Support My Campaign
Tata Mumbai Marathon 2024
As an out and proud gay man in India I have faced my own struggles of being discriminated and stigmatized about my sexual orientation. The one thing that has helped me tide over my social handicap is my education.
Education has empowered me not only to confront the discrimination but has also paved the path for my economic independence, self-esteem and thereby health and well-being.
This January 2016 I shall be running the Half Marathon to help create an Education Fund for the LGBT community who have been unable to complete their education due to discrimination, violence and bullying. The school drop out ratio in the LGBT community is significantly higher when compounded with lower socio economic status.
I have set for myself a small goal to raise Rs 100,000/ towards an Education Fund at the SCMM 2016. With this fund Humsafar Trust would be able to support the LGBT community by offering Education Opportunities with organizations who have an inclusive approach. ( One of them being VIDYA with whom we have already begun initiatives. )
Every kilometer that I run is a step towards Equal Opportunities for the LGBT community and we hugely value your support and contribution .
About Me
I currently serve as the Director-Programs of The Humsafar Trust. At the age of 13, I realized that I was a gay child. For the longest time I felt that being gay limited my ability to achieve or seek a profession of my choosing. Media, movies and society stereotyped the kind of professions where I could seek to achieve excellence. As an 18 year old who received counselling from The Humsafar Trust, I realized that my sexual orientation does not limit either my capability or my dreams of achieving professional success. Graduating top of the class with a B.Sc degree , a double gold medalist at Masters Level and an MBA from one of the premier institutes of the country, I feel the need to make other LGBT youth realize their potential.