Solidarity & Action Against The HIV Infection in India

SAATHII Program in Genders and Sexualities - Calcutta

Support Pages for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People in Eastern India:
An Activity of the SAATHII Calcutta LGBT Support Centre

Some of the material in the reference library in the resource centre

About SAATHII Calcutta LGBT Support Centre: Since early 2004, the Calcutta office of SAATHII has been running a resource centre for voluntary agencies working with - or planning to work with - lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in eastern India. Currently voluntary agencies in West Bengal, Orissa and Manipur are being supported.

The resource centre focuses on sexuality, human rights, sexual health, HIV/AIDS and other related issues that concern LGBT people. It organizes various training programmes for voluntary agencies on these issues as also on aspects such as counselling, documentation and organizational development.

Apart from its services for voluntary agencies, the resource centre provides the following direct services to LGBT people:

• A reference library with fictional and non-fictional books, studies, reports, articles and papers, journals, magazines, newsletters and newspapers, clippings, films, photographs and a range of educational aids
  

• A telephone and e-mail based helpline counselling service on sexuality, human rights, sexual health, HIV/AIDS and other issues concerning LGBT people like dealing with isolation, self-esteem, marriage and same sex relationships
  

• An Internet service – Support Pages for LGBT People in Eastern India – which you are accessing right now!
  

• Small interface events with resource persons from the fields of sexuality, human rights, sexual health, HIV/AIDS, counselling, media and the arts. These events may also include activities like film shows and quizzes.
  

• Large networking events like film festivals, performing art shows, exhibitions, fairs and get-togethers. Some of these events are also open to the general public and provide a safe and entertaining atmosphere to meet many different people
  

Acknowledgements

The SAATHII Calcutta LGBT Support Centre and these web pages have been made possible thanks to funding support from Elton John AIDS Foundation, London.