It was a moment of recognition for many among the LGBTQI community when on October 19, 2014, a popular talk show such as Satyamev Jayate aired an episode highlighting the issues sexual minorities face in India.
When Reliance Foundation through Satyamev Jayate donated Rs 50 lakh to two prominent organizations — The Humsafar Trust (Mumbai) and The Naz Foundation Trust (Delhi) — working towards equal rights and health care for the LGBTQI community in India, it was great moment of joy for them.
Vivek Anand, Director of The Humsafar Trust (HST) was very happy to accept the cheque from Nita Ambani. He said, "Satyamev Jayate has opened up an entire new avenue for our work. Young LGBTQI persons from remote villages too can now reach out to us. We can help address their issues and answer their queries," he said.
He also expressed how important visibility was for LGBTQI communities and organizations such as HST. He added "Unless we come out and speak up how can the society understand us? Any effort that increases our visibility is just wonderful." Anand looks at this as a major milestone in the LGBTQI movement in India, since the show and its follow up 'Asar' (impact) Anand said that the number of calls and requests on Facebook and HST website have been phenomenal and that the organization could reach out to hundreds of people across India.
Both organizations had submitted financial and other documents for the due diligence process that was carried out. Anjali Gopalan, director of Naz India, who also accepted the 50 lakhs on behalf of the foundation, said,"The process was done in a very professional manner; financial audits were carried out where annual tax reports were also checked."
Lancy Fernandes, Head of Research on the show, shared "Organisations like Naz Foundation and Humsafar Trust have been working courageously against the tide of human prejudice and discrimination. We believe that their work and that of other organisations working for LGBT rights redeems our society."
Reliance Foundation, Satyamev Jayate's philanthropy partner, pledged Rs 1 crore donation to support each of the causes featured in the six episodes of Season 3, which was split between the two foundations for the episode on 'Accepting Alternative Sexualities'.
Nita Ambani with the recipients
Speaking to dna, Anand explained how HST plans to allocate the funds. He said, " Half of the total sum will be used to support initiatives running in Mumbai, Pune and one in Gujarat for Lesbian, Bisexuals and Transsexuals while 25% will be used to develop community centers, events and job opportunities and welfare of the Hijra community. And the remaining 25% will be allocated to the youth wing of HST 'Yaariyaan' to take the fight against 377 forward."
The initiatives carried through the funds will be implemented within a year from the date the monies arrive.
Gopalan on the other hand said that Naz Foundation will be primarily be used to restart their MSM (men who have sex with men) helpline numbers which had to be shut down due to lack of funds in 2013. "We have two individuals handling the helplines and three for the outreach program and a doctor on call for home based care as well," she said. The Naz Foundaiton will allocate approximately 60% of the funds to the functioning of their helpline, outreach activities and medical help facilities. About Rs 20 lakh will be used to continue the work being done in the health sector for children living with HIV. The foundation works with lawyers who have been lead the petition against section 377 that criminalizes homosexuality however since this is done pro bono, the funds will used for helping other critical areas of work.
Anjali Gopalan concurs with Anand on how the Satyamev Jayate helped the LGBTQI movement, "I think it is critical that people with social influence take up the issue of equality in India and bring it to the forefront of public view. After the show with Aamir Khan, his support has made a lot of difference to the movement for equal rights in India. It is not just the financial backing that helps but also knowing that so many people and their families support us in whichever way they can."
The Humsafar Trust is a community based organization of self identified gay men, MSM, transgender, Hijras and LBT persons in Mumbai started since 1994. The Naz Foundation had spearheaded the fight for reading down of Article 377 of the Indian penal code and continues to work in the sphere of LGBTQI rights in India.
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