"It is a reflection of what we are doing with our minorities. Be it in Kashmir, be it in the North East, be it rights for the sexual minority, animal rights, it is the same attitude. We are becoming more and more intolerant of the other". All individuals, if you give them the space, will prove to be productive citizens. "But if you impose your sets of right and wrong and therefore they have no right to live, then what can you expect from people?"[9]
— Anjali Gopalan on re-criminalisation of homosexuality in India
Early work
Gopalan collaborated with community-based organizations in New York City,[4] assisting migrants from Southeast Asia without valid documentation.[10] She later founded the Naz Foundation.[1][11]
1990s
In 1994, upon returning to India, Gopalan established Delhi's first HIV clinic.[12] The same year, she founded the Naz Foundation (India) Trust, an organization focused on supporting LGBT individuals and children affected by HIV.[4] The foundation also works to promote the rights of individuals with marginalized sexual orientations.
2000s
In 2000, Gopalan opened India’s first care home for orphaned and vulnerable HIV-positive children and women.[13] She also provided training for healthcare professionals and caregivers on how to care for HIV-positive children in both residential and foster care settings.
In 2001, Gopalan’s organization, Naz Foundation, filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalized homosexuality. The legal challenge sought to address the harassment and discrimination faced by individuals based on their sexual orientation. In 2009, the Delhi High Court ruled in favor of the Naz Foundation, declaring Section 377 a violation of individual rights.[14]
When I started working in the 1990s on addressing rights of gay men, I never thought that I would be sitting in a place like Madurai and discussing about LGBT issues, I feel very ecstatic.[15]
— Anjali Gopalan, on the Alan Turing Rainbow Festival Organized by Srishti Madurai
In 2001, Gopalan was awarded the Commonwealth Award[14] for her work with marginalized communities. The Chennai-based Manava Seva Dharma Samvardhani presented her with the Sadguru Gnanananda Award in 2003 for her work in supporting those living with HIV/AIDS.
In March 2007, Gopalan was honored as a Woman Achiever[14] by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, along with nine other awardees. On July 29, 2012, Gopalan inaugurated the Alan Turing Rainbow festival and flag of Asia's first genderqueerpride parade as a part of the Turing festival organized by Gopi Shankar Madurai of Srishti Madurai. This was the first gay pride parade attended by Gopalan.[16] Since September 2, 2012, she has served as the advisory head of the committee of Srishti Madurai.[17][18]
In 2012, Gopalan established an animal sanctuary called "All Creatures Great and Small" at Silakhari, Harayana.[19]
Anjali Gopalan Srishti Awards for Social Justice Journalism
The academic committee of Srishti Madurai awards the Anjali Gopalan Srishti Awards for Social Justice Journalism to social journalists. The first award was received by V. Mayilvaganan and V. Narayanswamy from The Times of India for highlighting issues regarding genderqueer people and Santhi Soundarajan.[24]
