The funding landscape for queer philanthropy in India is stark: only one of India’s top 50 donors explicitly supports LGBTQIA+ organizations, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions remain negligible. While global funding for LGBTQIA+ communities is growing, India barely participates or benefits from these philanthropic efforts.

Despite these structural barriers, and in the face of considerable prejudice, queer organisers and grassroots activists have made landmark efforts for their communities. Non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations, born out of these movements, do their best to confront vital challenges for LGBTQIA+ communities, including access to healthcare, livelihoods, justice, and dignity. The Pride Fund aims to offer greater support to these organizations through grants enabling their work, with a view to improving the future of LGBTQIA+ Indians throughout the country.

Commenting on the launch of the fund, Parmesh Shahani, Head of Godrej DEI Lab, said,” The Pride Fund is a historic milestone— a first-of-its-kind initiative in India, created by queer community members, for the community. This fund embodies our shared vision of equity and inclusion by directly addressing the systemic barriers that have long marginalized LGBTQIA+ individuals. With only 27% of NGOs serving the community having a national presence, through targeted support and resources, we aim to empower communities to access safety, health, justice, and opportunities that have been denied to them for far too long. We hope to build a stronger, more inclusive society that truly embodies the spirit of a Viksit Bharat, one where every individual, irrespective of their identity, can thrive with dignity and pride.” 

Radhika Piramal, Executive Director, VIP Industries & Trustee, Dasra UK, added, “The Pride fund is being launched to raise awareness and resources for LGBTQIA+ communities in India. With international aid drying up almost overnight , our Indian corporates and foundations must urgently step up to fill the funding gap and fund NGOs who help vulnerable queer people access safety, justice, health  and dignity. Let’s all come together to support some of our most creative and innovative communities and help India thrive.” 

“The Pride Fund is more than just a financial commitment—it’s a revolution in how we invest in India’s LGBTQIA+ future. At the Keshav Suri Foundation, we’ve always believed that true change happens when passion meets purpose, and this fund is a testament to the power of collaboration. India has always believed in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and now, we are ready to lead the way for the world. With like-minded partners, we are bridging the funding gap, ensuring that queer-led organizations get the resources they deserve. Inclusion isn’t charity; it’s a necessity. Together, we’re not just making a difference; we’re setting the stage for a future where every LGBTQIA+ individual in India thrives with dignity, opportunity, and, of course, a little fabulousness!”, said Keshav Suri, Executive Director, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group & Founder, Keshav Suri Foundation.

At the launch of The Pride Fund, Dasra released a report titled – ‘Against All Odds – Advancing Equity for India’s LGBTQIA+ Communities,’ which studies the challenges faced by LGBTQIA+-focused organizations in India, and recommends solutions to overcome barriers, and prioritize responsive approaches co-created with the community.

Commenting on the report, Neera Nundy, Co-founder & Partner Dasra, said, “India, home to 18% of the world’s population, receives under 1% of global LGBTQIA+ funding, leaving this cause critically underfunded. The pioneering Pride Fund takes a collaborative approach to tackle this imbalance by supporting queer-led organizations driving change at the grassroots level. By empowering these leaders, we’re not just meeting immediate needs but securing long-term impact for a future where every LGBTQIA+ individual can thrive.”

The Pride Fund aims to create transformational change for India’s LGBTQIA+ community through patient and intentional philanthropy. With a focus on impact-driven solutions and increased attention to the needs of marginalized communities, it strives to chart a new path toward equality and inclusion in India.

The post Godrej Industries Group, Radhika Piramal and Keshav Suri Foundation come together with Dasra to launch The Pride Fund, India’s First LGBTQIA+ Philanthropy Fund  appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

Bengaluru, 30^th October 2024: From the warm glow of diyas to the aroma of festive treats, Diwali is a celebration of love, light, and togetherness that bridges hearts and traditions. Godrej L’affaire, the experiential owned media lifestyle platform by Godrej Industries Group (GIG), extends its heartfelt celebration of love and relationships with the continuation of their #CelebratingAcceptance campaign on Diwali.

The film aims to showcase the true meaning of acceptance and equality in relationships, by portraying the emotional journey of a same-sex couple. In a world where stereotypes and prejudices continue to persist, Godrej L’affaire seeks to challenge these biases through a compelling brand film. The story centres around young Shlok’s interaction with his neighbour Aunt, who helps with his understanding of love and family. As the Diwali celebrations unfold, Shlok encounters different family dynamics and customs. His neighbour Aunt teaches him that traditions are best enriched by embracing all types of relationships and Shlok becomes a catalyst for acceptance.

Featuring Ankit Andulekar (Animesh) & Shailesh Gupta (Jay) as the same sex couple, the brand film beautifully delivers a powerful message about love, acceptance and the importance of understanding and nurturing inclusive relationships. Godrej L’affaire, with this campaign, aims to emphasize the importance of relationships alongside traditions, highlighting that, ‘Riwaazo se Rishte nahi Bante’ (Relationships aren’t built on traditions), but instead ‘Hum rishton se Riwaaz banate hai’ (We create traditions through relationships). Through the innocent curiosity of five-year-old Shlok, we see complex themes like love and acceptance gently simplified. Shlok’s neighbour imbibes the message of celebrating all forms of love through a beautiful metaphor, ‘Brown ho ya colourful, hai toh dono mitti ke diye na.’ (Brown or Colourful, after all every diya is made from the same clay). This perspective allows Shlok to absorb diverse relationships without bias. This film reminds us that acceptance begins with understanding and that, sometimes, the simplest metaphors can impart the deepest lessons.

Diwali is all about the joy we bring to each other’s lives. After all, when each diya shines its unique light, the festival becomes even more meaningful. Shlok becomes an ambassador of change, learning and imparting the true spirit of inclusion at a young age. The message is clear: Diwali is for everyone, and every relationship should be celebrated with Pride.

Speaking on the campaign, Sujit Patil (he/him), Chief Communications Officer, Corporate Brand and Communications, Godrej Industries Group, said, “Festivities in India are deeply entrenched in tradition. With this film Godrej L’Affaire aims to generate conversations around widening traditional norms. We hope to spark meaningful conversations around love that transcends norms. Diwali is a time of celebration and connection, and we believe that the light of acceptance should shine equally bright for everyone—regardless of who they love. At its heart, this film reflects the beauty of relationships built on authenticity, reminding us that true joy comes from embracing one another just as we are. We hope it inspires people to celebrate relationships in all their forms and create traditions that are rooted in love.”

Further adding to this, Parmesh Shahani(he/him), Head – Godrej DEI Lab, said, “Godrej Industries Group has a dedicated diversity and inclusion vertical, the Godrej DEI Lab, committed to workplace inclusion and we were delighted to collaborate on this important project. Through this campaign, we hope to encourage viewers to expand the idea of tradition and love their family members in all their beautiful diversity, just as the mother in this video has done. Our efforts in this direction coincide with the recent steps of the government’s Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE), which had invited inputs of stakeholders and the public at large, so as to ensure that policies and initiatives regarding LGBTQI+ community are inclusive and effective. The Department of Financial Services (DFS) has issued an advisory that there are no restrictions for persons of the queer community to open a joint bank account and to nominate a person in queer relationship as a nominee, while the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued letters to all stakeholders including all States/UTs to take measures to ensure the rights of LGBTQI+ community. We believe that through videos like this, we can share with viewers how invaluable support from family members empowers the LGBTQIA+ community to truly make every milestone in their lives a celebration of inclusion.”

Aadie Sawant (He/Him), Senior Content Creator – AGENCY09, the Ideator & Screenplay writer for this campaign added, “Familiarizing children to different concepts, different perspectives is important. Most queer individuals spend their childhood being indoctrinated to a “straight” way of living. Letting them know that it’s okay to pursue what seems right to you is crucial, so as to not affect their adult life. I’m happy that I got to share this narrative of acceptance and love.”

This Diwali, join Godrej L’affaire in embracing a significant step towards fostering a society where love knows no bounds and where all relationships are cherished.

The post Godrej L’Affaire Champions LGBTQIA+ Inclusion with Heartwarming Diwali Film #CelebratingAcceptance appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.