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"History owes an apology to the members of the LGBT community and their families for the delay in providing redressal for the "ignominy" and "ostracism" they have faced through the centuries."

- Justice Indu Malhotra

The court said the part of Section 377 infringed the fundamental right to non-discrimination under Article 15 of the Constitution and the right to live a life of dignity and privacy as guaranteed by Article 21, while also violating the right of freedom of expression of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) persons under Article 19(1)(a).

It has been two years since this beautiful judgment, and India has seen a shift within mindsets, laws, and policies. Have we as a community got complete freedom? Of course, not. Does the future seem bright? Hell yes. The battle for equal rights is a long one with small victories worth celebrating. At KSF, we have taken every small or big triumph as a step in the right direction. September for us was a month to look at the last two years and reimagine where we are headed. From being part of queer literature that the country is churning out, a strong emphasis on mental health and mindfulness, to ensuring that corporate spaces are sensitized and ready to be diverse and inclusive. Here is our September in a nutshell. 


Sex and The Supreme Court by Saurabh Kirpal OUT NOW on stands 

This remarkable collection of writings by legal luminaries is the only book to offer sharp insights into each of these crucial rulings. Justice M.B. Lokur writes on the issues that affect the transgender community; Justice B.D. Ahmed elucidates on Muslim law in the modern context; and Justice A.K. Sikri addresses the fundamental concept of dignity, which binds together all the essays in this book. Some of the best-known names in Indian law - Mukul RohatgiMadhavi DivanMenaka GuruswamyArundhati Katju, and Saurabh Kirpal - offer legal perspectives of judgments on sex, sexuality, and gender. From petitioners like Ritu DalmiaKeshav Suri and Zainab Patel, we hear personal narratives of being a part of the LGBTQ community in India, while journalist Namita Bhandare provides a powerful account of the struggle against sexual harassment.

To own your copy - click here

Read the essays already? Take a deeper dive with the authors in this candid book reading with... 

Saurabh Kirpal, Lawyer, Author, and LGBTQ+ Rights Activist 

Chef Ritu Dalmia, Celebrity Chef, and Restaurateur 

Keshav Suri, Executive Director, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, and Founder, Keshav Suri Foundation 

Zainab Patel, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, KPMG India

Stream the conversation by clicking here. 

"The last I checked with the mental health consultants who are on board and working tirelessly to be there for young and old queer folks told me that fear of losing jobs, anxiety, and depression have gone up alarmingly, post-April 2020 within the community." - Keshav Suri 

Read the full story in HT Brunch by clicking here. 

Launch of India Workplace Equality Index

India's First comprehensive benchmarking tool for employers to measure their progress on lesbian, gay, bi, and trans inclusion in the workplace. With Mr. Dilip Chenoy; Secretary General of FICCI and Ms. Nancy Kelley; CEO of Stonewall (UK), Mr. Keshav Suri; Executive Director The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group and Founder, Keshav Suri Foundation and Ramkrishna Sinha; Co-Founder, Pride Circle as the speakers of the event.

Stream the launch event by clicking here.
In collaboration with FICCI we bring you another amazing bookreading for Queeristan. Watch the powerful webinar by clicking here. 
Sign up for our scholarship program, in collaboration with The LaLit Suri Hospitality School. To find out more call on: 0129-7147777. 
The prestigious Ask Insights and The Times of India awards acknowledged, appreciated, and rewarded outstanding work in the field of Diversity and Inclusion. The initiative was supported by Keshav Suri Foundation. We also had Richa Singh, Head Learning, Development, and Diversity for The LaLit Suri Hospitality Group moderate an extremely important panel on LGBTQIA+ stigmas and solutions. 

Stream the panel discussion by clicking here
KSF partnered with The Out & Loud - Pune International Queer Film Festival. As part of the collaboration, we contributed to a panel on 'ERG's and BRG'S During a Pandemic.' 

The Out & Loud Pune International Queer Film Festival, powered by MIST, is an annual event showcasing handpicked queer films from the world over. What’s more!? The festival promises an amazing line-up of performances and thought-provoking panel discussions.
With our wellness expert, Ajachi - September was soulful and helped us deal with all our inner demons. The 4 part wellness series was free and open to all. Our audiences learned the art of being in the moment. Something we can all benefit a lot out of #RightNow.  
The Foundation has also taken the initiative of extending mental health support to people who need the same. Our onboard counselors are giving free counseling to help people cope up with anxiety, stress and other related issues. 
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Update From Our Social Platforms

After being a self-funded initiative for over two years, we are now accepting donations to amplify further and expand our ability to provide support to those who are in dire need of it. The aid provided by you will directly go to further enhance our relief efforts in times of distress, high-quality mental health services, online resources, community support groups, education & competency training, youth empowerment programs & events, STI & HIV awareness, counseling & other activities to embrace, empower and mainstream the LGBTQIA+ community in India.
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Before we go, here is the link to a heartwarming It Gets Better video. Ft. Samyukta Bharadwaj sharing her story with us. 
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