Report Launch – Chasing Numbers, Betraying People: Relooking at HIV Services in Karnataka

Aneka and Karnataka Sexual Minorities Forum

Invite you for the launch of their report “Chasing Numbers, Betraying People: Relooking at HIV Services in Karnataka”.  

By

Dr. R Balasubramaniam (Founder of Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) and ex special investigator and vigilance director for the Karnataka Lok Ayukta) and

Dr. Kamala Hampana (Scholar, Author of over 50 books and served as Chairperson -All India Kannada Literary Meet 2003)

The report is also endorsed by People’s Health Movement‘s Bangalore Urban Chapter (JAABU – Janarogya Andolana – Bangalore urban).

On Saturday, 17th December 2011, At  United Theological College, Millers Road, Near Cantt Railway Station’s Back Gate, Bangalore. Between 4:00 – 6:30 PM

While issues related to spread and prevention of HIV has received considerable attention – the quality of services,  compromises of people’s right – to health, to participate and shape policies as well as issues around privacy, and ethics do not are sidestepped or ignored.

This report focuses on the experiences of male-born sexual minorities in Karnataka vis-à-vis HIV related services– and is an outcome of a collaborative process where community members have been co-producers of knowledge.

Sexual minority communities have long faced challenges in accessing public services; including healthcare. Given that HIV places a significant burden on male-born sexual minorities; there are a range of HIV-related services and interventions that especially addresses them. The report sketches the barriers encountered by them in receiving or seeking care in terms of access and availability of services. Attention is also drawn to the lapses and violations that occur in the name of providing heath services The report ends with a set of recommendations that have emerged from the sexual minority communities for policy makers, health-workers and activists

For more information contact  Rajesh (9886155148)  or Shubha (9243446105)

Vacancy for PROGRAM DIRECTOR in Sangama, Bangalore

Employing organization: Sangama, Bangalore

Location: Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Date of Issue: October 12, 2010

Closing Date: October 20, 2010

About Sangama: Sangama, a human rights organization founded in 1999 works mainly with sexual minorities, sex workers and people living with HIV in India through human rights activism, community led campaigns, providing support to community based organizations, producing documentary films, reports, etc. Helping community organizations in providing health services and advocating for health rights is an important part of our work.

Sangama’s work is organized into 2 separate programs. Sangama-Vikasa focuses on service provision and developmental activities whereas Sangama-Sangharsha focuses on activism.

Sangama is looking for a suitable individual for the position of Program Director, Sangama-Vikasa

1. Program Director – Sangama Vikasa

Sangama looks for a Program Director to take us forward into the next stage of development.

We are looking for someone who:

– Has at least 5 to 7 years of relevant program management/direction experience in the health or development sectors, including at least 3 years’ at the senior management level experience.

– Understands the principles of social justice and has a clear analysis of class and caste, gender and sexuality, age, religion and disability, and other factors which stigmatise and exclude certain sections of people.
– Is able to lead an organisation concerned with social change and human rights – turning a clear vision and direction into a practical strategy and work programme.
– Is able to write clear and concise English – including reports, proposals, concept notes etc.
– Is able to communicate verbally in English with funders and other international organisations, and in Kannada with local groups and individuals.
– Is able to draft a business plan and translate this into team work plans, and oversee them through to completion.
– Is able to manage complex projects, as well the capacity to seek out and initiate new ones.
– Has a high degree of initiative, and the ability to think strategically and creatively.
– Is efficient and pays attention to the detail of organisational and people management – does what they say they’ll do.
– Is able to build and maintain a wide range of links and networks
– Is experienced at using a collaborative and consultative style of management and enables others to do likewise.
– Understands (i) the principles of creating and leading diverse teams, (ii) a work culture which actively benefits from its diversity
– Respects the history, values and profile of Sangama while taking it forward into a new focus and areas of work.

Previous experience or knowledge of issues of sexuality – while an advantage – is not a pre-requisite.

Salary will be based on experience and skills.

Sangama believes in affirmative action and encourages people from marginalized backgrounds to apply for this post, including: sexual minorities and their family members, sex workers and their family members, people living with HIV and their family members, women, dalits, adivasis, religious minorities and persons with disability.

 

Interested candidates may apply by sending their complete CV (with contact details of self and 2 people who know their work as references) to sangamavikasa@gmail.com by 20^th October, 2010.

 

In Solidarity

 

Arockya Selva

Administrator

Sangama

NEED YOUR SUPPORT- Praja Rajakiya Vedike’s appeal to all who believe in democracy and good governance

Be The Change

Support New Politics

Support Praja Rajakiya Vedike Candidates

BBMP Elections – A Challenge

An opportunity to be part of Clean, Efficient and Transparent Governance

Dear Friends,

Praja Rajakiya Vedike (PRV) is a political platform of highly dedicated social activists with decades of work for social change. We are people with a long history in political and people’s movements. We have been working in diverse sectors – urban/rural poor; rights of children, women, dalits, workers, religious minorities, adivasis, sexual minorities; human rights; development; ecology and environment; good governance and democratization. We have realized that real change is possible only through political power i.e. when people are central to decision making processes at city, state and country levels. Hence PRV is launched to challenge and change the corrupt political culture in Karnataka. We have resolved to participate in BBMP elections and have fielded two candidates, Ms. Veena from Okalipuram (Ward No. 96) and Mr. Derick Anil from Hebbal (Ward No. 21).

The coming BBMP (http://bbmp.gov.in) elections are taking place only due to the directives of the Courts. Political parties in power have done everything possible to maintain their illegitimate control over the BBMP while delaying and tampering with the election process. We believe that all existing political parties and their leaders lack values and principles, and we are determined to speak out against the status quo. The mainstream political parties indulge in worst forms of electoral malpractices to get votes – use money, use muscle power, coercion, threats and the list goes on. For them election is business where you invest some money to win elections and once elected they pocket huge sums of people’s money through every conceivable corrupt practices. They make money, many times over their ‘investment’. They make money, and people get bad roads, no street lights, no water, crumbling school buildings, poorly-run hospitals and no development at all.

Present model of development is completely against people. Crores of rupees are spent for beautification of pavements and roads while ignoring basic issues of people – housing, roads, water, electricity, education, employment, health, childcare, old age support, sanitation etc. We are committed to make sure that the people’s money is spent under people’s control, so that real needs of people are addressed. PRV will struggle to end this corrupt money-muscle-power politics. We will raise money from public to fight elections. We will not make our candidates spend money from their pockets. We are opposed to corruption of all kinds. A participatory democracy is need of the hour. Participation of every citizen not just casting your vote but also ridding the elections of even a possibility of any corrupt practice. We request you to contribute towards this either by your time and or financial support. We don’t buy votes. We need to reach each and every voter the above message, through literature, audio or audio visual medium.

People may ask, “How can poor politicians help us?” But our personal resources are not relevant. There are more than enough funds available for the BBMP through taxes. This money belongs to the people, and should be spent to ensure that basic, high-quality services are available to every resident of our city. It is high time that all those entrusted with the administration are made accountable and put a stop to all such corrupt practices that render the finances dry, without any of it reaching the needs and development of the city and it infrastructure.

Our Promise to You

We will struggle through all peaceful and lawful means to help you get basic amenities even in case our candidates do not get elected. We will work to strengthen ward committees (with its members directly elected, not nominated), and will make sure that they have the final say on what money is being spent in the ward, and how, and why. We will fight for a new culture of transparency, demanding that politicians justify publicly how money is being spent, at monthly meetings open to all.

According to media, main political parties are planning to spend at least Rs. 1 to 1.5 Crore per ward to get their candidate elected – even though the limit is Rs. 5 lakhs! We commit, not only to spending within the limit set by law, but spending every paisa with transparency and accountability. Our money will be spent on reaching out to each and every voter, one by one, to tell them about our candidates. For this, we will spend only the following, for each candidate:

• Food, water and transportation for election workers (all volunteers)
• Banners, pamphlets, hire four-wheelers, auto-rickshaws
• Deposits for filing nominations, obtaining voters list, photocopying and other miscellaneous expenses

This means we commit to spending no more than legal limit. Each paisa will be spent through official channels, and all expenses will be publicly declared. The affidavit regarding any property owned by our candidates and their dependents will also be made fully public, in all its detail now, once every year after they are elected as corporators.

Our Candidates

Veena S. is a hijra, a transsexual woman, who has struggled for many years for the rights of women, Dalits, sexual minorities and workers. She is seeking to represent the people of Okalipuram Ward-96, where she has lived all of her life. “I am asking you not to sell your vote to those who are trying to buy you with money and liquor,” she says. “I promise you a clean politics, and whether I win or lose, I will work with integrity.” Having grown up in a slum herself, Veena understands the critical issues for those who live there with her, including the improvement of basic facilities, the development of women and children, and equality for all sections of people in society. Veena has enormous experience and knows how to address people’s problems.

Derick Anil, a long-time social activist working on environmental justice, beedi workers, landless laborers and many other issues, is contesting Hebbala Ward-21. “I believe in transparent governance, people’s right to information, electoral reforms,” he says. “I have realized the need for an alternative politics to make these things happen.” Whether or not he is elected, he is committed to working for the overall development of Bangalore City, with people’s participation, and making sure that every citizen has an equal share in the fruits of development. With respect to Hebbala Ward especially, he is determined to work for the fair distribution of water, waste management, and the basic needs of the poor.

Our candidates will represent people’s voices and concerns in the BBMP Council. Our candidates will not loot people’s money. Our candidates are committed to true democracy – governance of the people, by the people and for the people.

Your role

You have a critical role to play in the coming elections. You must elect those representatives who will work full-time – not just in their spare time – to respond to your concerns about local problems in your area. It is your responsibility to reject the parties who will try to buy your vote with money or liquor. You must believe that change is possible, and that honest, clean and committed representatives can make a difference. Please use your opportunity carefully.

We also ask for your support: Raise your voices in support of us. Campaign for us. Raise money. Even just one rupee. We will account for every paisa we receive.

Please send/deposit your donations for PRV in SB Account 0425101049093 at Canara Bank, Hebbal, Bellary Road, Bangalore – 560024 (A joint account operated by any 2 of our 3 active PRV members – Elavarthi Manohar, Derick Anil and Veena)

Please send/deposit your donations for Veena S. in SB Account 1174101020634 at Canara Bank, Magadi Road, Bangalore – 560023

Please send/deposit your donations for Derick Anil A. in SB Account 1202500100206401 at Karnataka Bank Ltd., RT Nagara, Bangalore-560032

Please send details of your donation (name, address, amount, deposit details) by email/post. Please send your cheques/DDs to us by post. Our contact details are mentioned below.

We look forward to your participation, support and solidarity

Elavarthi Manohar, Venkatesh B T, Yashodha P

Coordinators – Praja Rajakiya Vedike

Praja Rajakiya Vedike

43, 3^rd Cross, Link Road, Malleswaram, Bangalore – 560003

Mobile: 9480974109 (E Manohar), 9845587502 (P Yashodha), 9448055465 (B T Venkatesh)

Email: prajarajakiya@gmail.com Web: http://openrun.net/prv/

City activists take plunge into politics with BBMP polls

http://bangalore.citizenmatters.in/articles/view/1851-praja-rajakiya-vedike-bbmp-elections-candidates

This council election will see Veena, a transsexual, and Anil, a former teacher, contesting from Okalipuram (Ward 196) and Hebbal (Ward 21) respectively. Both represent citizen group Praja Rajakiya Vedike.

By Vaishnavi Vittal

15 Mar 2010, Citizen Matters

In what is their first step towards mainstream politics in Bangalore, a group of city-based activists have come together for the BBMP council elections by floating two independent candidates. These activists have formed a group called the Praja Rajakiya Vedike, which will support the candidates in these elections.

Says Elavarthi Manohar, one of the members of this group, “We have all fought with regard to human rights, women’s rights, sexuality minority rights. We wanted to bring about a change. So we all got together”. Manohar is also the founder of Sangama, a sexuality minorities human rights organisation for individuals oppressed due to their sexual preference.

Over the last two years, these activists held meetings and consultations to understand the work and agendas of various political parties in the state. “Big parties are not transparent. Small parties work only during elections”, says Manohar. This was when they decided to form their own political party to create a conducive environment wherein every stakeholder would be equally respected irrespective of their caste, colour or creed. That’s how Praja Rajakiya Vedike came to be formed with about 20 to 30 core members and about 200 supporters. It is however not yet a political party.

For the upcoming elections, two candidates – Veena S, the first transsexual in south India to contest in an election and A Derick Anil, a former teacher and activist – will contest from Okalipuram (Ward 196) and Hebbal (Ward 21) respectively. The duo filed their nomination papers today.

South India’s first hijra contesting from Bangalore’s Okalipuram

Thirty-four year old Veena who works for Dalit rights, sexual minorities, sex workers, domestic workers and garment factory workers, says she decided to contest in the polls as she had always wanted to get into politics.

Veena, a transsexual, will contest from Ward 196. If elected, she says she will ensure that the voice of the people will be heard. Pic: Vaishnavi Vittal

Incidentally, Veena is also the first transsexual in South India who will be contesting in an election.

Hailing from a poor Dalit family, Veena was born and brought up in Okalipuram. She has studied upto 10th standard. From a young age, when she was a boy, she always knew she was different. “I didn’t like being a male”, she says. Tortured and teased by both friends and family, she eventualy got herself castrated and underwent a sex change operation. Initially her parents and four siblings treated her as an outcaste. Today, however, she is the sole bread-winner of the family.

“I’m proud to be a woman today”, she says proudly. Veena doesn’t speak English fluently but understands the language. She speaks Kannada, Tamil and Telugu.

Veena has previously worked with Sangama in the area of HIV-AIDS. She has also worked as Treasurer at Samara, a community organisation of sexual minorities and sexworkers. She recently resigned from this job as she now works full time for Praja Rajakiya Vedike. She is also the Vice President of the Karnataka Sex Workers Union, member of Dalit Mahila Horata Koota and is the President of an Anekal-based group called Sanchaya Nele that works with Dalit women.

For the BBMP elections, Veena says there are several problems in her ward that she is looking to start working on. She says the Corporation school in the area is being closed because of the Metro Rail construction. “Where will the children go to study? I want to fight this,” she says, adding that she also wants to build toilets, a playground, library and proper anganwadis.

Her anger and frustration towards the ruling government is clear when she says, “They want to make green city, silicon city and spend crores on painting the walls. Couldn’t they give this money to the poor?”

Having lived in a low income neighbourhood (commonly known as a slum) herself, Veena says she wants to empower the people of the ward so that their voices are heard.

Even as this is her first election, Veena is confident of winning this time. “Everyone has been supporting me – lawyers, media and others. This has given me the courage to fight. I won’t stop”.

Though Veena belongs to the sexuality minority community and is the first transsexual to contest in an election in Bangalore, her contesting in the election has more to do with her work as an activist than her sexuality. “I don’t think me being a hijra is going to affect votes or the elections”. But she also hopes that more people like her come out and contest in elections next time round. “Things are not like before. Today, when you tell people something, they listen. It gets them thinking.”

Former teacher and PT instructor contesting from Hebbal ward

Taking the plunge along with Veena, is her friend and colleague A Derick Anil, who is contesting from Hebbal.

This former English teacher and physical education instructer, has been actively involved in activism from a young age. Anil has been involved with issues related to consumers, environment, women, agriculture, tribals, Nethravati river diversion and beedi workers. He has previously worked with the Nagarika Seva trust, Society for People and Action for Development, and Centre for Research on Environment, Development Innovations, Technology & Trade (CREDITTe), mostly in the area of research. Anil has a masters degree in sociology.

Anil, who is contesting from Hebbal, wants to make it a model ward. Pic: Vaishnavi Vittal

He now works independently and is working with regard to Right to Information (RTI), water and sanitation issues.

Ask him why he decided to contest in the elections now and the 37-year-old says, “In my entire activism life, I realised that the decision making body is the government. Many things are promised. Very little is done. Out of what little is done, few lobbies come and hijack that also. That made us think of alternatives”. Politics was one of them, for Anil and his activist friends.

As a child, Anil says he harboured the dream to become the Chief Minister one day! “But that was emotional. I was later averse to politics”. It was in 2007 when he started giving it a serious thought and eventually decided to dive in.

About his ward Hebbal, he says he would like concentrate on the issues of water, waste, sanitation and roads. After elections are over he plans to get information through RTI on all the developmental work that has been carried out in Hebbal in the last three years.

Anil wants to make Hebbal a model ward and envisages that a time should arrive when should not have to knock on the door of an elected representative. “Everything should be available to everyone. There should be equitable distribution”.

He feels that his experience as an activist and involvement in various issues makes him an ideal candidate to win.

“We will ask people for Re 1 and one vote”

Even as both Veena and Anil are using these elections to gain experience in electoral politics, they are working strategically to win. “Opponents are working with money, muscle and liquor. When we go on our door-to-door campaign, we will ask people for one rupee and one vote”, says Veena. They are using this strategy to also mobilise funds for their campaign. Veena and Anil together are looking to spend not more than Rs 4 lakhs on the elections. They are looking for funds from friends, relatives and supporters.

Praja Rajakiya Vedike will use banners and pamphlets to promote their candidates and go around in autos with loudspeakers.

Mainstream parties versus independent candidates

As Manohar explains, the Vedike’s main aim is to bring about a clean, efficient and transparent governance process. They are clear when they say that they are not just a social movement.

Siddharth Narrain, a lawyer with Alternative Law Forum or ALF, feels that this is an indication of the current scenario of politics. “It brings in a different perspective. Both these candidates are raising broader issues. No mainstream politician will focus on the harassment that is meted out to hijras”, he says. ALF is a Bangalore-based lawyers’ collective and has worked with regard to sexual minorities’ rights.

Narrain feels that independent candidates like Veena and Anil have better chances of winning in these local elections. “If they win, it’s a sign that people are fed up with mainstream political parties”.

But those in mainstream politics themselves do not think much of these independent candidates contesting in the elections. BJP MLA (Yeshwanthpur) Shobha Karandlaje feels that these candidates should instead support mainsteam parties like the BJP. “Will they win as independents? It’s not possible when we are working in full force”, she says.

Shobha adds that she herself has worked on issues concerning sexual minorities and will continue to do so.

Congress MLA (Mahalakshmi Layout) Narendra Babu feels that as long as you are committed to serving the public, you can contest. “It doesn’t matter who you are. You need to be service-minded”, he says, adding as an after-thought, “It’ll be better if they contest as a party candidate.”

Meanwhile, for Praja Rajakiya Vedike the BBMP election is the first step in their entry into politics. They are looking to eventually form a political party that respects diversity, equality, non-violence and individual freedom. For now, their eyes are set on winning the city council elections. ⊕

Vaishnavi Vittal

15 Mar 2010

Vaishnavi Vittal is a staff journalist with Citizen Matters.

NO ENTRY FOR POOR AND COMMON PEOPLE TO CUBBON PARK AND LALBAGH (BANGALORE) – Join the Protest on 30th November at 4 PM

NO ENTRY FOR POOR AND COMMON PEOPLE TO CUBBON PARK AND LALBAGH

(ENTRY RESTRICTED TO ID CARD HOLDING ELITES ONLY)

 

The Government of Karnataka plans to make ID cards mandatory to enter Cubbon Park and Lalbagh, and that at a cost of Rs 200/person. This is the beginning of the state’s encroachment of people’s right to freely access public spaces and a stage is being set to privatise public commons. All sorts of devious reasons are being flung at the public, including security concerns, morality and misuse of parks by “unnecessary elements”. The manner in which the policy is formulated encourages the particular exclusion of access rights of the urban poor (especially from minorities), street and working children, elderly people, transgenders , migrant workers, labourers, street vendors, drivers of autorickshaws and taxis, differently abled, families with children, etc. The idea of having to carry an ID merely to access these two parks, fundamentally distances them from their unfettered and constitutionally protected Right to Use Public Spaces. This policy also promotes discriminatory access to public spaces as it privileges ‘regular walkers’ and thus negates the very concept of parks as public commons. Simply stated this draconian policy encroaches our very fundamental Right to Live a Healthy Life based on dignified and unfettered access to public spaces. Join the Protest against this fundamental encroachment of Our Right to Access all Public Commons

 

COME JOIN THIS JUST PROTEST WITH FAMILIES, COLLEAGUES, FRIENDS, NEIGHBOURS

 

Queen’s Statue, Cubbon park, Monday, 30th November, 4.00 pm – 6.00 pm

 

Protest initiated by Environment Support Group, Slum Jagatthu, CIEDS, Vimochana, Dalit Sangharsh Samiti- Samyojaka (Bangalore Dist.), Sanmathi, Alternative Law Forum, Sangama, Stree Jagruthi Samithi, CIVIC Bangalore, Hasiru Usiru and Open Space.

 

For more details contact: Environment Support Group,1572, Outer Ring Road, Banshankari 2nd stage, Bangalore-560070 Tel:-91-80-26713559-60 Email:esg@esgindia.org, bhargavi@esgindia.org Website: http://www.esgindia.org

Vacancies in Samara (Bangalore), a sexual minority organization adrressing HIV-AIDS and human rights issues

Samara, a community organization of sexual minorities and sexworkers in Karnataka is recruiting people at senior level. It is a good opportunity for people committed to sexual minority and sexworker human rights issues. Here is Samara’s AD:

———————

Vacancies in a HIV Prevention Project  (Bangalore City)

Samara, a community organisation of sexual minorities and sexworkers, is implementing a focused HIV-AIDS prevention project among sexual minorities in Bangalore City. The main goal of the project is to build an effective, result based and sustainable model for HIV prevention with men who have sex with men and transgenders.

Project Manager (1 post)

Key Roles and Responsibilities

· Managing the implementation of all project activities

· Supporting and handholding the staff

· Monitoring the project outputs and reporting on results, including sending regular reports to the funding agency

· Responsible for staff recruitment, induction and capacity building

· Assist Project Direction Team in conducting regular review and planning meetings with staff

· Establish linkages with other organizations for various purposes

Qualifications and Skills Specification

· Minimum 3 years of experience, preferably in HIV-AIDS Prevention Projects

· Ability to manage high calibre/high performing teams

· Fluency in Kannada and English

Organizational Development Coordinator (1 post)

Key Roles and Responsibilities

· Provide day today hand holding support to the organization

· Facilitate and organise capacity building workshops

· Give inputs for proper governance of the organisation

· Support and ensure proper project implementation

· Provide strategies for effective community mobilisation and collectivisation.

· Build and maintain alliances with other organisations and individuals

· Liaison with the funding agencies for effective program implementation

Qualifications and Skills Specification

• Minimum 4-5 years of experience, with the ability to provide strategic leadership oversight to the organizational design, management and implementation
• Ability to manage high calibre/high performing teams
• Excellent relationship management skills; with the ability to network
• Fluency in Kannada and English
• Excellent computer skills

Interested candidates can send in their CV along with three references to samaraban@gmail.com before 30^th September 2009. Samara can be contacted by phone at (080) 22113795.

Samara is an equal-opportunity employer and encourages PLHA (People Living with HIV/AIDS), sexuality minorities, women, disabled people, dalits, adivasis, religious minorities, and people from other marginalized populations to apply for the above mentioned vacancies.

Regards

Yogesh

Programme Coordinator- Services

———–

On ‘Religion, Inclusiveness and Sexual Minorities’ Discussion, Bangalore, 24th AUG 09

Many people (including myself) spoke at the discussion organized by Sangama and Aneka with religious leaders on “Religion, Inclusiveness and Sexual Minorities” in NGO hall, Bangalore on 24^th August 2009 including:

Swami Agnivesh (Bandhua Mukti Morcha and Arya Samaj)

Dr. Asgar Ali Engineer (Islamic Scholar, Centre for Study of Society and Secularism)

Rev. K. C Abraham (Theologian, Church of South India)

Mr. Christopher Rajkumar (Commission on Justice, Peace, Creation – National Council of Churches in India)

Mr. Dinesh Ghodke (World Alliance for Youth Empowerment, Art of Living)

Guruji Vinay Vinekar (Institute of Universal Consciousness)

Dr. Saleem Kidwai, medieval historian, translator, writer and editor of Same-sex love in India

Ms. Mansi Meera Baindur (Ecofeminist and Philosopher, National Institute of Advanced Studies)

Ms. Revathi, writer and sexual minority activist

Ms. Abhinaya, Film Actress

I represented Sangama and Aneka as their co-director and spoke about the situation of sexual minorities in the society and how they also get rejected by different religious spaces, institutions and leaders. This program was focused on how religions could be more inclusive.

Swami Agnivesh stated that he was one of the first people who signed the petition against section 377 of the Indian penal Code. He said god could be realized in all human beings and sexual minorities too are human. He said that when he welcomed the Delhi high court judgment some other religious leaders attacked his house and he said if him supporting sexual minorities received this response what could be the situation of sexual minorities.

Film actress Abhinaya stated that she supports the cause of sexual minorities.

Rev K.C. Abraham said that society and religions should be open to all people without discrimination. He appealed to sexual minorities to take forward their struggle for justice.

Ms. Revathi from Sangama spoke about how in Hijra culture includes many aspects of Hinduism and Islam.

Swami Dinesh said that IPC section 377 was like a fossil and was extremely discriminatory. He conveyed the message of love and support from his Guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

Swami Vinay Vinekar said that religion is not a religion if it teaches hate. All religions will accept people without discrimination.

Dr. Christopher Rajkumar said that he was impressed by reading the book of an Aravani Vidya and also said that if religions preach discrimination they are not religions at all. He said that there is a need for a campaign to become human and to remain human.

Ms. Mansi Meera Baindur said even religions have been changing and patriarchy has taken over the religion too, which has led into problems.

The session was chaired by Mr. David Selva Raj from Visthar.

Here are the links for some media coverage:

DNA: Agnivesh backs sexual minorities

HINDU: Centre urged not to fight Section 377 ruling

MID-DAY: ‘Be more human’

Discussion: Religion, inclusiveness and Sexual Minorities, Bangalore, 24 Aug 09

Sangama and Aneka

invite you to a discussion on

“Religion, inclusiveness and Sexual Minorities”

on 24^th August 2009, Monday from 2 PM to 6 PM

at the NGO Hall, Cubbon Park, Opposite Vikasa Soudha, Bangalore – 560001. Phone: 080 22354784

Speakers include:

Swami Agnivesh

Guruji Vinaykar

Dr. Asgar Ali Engineer

Dr. Saleem Kidwai

Mr. Christopher Rajkumar

Fr. K. C. Abraham

Mr. David Selvaraj and

Ms. Manasi  Baindur

Issues of sexuality and gender are hotly contested in both religious communities and national cultures around the world. Further when the question relates to homosexuality and  transgenderism they invoke sharper responses, from ideas that this these are sinful, shameful, perversion and deserving of the highest punishment and wrath of god; to ambiguity and limited tolerance and even acceptance.

In the wake of the judgement on IPC section 377 by the Delhi High Court, that decriminalises homosexuality many religious bodies have condemned the judgement arguing that it was against religion, immoral and even against Indian culture. These people have been quoted repeatedly by the media and have also been invited to speak at various fora on these issues. This emphasises the notion that religious traditions are inherently conservative or even reactionary in their  commitments to powerful patriarchal and pronatalist (encouraging child bearing) sexual norms and gender categories.

However there have also been voices that spoke differently and adopted a more nuanced stand. These however have got scant attention. It is these voices that Sangama and Aneka is seeking to bring together to illustrate the diverse, complex and at times even contradictory traditions and practices that come under the broad rubric of “religion”. There are also sexual minorities who are people of faith; embracing both religion and their sexuality with joy  who are again invisible in the discourse. The basic tenets of all religions that are love and compassion; and recognizing the divine in all beings. This then makes the attitude of hate and violence inadmissible.

Religions have also been influenced by strong movements for rights and have changed their position on for example issues related to women. The texts and practices are constantly being reinterpreted by people coming from other perspectives and they have transformed religion. The time is now ripe for such an engagement between religion and issues of sexual minorities. We invite all of you to come and be part of this discussion.

The Right that Dares to Speak its Name: A Primer on the Naz Foundation Judgment

http://lawandotherthings.blogspot.com/2009/08/right-that-dares-to-speak-its-name.html

The Right that Dares to Speak its Name: A Primer on the Naz Foundation Judgment

Dear All

Given the importance of the Naz Foundation decision, and despite the fact that it is an excellently written judgment, we recognize that a 105 pages can be a challenge for many people. We were therefore prompted to bring out an analytical primer which could serve as a guide through the intricacies of the judgment.

We are happy to announce the publication of a new primer on the judgment. “The Right that Dares to speak its Name” has been put together by Arvind Narrain and Marcus Eldridge. The Primer contains a schematic guide highlighting the key aspects of the judgment with a commentary. It then examines the background and finally contains a few commentaries that came out after the judgment. The Primer is 140 pages and is priced at Rs. 50. Copies are available at ALF

For more details and to download a copy please visit this site.

Table Of Contents:

Introduction

Schematic Guide: Naz Foundation v. Union of India

* The Law
* The Parties
* The Bench
* The Rationale
* Conclusion
* Basis of Ruling
* Territorial Applicability of the judgment

Background: The Naz Judgment

Outline of Arguments on behalf of Voices against 377

Edited Transcripts of the final arguments before the Delhi High Court

Commentaries

* On Freedom’s avenue, Gautam Bhan
* Reforming Macaulay, Kajal Bharadwaj
* India: From ‘perversion’ to right to life with dignity, Kalpana Kannabiran
* Who’s afraid of Homosexuality, Ram Jethmalani
* Striving for magic in the city of words, Lawrence Liang and Siddarth Narrain
* Its about all of us , Prathap Bhanu Mehta
* Good for all minorities, Tarunabh Khaitan
* Navigating the Noteworthy and the Nebulous in Naz Foundation, Vikram Raghavan
* Keeping Religion out of the Gay debate, Siddharth Bhatia

My (Suraksha WRHCP) election to the Global Fund’s India CCM

I should have written about it a longtime ago. Here is the letter I sent to many friends about my election to the IndiaCCM

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Dear friend(s)

I am overwhelmed by the tremendous support that I have received in getting elected as the representative of Sexual Minorities in the Global Fund’s India CCM for the next 2 years. This has come from those of you who voted for me (69 out of 88 i.e. 78.4% of the polled votes), and the many friends and supporters who helped me:

– file my candidature

– fight against the scuttling of India CCM election process that arbitrarily invalidated my candidature and

– encouraged and helped me through the voting process.

I see this as an endorsement of certain ideas whose time has come. The simple idea of change in India CCM processes. Change to allow for greater transparency, accountability and participation of affected people. Change that allows issues of diverse populations to be voiced and respected. The diversity that I hope to represent is not only the many identities among sexual minorities but also diversity in terms of size, access to funding and thrust of the organisation. I clearly see my mandate to also represent other discriminated communities – sexworkers, drug users, dalits, disabled and others that otherwise seems to have very little or no space in the CCM.

I am serious about pursuing this agenda of change with the support of all of you.

The CCM is an interesting and bold experiment – to open up the funding process, to fund innovative ideas and needs that are not addressed by other funding, to be a multiple stakeholder forum and to work on the principle of consensus. But in reality there seems to be very little role for the civil society agencies in the India CCM process .

There is an urgent need to increase the role and participation of civil society in setting policy and programmatic priorities for the proposals submitted to the fund. In India CCM, opinions of the civil society and affected communities should at least carry equal weight as that of the government, if not more. I need all your support, in advocating for the primary role for the civil society and affected people in India CCM, in spite of it being an uphill task.

It is these objectives that we should together work towards realising. We need to make a joint claim to this process.

I was waiting to hear from the India CCM secretariat about the next steps (I have  received that information very recently), hence the delay in sending this.
I look forward to receiving your suggestions and comments.

In solidarity

Elavarthi Manohar