New Delhi: Conqueer is a part of the Press4change project by Love Matters India, aiming at an increased and holistic representation of the LGBTQ community in media. The event, Conqueer, organised by Love Matters, in partnership with Keshav Suri Foundation, shall facilitate discussion on January 19 with thought leaders and influencers from different domains to create awareness and highlight issues faced by the LGBTQ+ Community in a post 377 India and initiate dialogue about strategic solutions to the problems.
Thought provoking leaders, mentors and allies will join the event to converse on the issues within the framework of 5 themes — Law & Policy, Health, Employment, Entertainment, and Education. The event will discuss the latest development on Transgender Bill and the surrogacy bill, and further discuss the roadblocks for the LGBTQ+ community in India.
Dhananjay Chauhan — a Transgender woman persuing PhD from Punjab University– told Ten News, “we are also human being, our society has to accept us as what we are.”
Sharing the trauma she has suffered in her life said,”when me with four other students were admitted to university, no accomodation was available to us, whether it is hostel or room on rent but later the university constructed separate washroom for us and an anti-discrimination cell.”
Vithika Yadav, country head of Love Matters India said, “We are excited that such diverse leaders would be joining the event and there will be a dialogue to highlight the issues as the problem statements for which we all need to find a solution together. I sincerely hope that Conqueer will start dialogues and motivate more to work for the equality of the LGBTQ community in India.”
“We are glad that Section 377 has been read down, but we have merely scratched the surface. Conversations such as these are imperative and we are proud to have partnered with Love Matters for Conqueer, which will set the tone and initiate dialogues and build impactful discussions for the LGBTQ+ community”, said Keshav Suri, Founder of the Keshav Suri Foundation.
‘Conqueer’ and the Press4change project are based on a research conducted by Love Matters India that highlighted the unsettlingly low representation of the SRHR issues and LGBTQissues in the mainstream media. The report paved way for various advocacy activities that Love Matters India is currently undertaking and further planning in this year.
