The cornerstone of effective community-based participatory research lies in working collaboratively alongside the communities we serve. Our team is partnering with two LGBTQ+ advocacy non-governmental organizations, Solidarity and Action Against the HIV Infection in India (SAATHII) and Nirangal, both based in Chennai, to implement this project.
SAATHII and Nirangal have worked extensively to promote greater understanding and acceptance of gender and sexual diversity within South Indian communities. A major goal of the two NGOs includes sensitizing and training medical and mental health practitioners about LGBTQ+ needs. We reached out to SAATHII and Nirangal following an extensive online research process, during which our team identified potential international stakeholder candidates based on organizational mission, past LGBTQ+ inclusivity initiatives, and in-country networks. Dr. Ramakrishnan, Siva, Sankari, and Delfina have been instrumental in guiding this project, supporting the proposal writing and Sigma IRB processes, compiling and pre-testing interview tools, coordinating interviews, and revising and translating curriculum modules.
Learn more about the NGOs: