Find out more about the award recipient

I am a lawyer by training and a human rights activist working at the intersection of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender, and law. My work focuses on advancing the rights and wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ people, sex workers, and people living with HIV (PLHIV) in India, especially those at multiple intersections of marginalization. As a gender-fluid, agender person who grew up visibly queer in a rural and deeply conservative community, I learned early that survival required courage and that freedom meant creating safe spaces for others like me. Moving to a metropolitan city as a first generation learner and migrant, I found my purpose in transforming systems that once excluded me. What drives me is a deep belief that every person deserves care, dignity, and equal rights. Similar values have shaped Naz’s 30-year legacy of community empowerment. My personal journey and professional path are both guided by this vision, to make India a safer and more equitable place for my community, where living authentically is not an act of resistance but a rights based joyful reality. 

As the Program Director of India’s first LGBTQIA+ Centre, established by The Naz Foundation, I have led its development from inception to building it into a national model for integrated queer support. In just over two years, our small team of five has served more than 30,000 individuals across India, offering comprehensive services that centre care, dignity, and community empowerment. The Centre provides mental health, medical, and legal support; crisis response; shelter and livelihood aid; and education and employment assistance. We run in-person group therapies, peer counselling, and support groups for LGBTQIA+ people, sex workers, and people living with HIV. Beyond service delivery, the Centre has become a unique cultural catalyst, increasing queer visibility by claiming physical spaces and giving platforms to queer artists and voices. Through cultural gatherings, meetups, and events, we nurture community, solidarity, and networks. A key pillar of our work is policy advocacy: we collaborate with national and international partners and actively engage with the Ministry of Social Welfare, Government of India, contributing to policy suggestions that have informed multiple legal and social reforms. We also conduct national-level legal literacy training, ensuring communities are empowered to claim rights and visibility. 

What one achievement you’ve accomplished that you’re most proud of?
Why?

I am most proud of directly contributing to the advancement of LGBTQIA+ legal rights in India following the Supreme Court judgement in Supriyo vs UOI in 2023. Through extensive community consultations across the country, we developed a 300-page collaborative document highlighting gaps in legal protections and rights. I presented key suggestions in-person to the Ministry of Social Justice, some of which have already been implemented including recognition of partners for joint bank accounts and ration cards, and updated foster parent guidelines to include single individuals. We are now converting this document into national training tools to empower other organizations to advocate for legal reforms. 

What do you find most challenging about your work?
Why?

Crisis management and shelter provision are the most challenging aspects of our work. Each case often requires multi-level support from rescue to police intervention to legal aid, mental health and medical care, and education or employment assistance. As the only LGBTQIA+ Centre in India running the largest queer helpline, and providing shelter where no government support exists for non-trans queer people, we frequently receive extreme distress calls. Resource scarcity and geopolitical risks mean we cannot always provide complete support, making these lifesaving services emotionally and logistically exhausting despite their critical impact. 

What do you do to recharge your battery?

I recharge by spending time with animals rescued by our sister organization, All Creatures Great and Small. Over time, I’ve developed a deep bond with animals who have been wronged and mistreated, much like the queer community, yet offer unconditional love and acceptance without labels, something I was often denied growing up as a visibly queer person in a conservative rural community. Volunteering with them allows me to step away from the intensity of my work, feel nourished by their love, and refill my social and emotional energy to continue doing my work. 

What is your vulnerability and how do you overcome it?

At times, I experience self-doubt when making high-stakes decisions that affect thousands of vulnerable individuals or navigating complex advocacy and legal interventions with limited resources. I overcome this by turning to trusted mentors for guidance. Over the years, I have built strong relationships with peers in the field, leaders of other 

organizations, and my organization’s founder, who has dedicated over 40 years to community work. Their perspective, reassurance, and advice help me navigate challenges, make informed decisions, and continue leading with confidence and care. 

You have been nominated for the Community Hero category.
What was your reaction and please, tell us why?

I am truly humbled and pleasantly surprised by this nomination. Being nominated by ILGA Asia for APCOM’s HERO Awards is very meaningful in itself. It servs as a reminder that the work we do at Naz is seen beyond our immediate context. Given how consuming this work can be, it is reassuring to know we are not working in silos. This recognition makes me deeply grateful and motivated to continue the work I do. 

With changes that we are currently experiencing politically affecting our movement and sustainability, what is a warm/hopeful message that you would like to share with the communities in the Asia Pacific?

The Asia-Pacific has always produced leaders and thinkers who challenge norms and push for justice. I recognize that resource constraints and geopolitical challenges make sustaining this work difficult, yet our continued advocacy demonstrates resilience and courage. When the fight for rights is recognized by our own communities, it holds even greater meaning. I am constantly inspired by activists and human rights defenders across the region, and through my work, I aim to contribute to this ongoing struggle while motivating others to persist. Even in challenging times, every act of advocacy, care, and solidarity strengthens our collective voice and keeps the vision of equality alive. 

Anything else you would like to share?

While there is still a long way to go in achieving equality and justice for LGBTQIA+ people in India and the Asia-Pacific, I take inspiration from the leaders and human rights defenders who have been fighting for decades under far more difficult circumstances. Their courage motivates me to continue this work, to learn, and to contribute in ways that honor their legacy while striving for a better, more inclusive future. For me, all of this would not have been possible without the Naz Foundation. 

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