A safe space for Hyderabad’s QT centre for the queer and trans community

Even six years after the Supreme Court passed its landmark judgement decriminalising homosexuality, the queer community continues to suffer physical and emotional violence and systemic discrimination in both the private and public spheres. Speaking to The Hindu, Tashi Choedup, a core team member of the centre and a long-time queer-rights activist, says: “The idea for QT Center emerged in the middle of the pandemic when everything was shut down and many queer and trans people were stuck in their natal homes, which is often breeding groundfor violence. “We use theatre, movement, reading, films, and various mediums to engage with people – to process one’s emotions and how to regulate depression or anxiety,” says Tashi. “One lawyer from the DLSA comes here every Saturday and provides legal aid to queer and trans people who are facing domestic violence, medical abuse, property issues, workplace harassment, rental issues, etc.,” informs Priyanka, the centre manager. “There is a pertinent need for spaces that are queer-owned and provides service for queer people entirely, instead of organisations that are just ‘queer-friendly’ on one day of the week or across June.