10 LGBTQ+ Organizations in India You Should Know About

The fight for queer rights in India hasn't been led by politicians or corporations. It's been led by organizations -- some of them started in living rooms by a handful of people, running on passion and pocket money. These groups have filed the lawsuits, run the helplines, organized the pride marches, sheltered the rejected, and built the community infrastructure that millions of LGBTQ+ Indians depend on.

Yet many queer people in India don't know these organizations exist. Or they know the names but not what they do. Or they're not sure how to access their services.

This list is a starting point. These 10 organizations represent the breadth of LGBTQ+ work in India -- from legal advocacy and health services to mental health support, community building, and cultural preservation. Some have been around for over 30 years. Others are newer but filling critical gaps.

If you've ever wondered who's doing the work -- or how you can get involved -- start here.

1. The Humsafar Trust (Mumbai)

Founded: 1994 Focus: Health, advocacy, community building Website: humsafar.org

The Humsafar Trust is India's oldest and most prominent LGBTQ+ community-based organization. Founded in 1994 by Ashok Row Kavi and two other self-identified gay men in Mumbai, it has spent over 30 years working on LGBTQ+ health, well-being, and rights.

Humsafar runs support groups including Yaariyan (for young LGBTQ+ individuals), Umang (for lesbian, bisexual, and trans women), and Sanjeevani (for people living with HIV). The organization operates a community health centre, provides HIV testing and counselling, and has been instrumental in policy advocacy.

The Humsafar Trust was a key petitioner in the Navtej Singh Johar case that led to the decriminalization of Section 377 in 2018. A 2024 survey by Humsafar found that 64% of LGBTQ+ respondents reported negative family impacts due to their identity.

How to access: Walk-in centre in Mumbai's Vakola neighbourhood. Online resources and referrals available through their website. Helpline available for support.

2. Naz Foundation (New Delhi)

Founded: 1994 Focus: HIV/AIDS, sexual health, legal advocacy Website: nazindia.org

If the Humsafar Trust is the heart of India's LGBTQ+ movement, the Naz Foundation is its legal backbone. Founded by Anjali Gopalan in 1994, Naz Foundation filed the original petition that led to the 2009 Delhi High Court ruling reading down Section 377 -- the first time an Indian court affirmed the dignity of same-sex relationships.

Beyond legal advocacy, Naz Foundation runs sexual health programs, youth outreach initiatives, and community support services. Their LGBTQIA+ Initiative focuses on creating safe spaces, building networks, and providing health services specifically for queer communities in Delhi.

"Naz Foundation didn't just change a law. They changed the conversation in India about who deserves rights and dignity," notes legal scholar Gautam Bhan.

How to access: Office in New Delhi. Programs and services listed on their website.

3. Orinam (Chennai)

Founded: 2003 Focus: Community building, resources, cultural preservation Website: orinam.net

Orinam is a volunteer-run collective of LGBTIQA+ people and allies based in Chennai. What makes Orinam unique is its commitment to documenting and preserving India's queer history and culture, particularly in South India.

Their website is one of the most comprehensive LGBTQ+ resource hubs in India -- with articles, personal stories, legal information, health resources, and cultural content in multiple languages including Tamil, Hindi, and English. Orinam also organizes community events, film screenings, and support group meetings in Chennai.

The collective has been particularly vocal about the intersection of caste, language, and queer identity -- issues that national organizations sometimes overlook.

How to access: Online resources freely available. Community events posted on their website and social media. Email-based support available.

4. Sappho for Equality (Kolkata)

Founded: 2003 Focus: Lesbian, bisexual women, and trans men's rights Website: sapphokolkata.in

Sappho for Equality operates out of Kolkata and focuses specifically on the rights and well-being of lesbian and bisexual women and trans men -- communities that are often underrepresented within the broader LGBTQ+ movement.

The organization provides crisis intervention, counselling, legal support, and community spaces. They run a helpline, publish research on queer women's issues in India, and organize cultural events including Kolkata's Rainbow Pride Walk, one of India's oldest pride marches.

A 2023 study supported by Sappho found that 72% of lesbian and bisexual women in Kolkata reported experiencing domestic violence related to their sexual orientation -- a statistic that underscores why gender-specific queer organizations are essential.

How to access: Helpline and drop-in centre in Kolkata. Online resources and publications available.

5. Mariwala Health Initiative (Mumbai)

Founded: 2014 Focus: Mental health, queer-affirmative therapy training Website: mhi.org.in

The Mariwala Health Initiative (MHI) has become one of India's most important organizations at the intersection of mental health and queer rights. Their flagship program, the Queer Affirmative Counselling Practice (QACP), is a six-day intensive training course that equips mental health professionals to provide affirming care to LGBTQ+ clients.

Since launching QACP in 2019, MHI has trained hundreds of therapists across India. Their directory of QACP-certified practitioners is one of the most trusted resources for queer individuals seeking mental health support.

MHI also funds community mental health initiatives, conducts research on queer mental health in India, and provides grants to smaller LGBTQ+ organizations. Their 2022 survey found that 43% of LGBTQ+ individuals who sought therapy in India reported at least one negative experience with a mental health professional.

How to access: QACP practitioner directory on their website. Research publications and mental health resources freely available.

6. iCall — TISS Mumbai

Founded: 2012 Focus: Telephonic and online counselling Website: icallhelpline.org Helpline: 9152987821

iCall is a psychosocial helpline operated by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai. While not exclusively an LGBTQ+ organization, iCall has developed specific expertise in supporting queer callers and maintains a list of LGBTQ+-friendly therapists sorted by city across India.

What makes iCall valuable is its accessibility. The helpline is free, confidential, and available to anyone struggling with mental health, identity, relationships, or crisis situations. For many queer individuals -- particularly those in smaller cities without access to in-person support -- iCall is a lifeline.

According to iCall's own data, approximately 15% of their calls involve LGBTQ+-related concerns, including coming-out anxiety, family rejection, relationship issues, and suicidal ideation.

How to access: Call 9152987821 (Monday-Saturday, 8 AM-10 PM). Email counselling also available.

7. The Queer Muslim Project (Mumbai/Online)

Founded: 2017 Focus: Intersection of queer and Muslim identity Website: Active on social media (Instagram: @thequeermuslimproject)

The Queer Muslim Project addresses an intersection that's often invisible: the experience of being queer and Muslim in India. Founded by Rafiul Alom Rahman, the project creates content, hosts events, and builds community for LGBTQ+ Muslims navigating the intersection of their faith and identity.

Through storytelling, art, and community gatherings, The Queer Muslim Project challenges the narrative that queerness and Islamic faith are incompatible. Their work has been featured in national and international media, bringing visibility to a community that often feels caught between two worlds.

"We exist in the hyphen between identities that the world tells us can't coexist," says Rahman. "Our work is to show that they can, and they do, every day."

How to access: Social media community. Regular events in Mumbai and online.

8. Swabhava Trust (Bangalore)

Founded: 1999 Focus: Sexuality, health, and human rights Website: swabhava.org

Swabhava Trust has been a cornerstone of Bangalore's queer community for over 25 years. The organization provides counselling, health services, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ individuals in Karnataka.

Swabhava runs a helpline that provides support in English, Kannada, and Hindi, making it accessible to a broader population than English-only services. They also conduct workshops on sexuality and gender for schools, colleges, and workplaces -- working at the grassroots level to shift understanding.

The organization has been particularly effective in connecting queer individuals in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across Karnataka with support services, recognizing that LGBTQ+ life in India isn't limited to metro areas.

How to access: Helpline available (check website for current number). Drop-in centre in Bangalore.

9. Nestam (Visakhapatnam)

Founded: 2016 Focus: LGBTQIA+ support in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Website: Active on social media

Nestam is a leading LGBTQIA+ support organization based in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. What makes Nestam significant is its geography -- it operates outside the traditional queer infrastructure of Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore, providing services to LGBTQ+ individuals in cities and towns where support is otherwise non-existent.

The organization provides counselling, legal support, emergency shelter, and community events. Nestam has been particularly active in advocating for transgender rights in Andhra Pradesh and has worked with local police and administration to sensitize officials on LGBTQ+ issues.

Nestam's work demonstrates an important truth: queer Indians don't just live in metro cities. And the organizations that serve them need to be where they are.

How to access: Community meetups in Visakhapatnam. Support services available through social media outreach.

10. Lawyers Collective (Mumbai/Delhi)

Founded: 1981 Focus: Legal advocacy, human rights Website: lawyerscollective.org

While not exclusively an LGBTQ+ organization, the Lawyers Collective has been instrumental in almost every major legal victory for queer rights in India. Founded by Anand Grover and Indira Jaising, the organization provided legal representation in the Naz Foundation case and has continued to advocate for LGBTQ+ legal rights through strategic litigation.

The Lawyers Collective works on the legal architecture that underpins queer rights -- fighting for anti-discrimination legislation, pushing for marriage equality, and challenging laws that disproportionately affect LGBTQ+ individuals.

Their team includes some of India's most respected constitutional lawyers, and their involvement in a case is often a signal that it has serious legal merit and strategic importance.

How to access: Legal resources and case updates available on their website. Referral-based legal support.

Beyond These 10

This list is not exhaustive. India's LGBTQ+ support ecosystem includes dozens more organizations doing vital work:

• Good As You (Bangalore) -- one of India's oldest LGBTQ+ support groups, operating since 1994
• Sangini Trust (Delhi) -- support for lesbian and bisexual women
• Pink Pages India -- LGBTQ+ business directory
• Queer Campus -- support groups for young queer people in multiple cities
• Gaysi Family -- online publication and community platform
• Dosti Project -- archive of queer South Asian stories

How to Get Involved

You don't have to start an organization to make a difference. Here's how you can support the ones that already exist:

• Donate. Even small amounts help. Most organizations run on tight budgets. A monthly donation of Rs 500-1000 has real impact.
• Volunteer. Many organizations need volunteers for events, helplines, social media, and administrative work.
• Amplify. Share their content, attend their events, and talk about their work in your circles.
• Access their services. If you need support, reach out. These organizations exist because of demand -- using their services validates their mission.
• Build community. Platforms like Stick connect queer men across India not just for dating but for the kind of community that sustains organizations and movements.

The Work Continues

Every right that queer Indians enjoy today was won by the organizations on this list and others like them. Every helpline call answered, every legal challenge filed, every pride march organized, every shelter bed provided -- it adds up to a movement that has changed India.

And the work isn't done. Marriage equality, anti-discrimination legislation, healthcare access, family acceptance -- these are the battles ahead. They'll be fought by the same kinds of organizations, staffed by the same kinds of people: queer Indians who refuse to accept anything less than full equality.

Know them. Support them. Join them.

FAQs

What is the oldest LGBTQ+ organization in India?

The Humsafar Trust, founded in 1994 in Mumbai, is India's oldest LGBTQ+ community-based organization. Good As You in Bangalore, also established in 1994, is one of the longest-surviving LGBTQ+ support groups.

Are there LGBTQ+ helplines in India?

Yes. iCall at TISS Mumbai (9152987821) offers free counselling Monday-Saturday. The Vandrevala Foundation helpline (1860-2662-345) provides 24/7 support. Many organizations like Humsafar Trust and Swabhava Trust also run their own helplines.

How can I find LGBTQ+ organizations in my city?

Start with the Varta Gender and Sexuality Resource database (resources.vartagensex.org), which has a searchable directory by city. Orinam.net also maintains comprehensive city-wise resource lists.

Do these organizations provide legal help for LGBTQ+ individuals?

Several do. The Lawyers Collective and Naz Foundation provide legal advocacy. The Humsafar Trust and Sappho for Equality offer legal referrals. Many organizations can connect you with LGBTQ+-friendly lawyers in your city.

Can I volunteer with these organizations if I'm not out?

Absolutely. Many organizations welcome anonymous or pseudonymous volunteers, particularly for online work, translations, and administrative tasks. Your level of visibility is always your choice.