GAY DESI, part of the Moral Courage Project by Irshad Manji
Gay Desi serves primarily the gay Indian population in South Africa, including its surrounding countries. We offer health promotion and support for anyone living with and affected by HIV, support workshops for friends, families of LGBT individuals and work with diverse communities on prevention education.
Our programs and services are targeted in culturally appropriate ways while simultaneously challenging the discomfort many have in talking about sexuality and sexual health.
We acknowledge the many social determinants of health and our work often overlaps with issues of racism, gender equity, housing, violence, mental health and employment. We are always learning, growing and building stronger partnerships with organizations and people.
And the importance of situating HIV within a culturally appropriate framework is vital for prevention education and support services to have a meaningful impact. Gay Desi’s work is focused on areas that many Indians find uncomfortable facing, such as sexuality, sexual health and homophobia. The shame and guilt associated with conversations on sexual health impede access to information and fuel our work even today.
If you are interested in collaborating, working, or volunteering with Gay Desi, read below and email info@indianspice.co.za on how to be part of this moral courage project.
VISION: Our vision is a world where Indian and Indian-alike communities have the access and means to determine their health and well-being.
MISSION: Gay Desi is committed to providing health promotion, care, and support for self-identifying people of Indian descent living with, at risk of, or affected by HIV/AIDS
VALUES AND PRINCIPLES:
- We work within an anti-oppression framework to promote social justice and equity.
- We strive to reduce the impact of racism, sexism, heterosexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, ageism, classism, and other forms of discrimination on Indian communities.
- We approach our work recognizing the social, economic and cultural factors that determine individual health.
- We are committed to the Greater and Meaningful Involvement of People living with HIV/AIDS in all aspects of our work.
- We adopt a holistic view of health that includes mind, body, spirit and relationship to community.
- We respect the confidentiality and privacy of the people we serve.
- We strive to be transparent and accountable to all our stakeholders.
OUR HISTORY
A bit of history…
Gay Desi was born the day Naufal Khan, a South African Indian Muslim took the bold step to come out and identify himself as a homosexual in 2008. The ramifications of which led to becoming an outcast and having a fatwa issued against him.
His motivation stemmed after reading about Irshad Manji. He found strength that a woman, a lesbian by orientation took her bold step and changed the world around her 1 day at a time. Khan goes on to say. “I never wanted to come out, but I needed to – if not only for my sanity but I knew I had the strength to carry the burdens of others and affect change for the positive. Let me be the litmus test for other Indians.” Read more about Naufal Khan’s story here >>
| NAUFAL KHAN | Executive Director |
| LAKSHYA MALHOTRA | Workshops/Volunteer Efforts |
| APARNA SHETH | HIV Prevention Education Facilitator |
| HAMZA SAYED | MSM Outreach Coordinator |
| APARNA SHETH | Women’s Health and Support Coordinator |
If you are interested in collaborating, working, or volunteering with Gay Desi email info@indianspice.co.za on how to be part of this moral courage project.
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