As I stood on the podium at Indraprastha University in New Delhi, I was expected to tell my personal story as a hijra who is also a successful professional. Since […]Read More
Advocacy, BlogInternational Transgender Remembrance Day 2014
Bini Philips2014 has been a milestone year for transgenders in India. Earlier this year, the third gender was given legal recognition by the Supreme Court of India, an action that inspired discussions […]Read More
Advocacy, BlogTruth Prevails: Satyamev Jayate and Me
Bini PhilipsIn a country where most people can’t cope with ‘anomalies’ in sexual and gender identities, Satyamev Jayate has made visible the hidden struggle endured by millions of Indians. An open discussion […]Read More
Advocacy, BlogIt’s Time We Talk about LGBT Rights
Bini PhilipsIn India, far too many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people live lives of secrecy and shame. Those who reveal their sexual identities or deviate from gender norms face […]Read More
Action, BlogCommunity Catalysts: Pehchan Counselors Transform Lives
amritaOutreach workers and counselors in our Global Fund-supported Pehchan programme play an invaluable and often transformational role for the MSM, transgender and hijra community members they serve. Not only do […]Read More
Advocacy, BlogDo I Count?
Bini PhilipsI was born and raised in Kolkata, when it was still called Calcutta, into an educated middle class family. An only child, I was born male. I think I must […]Read More
Advocacy, BlogStep Up the Pace Against Section 377 in India
indiaaidsallianceIn December 2013, the Indian Supreme Court upheld Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code recriminalizing homosexuality in the country. The months since the judgement have been a time of […]Read More
Advocacy, Blog36,656,825 and Counting
indiaaidsallianceIn 1983, Larry Kramer wrote an article for the New York Native filled with righteous anger, brilliant insight and, reading it now more than 30 years later, electric prophecy. It […]Read More
Action, BlogUnited Against Homophobia: Bringing Pehchan’s Human Rights Model to Uganda
indiaaidsalliance“It was my view that homosexuality should be punished harshly in order to defend our society from disorientation.” – Yoweri Museveni, President of Uganda, while signing Anti-Homosexuality Bill into law on […]Read More
Advocacy, BlogTrans-formation to End Discrimination (#IDAHOT 2014)
indiaaidsallianceMay 17th marks International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) around the world. I am sitting in my office at Alliance India in New Delhi as I gather my thoughts […]Read More