We assist you to SWEEKAR

your LGBT+ kids.

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 LGBT+ 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 during the crowd-funding campaign for the film “Evening Shadows” by Sridhar Rangayan and Saagar Gupta.

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 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 LGBTIQIA+ 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 LGBTIQIA+ 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

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CHITRA PALEKAR 

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NILAKSHI ROY

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PADMA IYER

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PRADEEP DIVGIKAR

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REKHA AMBEGAONKAR

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ARUNA DESAI

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CHITRA PALEKAR 

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. 

NILAKSHI ROY

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. 

PADMA IYER

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PRADEEP DIVGIKAR

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REKHA AMBEGAONKAR

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Advisory Members

SRIDHAR RANGAYAN

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HARISH IYER

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. 

SRIDHAR RANGAYAN

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. 

HARISH IYER

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. 

INITIATIVES

Explore Our Initiative Array

Collaboration

Fostering collaboration between corporates and LGBTQ+ organizations to enhance training and awareness initiatives.

Training and Awareness (For Parents)

Empowering parents through collaborative efforts to enhance LGBT acceptance with robust training modules and awareness initiatives.

Online Workshops

Delivering comprehensive online workshops to breakdown LGBT laws (Section 377) and raise awareness.

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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. 

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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 LGBT+ individual or parent/good wisher to a LGBT+ 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 LGBT+ individual or parent/good wisher to a LGBT+ 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.