[Reader-list] INFOSEM press release

[Nitin Karani]

PRESS RELEASE

Friday, October 17, 2003



Launch of India Network For Sexual Minorities (INFOSEM)



We are pleased to announce the launch of the India Network For Sexual
Minorities (INFOSEM). This is a first-of-its-kind alliance formed by
community-based organizations (CBOs) of lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgendered (LGBT) people; and individuals, groups and academic entities,
either interested in working with LGBT groups or interested in community
formation within population-segments whose identities are based on sexual
orientation or gender self-allocation over a rainbow of alternative
sexualities.



Some of INFOSEM's initial members are:

Aanchal Trust, Mumbai (lesbian group)

Bombay Dost, Mumbai (lesbian and gay support group)

Dai Welfare Society, Mumbai (hijra CBO)

Humsaaya, Mumbai (kothi group)

Humsafar-Goa, Vasco Port, Goa (gay and kothi NGO)

Humsafar Trust, Mumbai (gay CBO)

Lakshya Trust, Baroda & Surat (gay and kothi NGO)

Naz Foundation India, Delhi, (HIV/AIDS/sexual health NGO)

Sakhi Char-Chowghi, Mumbai (kothi NGO)

Samapathik Trust, Pune (gay CBO)

Sangath Trust, Rajkot (kothi NGO)

Sangini, Delhi (lesbian group)

Social Welfare Association for Men, Chennai (gay and kothi CBO)

Swabhava Trust, Bangalore (gay NGO)

Swikriti, Kolkata (gay group)



Associate Members:

1)      Solidarity and Action Against The HIV Infection in India (SAATHII),
Kolkata

2)      Asha Mahila Sanstha, Mumbai (sex workers' CBO)

3)      South India Aids Action Progamme (Chennai)



FRIENDS IN SUPPORT :
1)      Joe Maccormack (Maccormack Search Consultants, Los Angeles, USA)

2)      Ravi Lulla (counsellor, Victoria Aids Council, Melbourne, Australia)

3)      Sushma Mehrotra (counsellor/trainer, National Aids Control
Organization, India)

4)      Shyamla Natarajan (South India Aids Action Programme, Chennai)

5)      Chetan Datar (playwright/director, Mumbai)

6)      Riyad Wadia (filmmaker, Mumbai)



The list of members will expand as our work and commitment broadens out into
various sectors.



The immediate tasks before INFOSEM:

q       Work to abolish parts of Section 377 of the IPC that deal with
consensual sex between adults, independent of their sexual orientation.

q       Work on very clear formulations of all forms of sexual assault and
child sex abuse to be addressed by the law.

q       Make representations to the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC)
seeking inclusion of sexual orientation as a group for non-discrimination in
Part III of the Constitution of India.

q       Work for recognition of the transgendered as a third sex in the
Constitution of India.

q       Advocate for health awareness and care on a priority basis to fight
HIV/AIDS and other STIs among LGBT people.

q       Help grassroots and emerging groups by providing input and training
in conducting research and health, social, and legal needs assessment; help
in building their skills and resources; provide access to funding for their
respective health and associated programmes; and share research and baseline
data.

q       Set up consultations for lesbian sexual health and recognize their
sexual health needs.

q       To encourage, advocate and work for capacity building of sexual
minorities in India.



The approach:

The members will network through e-mail and through personal interaction and
periodic consultation to encourage and help consolidation of the community
in India.

The network will initially be managed by the convener, Ashok Row Kavi. The
process of extensive networking over the coming weeks will lead to the
formalization of a board of members who will run INFOSEM.



Formation background:

In May 2000, the Humsafar Trust (HST) initiated a consultation with Indian
LGBT groups held in Mumbai titled 'Looking Into the Next Millennium'
funded/backed by UNAIDS; SIDA (Swedish International Development Agency);
the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO); the Mumbai District AIDS
Control Society (MDACS); the Department of International Development (DFID)
of Great Britain; the India Fund at the Tides Foundation, NYC; Mr. Richard
Winger, officer-bearer of the New York Gay and Lesbian Community Center; and
many private individuals.

The three-day consultation initiated by HST ended on May 6, 2000 with a set
of resolutions passed unanimously through a voice vote, including one to
form an India Network For Sexual Minorities.

With such a resolution passed unanimously at the Millennium conference, the
Humsafar Trust (HST) has decided to work positively to unite groups that
have shown a verifiable commitment to community work. The India Network for
Sexual Minorities (INFOSEM) is the resulting seed planted by people who have
a track record of community work and over time we envisage it becoming a
network of productive cooperation.



For more information, please contact:

Ashok Row Kavi, Convenor, INFOSEM, C/o. The Humsafar Trust, Mumbai. Tel:
(022) 26187476, 26650547.