We assist you to SWEEKAR
your LGBTQIA+ children.
SWEEKAR has been transforming lives since, FEBRUARY 17, 2017
Born from shared experiences, committed to empowering LGBTQIA+ individuals and parents of LGBTQIA+ children.
We Assist you to SWEEKAR your LGBTQIA+ Kids.
SWEEKAR has been transforming lives since, FEBRUARY 17, 2017
Born from shared experiences, committed to empowering LGBTQIA+ individuals and parents of LGBTQIA+ children.
History
How Did SWEEKAR Come Into existence?
SWEEKAR originated from a group of parents who, having accepted their LGBTQIA+ children, became visible advocates at events like pride parades and acceptance meets. Aruna Desai, Bharati Divgikar, Chitra Palekar, Mangala Aher, Nargis Wadia, Padma Iyer, Pradeep Divgikar, Ramesh Kathale, Sarojini Dash, and Vidya Phadnis formed the core team for the first official Sweekar Parents’ Meeting. Over time, they found themselves counseling numerous struggling youth seeking support in coming out to their families. This grassroots movement culminated in the formal founding of Sweekar – The Rainbow Parents, facilitated by Sridhar Rangayan and Saagar Gupta, as part of outreach for their film ‘Evening Shadows’.
The driving force behind Sweekar is the belief in the transformative power of parental acceptance. By uniting parents of LGBTQIA+ individuals, we provide mutual guidance, stay informed on pertinent issues, and offer vital peer counselling. Our outreach extends beyond counselling to participating in diverse platforms, from educational panels to PRIDE marches, collaborating with international organizations, and continually educating ourselves through initiatives like the PRABAL course.
Together, we strive to foster understanding, acceptance, and support within families and society at large.
core values
Our Fundamental Principles and Perspective
CORE IDEA
A support group of parents for parents of LGBTQIA+ individuals.
CORE INTENT
To support and empower parents in accepting their LGBTQIA+ children.
OUR VISION STATEMENT
The vision of Sweekar – The Rainbow Parents is to support parents who are struggling to accept their LGBTQIA+ children to create an equitable world without any stigma and discrimination. This is done through peer counselling by parents, in a completely confidential manner. Sweekar also facilitates open discussions and workshops to formulate a better understanding of the struggles of parents to accept their children.
‘Sweekar: The Rainbow Parents’ intends to have a Pan-India presence, as well as to reach parents of Indian origin residing in other nations. Sweekar aims to be a multicultural network of parents of LGBTQIA+ children who can stand with each other, challenge existing notions of gender and sexuality, and fight for their own rights.
OUR LONG-TERM PURPOSE
To play a pivotal role in building a more equal and safe world for LGBTQIA+ Children of Indian descent by strengthening acceptance in all spaces with primary focus on homes.
By providing education and resources to families, we can foster acceptance and create safe spaces within homes. This approach not only empowers LGBTQIA+ youth but also promotes a more inclusive society where everyone can thrive authentically.
Objectives
3 Sweekar Goal Pillars
ACCEPTANCE
To create a Safe Space for parents of LGBTQIA+ individuals to discuss their anxiety, fears and joys with their peers.
EDUCATION
To facilitate peer sharing among parents and offer training on accurate, intersectional information about queer topics.
EMPOWERMENT
To create a Repository Of Stories Of Acceptance and utilise it to empower other parents.
team
The Team Spearheading This Effort
Core Members
ARUNA DESAI
Aruna Desai, an HR leader and LGBTQ+ advocate, has guided thousands on queer acceptance, spoken at global forums, and co-produced award-winning films like Evening Shadows. Author of equALLY, she trains corporates and schools on allyship. A six-time awardee, she is widely recognized for her impactful work fostering inclusion and acceptance.
CHITRA PALEKAR
Chitra Palekar (She/Her), mother of a lesbian daughter, is a renowned actor, filmmaker, and LGBTQI+ advocate. Active in Experimental Theatre and Parallel Cinema, her award-winning films have screened globally. She counsels parents, writes, and speaks to mainstream queer issues and was a signatory of the Parents’ Petition in the Supreme Court.
NILAKSHI ROY
Dr. Nilakshi Roy, retired Head of English at V G Vaze College, Mumbai, is an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and a spokesperson for Sweekar Rainbow Parents Group. She’s trained institutions, spoken globally on queer issues, contributed to equALLY, and worked on policies for Indian International Schools and academic spaces.
PADMA IYER
Padma Iyer, 66, mother of Equal Rights Activist Harish Iyer, is a dedicated advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights. Having come out as a supportive parent in the early 2000s, she actively counsels survivors of queerphobia and works tirelessly to promote acceptance and equality for the queer community.
PRADEEP DIVGIKAR
Pradeep Divgikar, retired Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Central Excise, later served as a Customs Compliance expert and taught at institutes like Mumbai University’s Garware Institute, IIFF, and NACEN. A former national swimmer and India water polo player, he has been a swimming administrator, commentator, and quizmaster for over 30 years.
REKHA AMBEGAONKAR
Dr. Rekha Ambegaokar (She/Her) from Mumbai, mother of Dr. Dhruv, who is gay, is a Gynaecologist at Nanavati Hospital. An out and proud parent, she actively counsels other parents, offering guidance on LGBTQIA+ acceptance, particularly addressing medical concerns, and fostering understanding and support within the community.
ARUNA DESAI
Aruna Desai, an HR leader and LGBTQ+ advocate, has guided thousands on queer acceptance, spoken at global forums, and co-produced award-winning films like Evening Shadows. Author of equALLY, she trains corporates and schools on allyship. A six-time awardee, she is widely recognized for her impactful work fostering inclusion and acceptance.
CHITRA PALEKAR
Chitra Palekar (She/Her), mother of a lesbian daughter, is a renowned actor, filmmaker, and LGBTQI+ advocate. Active in Experimental Theatre and Parallel Cinema, her award-winning films have screened globally. She counsels parents, writes, and speaks to mainstream queer issues and was a signatory of the Parents’ Petition in the Supreme Court.
NILAKSHI ROY
Dr. Nilakshi Roy, retired Head of English at V G Vaze College, Mumbai, is an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and a spokesperson for Sweekar Rainbow Parents Group. She’s trained institutions, spoken globally on queer issues, contributed to equALLY, and worked on policies for Indian International Schools and academic spaces.
PADMA IYER
Padma Iyer, 66, mother of Equal Rights Activist Harish Iyer, is a dedicated advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights. Having come out as a supportive parent in the early 2000s, she actively counsels survivors of queerphobia and works tirelessly to promote acceptance and equality for the queer community.
PRADEEP DIVGIKAR
Pradeep Divgikar, retired Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Central Excise, later served as a Customs Compliance expert and taught at institutes like Mumbai University’s Garware Institute, IIFF, and NACEN. A former national swimmer and India water polo player, he has been a swimming administrator, commentator, and quizmaster for over 30 years.
REKHA AMBEGAONKAR
Dr. Rekha Ambegaokar (She/Her) from Mumbai, mother of Dr. Dhruv, who is gay, is a Gynaecologist at Nanavati Hospital. An out and proud parent, she actively counsels other parents, offering guidance on LGBTQIA+ acceptance, particularly addressing medical concerns, and fostering understanding and support within the community.
Advisory Members
SRIDHAR RANGAYAN
Sridhar Rangayan is a trailblazer in Indian queer cinema, known for impactful films like The Pink Mirror, Breaking Free, and Evening Shadows, which address social issues with compassion and humor. His documentary Breaking Free won a National Award, while Evening Shadows received 27 awards and screened at 82 international festivals.
A champion for LGBTQ+ rights, he co-founded The Humsafar Trust, India’s first registered gay NGO, and served on the board of Bombay Dost, India’s first gay magazine. Rangayan also founded the KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival, South Asia’s largest LGBTQ+ film festival, celebrating its 15th year.
HARISH IYER
SHarish Iyer is a renowned Indian equal rights activist known for his impactful work in LGBTQIA+ advocacy, gender rights, and child abuse awareness. A survivor himself, he/she has used his personal story to break societal silence and spark important conversations around trauma, identity, and inclusion. Harish is also a writer, columnist, TEDx speaker, and a familiar face on television and public forums, where he/she passionately promotes empathy, equality, and human rights.
He/She collaborates with NGOs, corporates, and government bodies to drive awareness and policy change. Named among The Guardian’s most influential LGBTQIA+ people globally, Harish continues to inspire through his courage, storytelling, and activism—working to build a more just, inclusive, and compassionate India for future generations.
SRIDHAR RANGAYAN
Sridhar Rangayan is a trailblazer in Indian queer cinema, known for impactful films like The Pink Mirror, Breaking Free, and Evening Shadows, which address social issues with compassion and humor. His documentary Breaking Free won a National Award, while Evening Shadows received 27 awards and screened at 82 international festivals.
A champion for LGBTQ+ rights, he co-founded The Humsafar Trust, India’s first registered gay NGO, and served on the board of Bombay Dost, India’s first gay magazine. Rangayan also founded the KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival, South Asia’s largest LGBTQ+ film festival, celebrating its 15th year.
HARISH IYER
Harish Iyer is a renowned Indian equal rights activist known for his impactful work in LGBTQIA+ advocacy, gender rights, and child abuse awareness. A survivor himself, he/she has used his personal story to break societal silence and spark important conversations around trauma, identity, and inclusion. Harish is also a writer, columnist, TEDx speaker, and a familiar face on television and public forums, where he/she passionately promotes empathy, equality, and human rights.
He/She collaborates with NGOs, corporates, and government bodies to drive awareness and policy change. Named among The Guardian’s most influential LGBTQIA+ people globally, Harish continues to inspire through his courage, storytelling, and activism—working to build a more just, inclusive, and compassionate India for future generations.
INITIATIVES
Explore Our Initiative Array
Collaboration
Fostering collaboration between corporates and LGBTQIA+ organizations to enhance training and awareness initiatives.
Training and Awareness (For Parents)
Empowering parents through collaborative efforts to enhance LGBTQIA+ acceptance with robust training modules and awareness initiatives.
Online Workshops
Delivering comprehensive online workshops to breakdown LGBTQIA+ laws (Section 377) and raise awareness.
Counselling
Providing supportive counseling for the wellbeing of the queer community, navigating non-accepting homes and fostering resilience.
Global Conferences
Actively engaged in regional conferences across Asia, representing ILGA in Vietnam and South Korea, while also attending the Salzberg conference in Nepal.
Overturning Section 377 (Advocacy)
Know the law to reap its benefits. we help you drive change by advocating for the abolishment of Section 377 to ensure equal rights for all.
PAN INDIA RESOURCE GUIDE
SWEEKAR believes that any LGBTQIA+ individual or parent/good wisher to a LGBTQIA+ child should have access to all resources at a Pan India level. This document will guide you on which NGO can guide you as per your location and need.
PAN INDIA RESOURCE GUIDE
SWEEKAR believes that any LGBTQIA+ individual or parent/good wisher to a LGBTQIA+ child should have access to all resources at a Pan India level. This document will guide you on which NGO can guide you as per your location and need.