NAZ INDIA'S LGBTQI+ PROGRAM

The Naz Foundation (India) Trust is an NGO that works in the sectors of health, gender and rights. Established in 1995 by Anjali Gopalan, Naz is known for its groundbreaking community work in India on HIV/AIDS and the fight against section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (which criminalized homosexuality). Naz's current programming includes a care home for orphan children living with HIV, free counselling services, a country- wide helpline service for LGBTQI+ individuals,  LGBTQI+ support groups, gender and sexuality sensitisation and training, and the Young People's Initiative for economic empowerment of young people from marginalized communities in India.

Delhi NCR is the second largest city in the world with an estimated 26 million inhabitants. There is no official data on the number of LGBTQI+ in India, but the Government has estimated a gay population of 25 lakh (2,500,000). NGOs and statisticians would see this as a gross underestimation, and even using a ballpark figure of 8% of the population being LGBTQI+ would put that number of around 2 million* in Delhi NCR alone. Despite growing education and awareness on LGBTQI+ issues, the community still faces tremendous marginalization.

*This figure is supported by a popular international gay dating web site that reveals that India has the third highest registered number of users globally.

This programme offers a variety of services to the community. These include in-person and telephonic counselling through the Naz Dost helpline and support groups meetings. Training and sensitization with the larger community is also conducted. Naz India is building a first-of-its-kind, inclusive LGBTQI+ Community Centre in New Delhi. The Centre aims to be a secular, judgement free space for all the members of the LGBTQI+ community, regardless of gender, religion, caste or creed. The Centre will provide information on LGBTQI+ mental health and legal issues, health services with access to trained doctors, referral services, a comprehensive library containing LGBTQI+ resources, vocational classes, and data collection for public health professionals.

Your contribution will support our ongoing LGBTQI+ initiatives and the operation of the Centre. The Centre is envisioned to have three core functions:-

1. HEALTH AND WELLNESS : A health service Centre with access to trained doctors in sexual health information on HIV and other STIs and dedicated counselling services. The Centre will also run a dedicated Helpline for members of the LGBTQI+ community in distress or contemplating suicide.
2. CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT : Dedicated Support Groups: for different sectors of the LGBTQI+ community, community engagement and activities etc.
3. AWARENESS AND SUPPORT : A Centre to advocate for diversity and inclusion and an education Centre on building awareness and visibility of LGBTQI+ issues. Outreach and Training on diversity in the workplace for various organizations including, MNCs working in India, Indian corporations, law enforcement agencies etc.

This project will empower LGBTQI+ individuals, not only by supporting the under privileged and under served access their rights, information and resources but also with social and economic empowerment by instilling a sense of belonging, pride and self-worth that enable them to realize their potential and act as agents of change.

Naz India is excited to welcome New Delhi's first LGBTQI+ Community Centre. The purpose of the Centre is to foster a sense of belonging and identity in a population that is frequently isolated and confronted with alienation and discrimination within their immediate families, places of employment and public spaces and facilities. Within this space, we will provide information on LGBTQI+ mental health and legal issues, health services with access to trained doctors in sexual health information, counselling services, an education Centre dedicated to raising awareness and visibility, a referral agency, a comprehensive library containing LGBTQI+ media, vocational classes, support groups, a helpline, data collection for public health professionals, outreach and training, and legal counsel. We envision the Centre to serve as a model with hopes that facilities such as these will expand across India.