Chandigarh —– Garvotsav, Chandigarh’s annual celebration and recognition of the LGBTQIA+ community, hosted its annual “Queer Mela,” a festival organised for and by the queer people. It strives to encourage queer creators, LGBTQIA+ owned businesses, and their allies. Their inclusive approach shifts the attention away from the symbolic rainbow flag and towards more significant and underrepresented parts of LGBTQIA+ issues.
Japsreet Kaur, Founder of Khanak Welfare Foundation, an NPO that collaborated with Saksham Trust for organising the event, stated that the festival celebrates and recognizes the LGBTQIA + community, as well as their achievements and accomplishments in society. The NPO is working as a platform to raise LGBTQ+ rights awareness, promote inclusivity, advocate for equal treatment and acceptance, and prohibit discriminatory laws and practices that are still in place.
The organisation, along with a panel of pro bono lawyers, spoke with community members about the discrimination they suffer and the rights and liberties provided by the law. The need for Courts and legislatures to uphold the Constitution when injustices against the communities are identified, and to collaborate with lawmakers and policymakers to address the community’s challenges. In addition to litigation, the panel uses its legal standing to promote public policy and education programs.
“Ms. Medha Kaushal, who is working actively with the foundation, shared that they believe that everyone has a right to live a life of dignity and respect and lack of awareness and understanding can lead to the continuation of stereotypes, biases, and discrimination against LGBTQIA+ individuals. The issue is more serious in rural areas as generally the people living there follow traditional gender roles and conventions, making it difficult for LGBTQIA+ people to publicly express themselves. Access to information and resources about LGBTQIA+ identities and rights is limited in rural areas. These societal expectations cause stigma, social isolation, and conformity pressure,” said Raja Harkirat Singh, Volunteer at Khanak Welfare Foundation.
Mr. Daksh Sharma, Advocate at Punjab and Haryana High Court discussed the importance of “Educate.Equip.Empower” and a sharp focus on community-building efforts.
