Written by:
Aathira Ayyappan
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Empowering Equality: Trailblazing Healthcare Organizations Supporting LGBTQ Communities in India
Empowering Equality: Trailblazing Healthcare Organizations Supporting LGBTQ Communities in India
Discover the organizations at the forefront, offering vital support and inclusive medical services to promote well-being and equality.
Discover the organizations at the forefront, offering vital support and inclusive medical services to promote well-being and equality.
Published on: 7 June, 2023
Published on: 7 June, 2023
Community-based initiatives in India are playing a crucial role in promoting LGBTQIA health and providing support to individuals within the community. These initiatives aim to address the unique healthcare needs and challenges faced by LGBTQIA individuals, offering a range of services, including counseling, health education, peer support, and advocacy.
By creating safe spaces, raising awareness, and collaborating with healthcare professionals, these initiatives are striving to improve the overall well-being of LGBTQIA individuals in India. This article highlights some notable community-based initiatives that are actively working towards LGBTQIA health promotion and support in the country.
Community-based initiatives in India are playing a crucial role in promoting LGBTQIA health and providing support to individuals within the community. These initiatives aim to address the unique healthcare needs and challenges faced by LGBTQIA individuals, offering a range of services, including counseling, health education, peer support, and advocacy.
By creating safe spaces, raising awareness, and collaborating with healthcare professionals, these initiatives are striving to improve the overall well-being of LGBTQIA individuals in India. This article highlights some notable community-based initiatives that are actively working towards LGBTQIA health promotion and support in the country.
1. The Humsafar Trust
Description
Aid provided
Who can apply
How to apply
Contact
Social Media
Description
Based in Mumbai, The Humsafar Trust is one of the oldest LGBTQ+ organisations in India. They provide various healthcare services like making the community aware about the risks of COVID-19 along with HIV, STIs, OIs, other comorbid conditions and mental health problems. They also provide healthcare-related training modules for parents and loved ones of queer persons.
Aid provided
- They conduct awareness workshops on HIV/AIDS. These interventions of HST are supported by National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) and Mumbai District AIDS Control Society (MDACS) to provide health services to 8,500 men who have sex with men, and transgender communities every year, through public health care delivery systems and its In-house clinics.
- HST collaborates with public health delivery systems of Mumbai like LTMG, Nair, KEM and JJ Hospitals. In-house clinics remain open five days a week with three qualified doctors and two lab technicians attending to clients. A clinical psychologist works full time along with a team of four community counsellors and two health facilitators and a nutritionist working on the program providing nutritional counselling assistance
- HST also organises advocacy workshops for health care providers, law enforcement agencies, judiciary, legislators, politicians and political parties, government bodies, media, student community to sensitise them on Gay, MSM and TG issues.
- HST has nurtured support groups – YAARIYAN for young LGBTQ, UMANG for LBT persons and SANJEEVANI for persons living with HIV. HST also provides legal support, crisis management, mental health and nutrition counselling to its communities.
Who can apply
All members of the LGBTQ+ community, especially those who openly identify as queer and face specific health challenges as a result.
How to apply
One can directly approach HST or their associates via email/social media or call them on the number provided. Aid will be provided based on the individual need and circumstances.
Contact
Address:
The Humsafar Trust 3rd Floor
Manthan Plaza, Nehru Road
Vakola, Santacruz (East)
Mumbai, Maharashtra 400055
Website: https://humsafar.org/
Contact: +912226673800
Email: info@humsafar.org
Social Media
2. Naz Foundation (India) Trust
Description
Aid provided
Who can apply
How to apply
Contact
Social Media
Description
Based in New Delhi, Naz Foundation works towards promoting sexual health and rights, particularly focusing on HIV/AIDS prevention and care within the LGBTQ+ community. They provide counselling, testing, and treatment services, along with advocacy and support programs.
Aid provided
- Naz is committed to provide counselling, care and support services to the LGBTQIA+ community.
- It supports individuals to access their rights such as medical services, face-to-face and telephonic counselling and referral services.
- Individuals can access the helpline to seek support on understanding their sexuality, coming out with their identity, relationship issues, safe sex practices, testing for HIV and addressing issues of discrimination.
- Naz also offers counselling support and home-based care to the families of the community members.
Who can apply
All members of the LGBTQ+ community (and their families).
How to apply
One can directly approach Naz or their associates via email/social media or call them on the number provided. Aid will be provided based on the individual need and circumstances.
Contact
Address:
A 86, East of Kailash
New Delhi 110065
Website: https://www.nazindia.org/
Contact: +911141325042, +911140793157, 911140793158
Email: info@nazindia.org
Social Media
3. SAATHII (Solidarity and Action Against The HIV Infection in India)
Description
Aid provided
Who can apply
How to apply
Contact
Social Media
Description
SAATHII is an organization that works on HIV/AIDS prevention and care, with a specific focus on marginalized communities, including the LGBTQ+ population. They provide healthcare services, advocacy, and capacity-building programs.
SAATHII’s LGBTIQA+ work is focused on amplifying community voices and efforts towards a shared vision of universal access to health, justice, social and economic protection. Apart from contributing to national LGBTIQA+ advocacy efforts, their work focuses on supporting community-driven initiatives in the states of Gujarat, Kerala, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Tamil Nadu.
Aid provided
In response to meeting India’s needs towards achieving Universal Access to healthcare, especially for the LGBTIQA+ population, SAATHII supports government, civil society, and the for-profit sector through the following approaches:
- Technical, operational and financial assistance to strengthen and expand HIV/AIDS services
- Advocacy for increased attention and political commitment on HIV/AIDS
- Research to generate evidence for an informed program response
- Knowledge transfer and sharing of HIV-related science, policy and advocacy updates
- Networking to bring people from multiple sectors together and foster collaborations
Who can apply
LGBTQIA+ community members who are at high risk of contracting HIV or those who are already living with the infection and need better healthcare resources.
How to apply
One can directly approach SAATHII or their associates/hospital partners at their head office in Chennai via email/social media or call them on the numbers provided. Aid will be provided based on the individual need and circumstances.
Contact
Address
New 30 (Old S-23)
35th Cross Street
Besant Nagar, Chennai
Tamil Nadu 600090
Website: https://saathii.in/
Contact: +914424403947, +914424403663 (Headoffice – Chennai)
Email: lgbtiqa@saathii.org
Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saathii.india/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saathii_official/
4. Sarathi Trust
Description
Aid provided
Who can apply
How to apply
Contact
Social Media
Description
Sarathi Trust is a community-based organisation based in Nagpur dedicated to providing support and advocating for the rights of the MSM (Men who have sex with men) and TG (Transgender) communities.
Founded with the aim of promoting inclusivity, equality, and acceptance, Sarathi Trust has been actively working towards creating a safe and empowering environment for these individuals in the region.
Aid provided
They conduct awareness counselling, promoting condom usage, facilitating referrals, follow up and linkages to PLHA (People living with HIV/AIDS) organisations and enable access to medical care centres.
Who can apply
MSM/TG community members who are at high risk of contracting HIV or those who are already living with the infection and need better healthcare resources in Nagpur and surrounding areas.
How to apply
One can directly approach Sarathi Trust or their associates/hospital partners in Nagpur via email/social media or call them on the numbers provided. Aid will be provided based on the individual need and circumstances.
Contact
Address:
136, Kamptee Road (Near Ganga Builders)
Tent Line, Mohan Nagar
Nagpur, Maharashtra 440001
Website: http://www.sarathitrust.org/
Contact: +917122560376
Email: info@sarathitrust.org
Social Media
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarathitrust
5. Sahodaran
Description
Aid provided
Who can apply
How to apply
Contact
Social Media
Description
Sahodaran Community Oriented Health Development (SCOHD) Society is a non-governmental organisation founded in 1998 in Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, India. SCOHD aims to address the issues confronting members of the LGTBQ community in south India.
It has expanded its scope, now working, with MSM (men who have sex with men) in order to boost sexual health for these marginalised communities and attain human rights across the board. The mission of SCHOD Society is to be a safe space for people of the LGBTQ and MSM community, where individuals can feel comfortable and accepted.
Aid provided
SCOHD’s primary activities are to promote positive health and sexual practices, as well as sex education for these vulnerable groups.
They educate the community members by having group discussions and classes focusing on improved sexual health behaviour and communication skills.
Since the LGBTQ communities are highly discriminated against in India, SCOHD offers psycho-sexual counselling, HIV/AIDS testing, condom distribution, legal aid counselling, skill-building activities to protect against domestic, physical, and homophobic violence, and human rights campaigns.
Who can apply
Individuals of the LGBTQ and MSM community in South India
How to apply
One can directly approach Sahodaran via email/social media or call them on the numbers provided. Aid will be provided based on the individual need and circumstances.
Contact
Address:
First Floor, 73
Ellaiamman Koil St
Subbarayapillai Chathiram,
Pondicherry 605001
Website: http://scohdsociety.in/
Contact: +914132345200
Email: scohdsociety@gmail.com
Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sahodaranchennai98/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sahodaran_/
6. Rainbow Health
Description
Aid provided
Who can apply
How to apply
Contact
Social Media
Description
Based in Delhi, Rainbowhealth.in is an online system that aims to provide HIV/AIDS related education in a convenient way. The site is managed by the community members and the staff of the Targeted Intervention Project managed by Aident Social Welfare organisation (TG/Hizra) in Delhi.
Aid provided
They offer convenient options to seek appointments for various HIV prevention and treatment services at the nearby health facilities free of cost while handling your data with utmost care and ensure anonymity & privacy.
The data on this site is highly confidential and private. Your phone number will enable the organisation to be in touch and provide services as desired by you.
Who can apply
Individuals of the LGBTIQA+ community who are tech-savvy and are consumers of the internet.
How to apply
If you would like to talk to the health worker/counsellor, you can call them or chat using the call now/ chat now/ online counselling options on the webpage for detailed information and service uptake.
Contact
Address:
59, Bhalswa Village
Near Laxmi Narayan Mandir
Jahangir Puri, Delhi 110033
Website:https://rainbowhealth.in/
Contact: +9193549 87215
Email: aident.tg@gmail.com
Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rainbowhealth.in/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/rainbowhealth.in
1. The Humsafar Trust
Description
Aid provided
Who can apply
How to apply
Contact
Social Media
Description
Based in Mumbai, The Humsafar Trust is one of the oldest LGBTQ+ organisations in India. They provide various healthcare services like making the community aware about the risks of COVID-19 along with HIV, STIs, OIs, other comorbid conditions and mental health problems. They also provide healthcare-related training modules for parents and loved ones of queer persons.
Aid provided
- They conduct awareness workshops on HIV/AIDS. These interventions of HST are supported by National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) and Mumbai District AIDS Control Society (MDACS) to provide health services to 8,500 men who have sex with men, and transgender communities every year, through public health care delivery systems and its In-house clinics.
- HST collaborates with public health delivery systems of Mumbai like LTMG, Nair, KEM and JJ Hospitals. In-house clinics remain open five days a week with three qualified doctors and two lab technicians attending to clients. A clinical psychologist works full time along with a team of four community counsellors and two health facilitators and a nutritionist working on the program providing nutritional counselling assistance
- HST also organises advocacy workshops for health care providers, law enforcement agencies, judiciary, legislators, politicians and political parties, government bodies, media, student community to sensitise them on Gay, MSM and TG issues.
- HST has nurtured support groups – YAARIYAN for young LGBTQ, UMANG for LBT persons and SANJEEVANI for persons living with HIV. HST also provides legal support, crisis management, mental health and nutrition counselling to its communities.
Who can apply
All members of the LGBTQ+ community, especially those who openly identify as queer and face specific health challenges as a result.
How to apply
One can directly approach HST or their associates via email/social media or call them on the number provided. Aid will be provided based on the individual need and circumstances.
Contact
Address:
The Humsafar Trust 3rd Floor
Manthan Plaza, Nehru Road
Vakola, Santacruz (East)
Mumbai, Maharashtra 400055
Website: https://humsafar.org/
Contact: +912226673800
Email: info@humsafar.org
Social Media
2. Naz Foundation (India) Trust
Description
Aid provided
Who can apply
How to apply
Contact
Social Media
Description
Based in New Delhi, Naz Foundation works towards promoting sexual health and rights, particularly focusing on HIV/AIDS prevention and care within the LGBTQ+ community. They provide counselling, testing, and treatment services, along with advocacy and support programs.
Aid provided
- Naz is committed to provide counselling, care and support services to the LGBTQIA+ community.
- It supports individuals to access their rights such as medical services, face-to-face and telephonic counselling and referral services.
- Individuals can access the helpline to seek support on understanding their sexuality, coming out with their identity, relationship issues, safe sex practices, testing for HIV and addressing issues of discrimination.
- Naz also offers counselling support and home-based care to the families of the community members.
Who can apply
All members of the LGBTQ+ community (and their families).
How to apply
One can directly approach Naz or their associates via email/social media or call them on the number provided. Aid will be provided based on the individual need and circumstances.
Contact
Address:
A 86, East of Kailash
New Delhi 110065
Website: https://www.nazindia.org/
Contact: +911141325042, +911140793157, 911140793158
Email: info@nazindia.org
Social Media
3. SAATHII (Solidarity and Action Against The HIV Infection in India)
Description
Aid provided
Who can apply
How to apply
Contact
Social Media
Description
SAATHII is an organization that works on HIV/AIDS prevention and care, with a specific focus on marginalized communities, including the LGBTQ+ population. They provide healthcare services, advocacy, and capacity-building programs.
SAATHII’s LGBTIQA+ work is focused on amplifying community voices and efforts towards a shared vision of universal access to health, justice, social and economic protection. Apart from contributing to national LGBTIQA+ advocacy efforts, their work focuses on supporting community-driven initiatives in the states of Gujarat, Kerala, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Tamil Nadu.
Aid provided
In response to meeting India’s needs towards achieving Universal Access to healthcare, especially for the LGBTIQA+ population, SAATHII supports government, civil society, and the for-profit sector through the following approaches:
- Technical, Operational and Financial Assistance to strengthen and expand HIV/AIDS services
- Advocacy for increased attention and political commitment on HIV/AIDS
- Research to generate evidence for an informed program response
- Knowledge transfer and sharing of HIV-related science, policy and advocacy updates
- Networking to bring people from multiple sectors together and foster collaborations
Who can apply
LGBTQIA+ community members who are at high risk of contracting HIV or those who are already living with the infection and need better healthcare resources.
How to apply
One can directly approach SAATHII or their associates/hospital partners at their head office in Chennai via email/social media or call them on the numbers provided. Aid will be provided based on the individual need and circumstances.
Contact
Address
New 30 (Old S-23)
35th Cross Street
Besant Nagar, Chennai
Tamil Nadu 600090
Website: https://saathii.in/
Contact: +914424403947, +914424403663 (Headoffice – Chennai)
Email: lgbtiqa@saathii.org
Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saathii.india/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saathii_official/
4. Sarathi Trust
Description
Aid provided
Who can apply
How to apply
Contact
Social Media
Description
Sarathi Trust is a community-based organisation based in Nagpur dedicated to providing support and advocating for the rights of the MSM (Men who have sex with men) and TG (Transgender) communities.
Founded with the aim of promoting inclusivity, equality, and acceptance, Sarathi Trust has been actively working towards creating a safe and empowering environment for these individuals in the region.
Aid provided
They conduct awareness counselling, promoting condom usage, facilitating referrals, follow up and linkages to PLHA (People living with HIV/AIDS) organisations and enable access to medical care centres.
Who can apply
MSM/TG community members who are at high risk of contracting HIV or those who are already living with the infection and need better healthcare resources in Nagpur and surrounding areas.
How to apply
One can directly approach Sarathi Trust or their associates/hospital partners in Nagpur via email/social media or call them on the numbers provided. Aid will be provided based on the individual need and circumstances.
Contact
Address:
136, Kamptee Road (Near Ganga Builders)
Tent Line, Mohan Nagar
Nagpur, Maharashtra 440001
Website: http://www.sarathitrust.org/
Contact: +917122560376
Email: info@sarathitrust.org
Social Media
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarathitrust
5. Sahodaran
Description
Aid provided
Who can apply
How to apply
Contact
Social Media
Description
Sahodaran Community Oriented Health Development (SCOHD) Society is a non-governmental organisation founded in 1998 in Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, India. SCOHD aims to address the issues confronting members of the LGTBQ community in south India.
It has expanded its scope, now working, with MSM (men who have sex with men) in order to boost sexual health for these marginalised communities and attain human rights across the board. The mission of SCHOD Society is to be a safe space for people of the LGBTQ and MSM community, where individuals can feel comfortable and accepted.
Aid provided
SCOHD’s primary activities are to promote positive health and sexual practices, as well as sex education for these vulnerable groups.
They educate the community members by having group discussions and classes focusing on improved sexual health behaviour and communication skills.
Since the LGBTQ communities are highly discriminated against in India, SCOHD offers psycho-sexual counselling, HIV/AIDS testing, condom distribution, legal aid counselling, skill-building activities to protect against domestic, physical, and homophobic violence, and human rights campaigns.
Who can apply
Individuals of the LGBTQ and MSM community in South India
How to apply
One can directly approach Sahodaran via email/social media or call them on the numbers provided. Aid will be provided based on the individual need and circumstances.
Contact
Address:
First Floor, 73
Ellaiamman Koil St
Subbarayapillai Chathiram,
Pondicherry 605001
Website: http://scohdsociety.in/
Contact: +914132345200
Email: scohdsociety@gmail.com
Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sahodaranchennai98/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sahodaran_/
6. Rainbow Health
Description
Aid provided
Who can apply
How to apply
Contact
Social Media
Description
Based in Delhi, Rainbowhealth.in is an online system that aims to provide HIV/AIDS related education in a convenient way. The site is managed by the community members and the staff of the Targeted Intervention Project managed by Aident Social Welfare organisation (TG/Hizra) in Delhi.
Aid provided
They offer convenient options to seek appointments for various HIV prevention and treatment services at the nearby health facilities free of cost while handling your data with utmost care and ensure anonymity & privacy.
The data on this site is highly confidential and private. Your phone number will enable the organisation to be in touch and provide services as desired by you.
Who can apply
Individuals of the LGBTIQA+ community who are tech-savvy and are consumers of the internet.
How to apply
If you would like to talk to the health worker/counsellor, you can call them or chat using the call now/ chat now/ online counselling options on the webpage for detailed information and service uptake.
Contact
Address:
59, Bhalswa Village
Near Laxmi Narayan Mandir
Jahangir Puri, Delhi 110033
Website:https://rainbowhealth.in/
Contact: +9193549 87215
Email: aident.tg@gmail.com
Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rainbowhealth.in/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/rainbowhealth.in
In times of need, support means everything, and with Milaap, you need not look any further. Milaap enables you to set up a fundraiser for any medical emergency within minutes, and you can easily raise funds for treatment expenses.
Do you know someone who could benefit from fundraising? Simply refer them to us and we’ll be happy to lend a hand.
Visit www.milaap.org or call us on +91 9916174848 to get started now.
For more information, write to us at cx@milaap.org.
In times of need, support means everything, and with Milaap, you need not look any further. Milaap enables you to set up a fundraiser for any medical emergency within minutes, and you can easily raise funds for treatment expenses.
Do you know someone who could benefit from fundraising? Simply refer them to us and we’ll be happy to lend a hand.
Visit http://www.milaap.org or call us on +91 9916174848 to get started now.
For more information, write to us at cx@milaap.org.
Written by:
Aathira Ayyappan
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