vocabulary, demographics, identity, and also focus on fostering empathy and comprehension of the challenges faced by LGBTQKH* students, clients, and employees. Trainers from Anandam assist organisations in creating short and long-term action plans to cultivate safer and more supportive environments, tailored to various age groups and contexts. Healthcare providers are also targeted with specialized workshops as part of this service.