Manohar Elavarthi
Manohar Elavarthi (born 4 September 1971) is a human rights activist[1] who is working for LGBTQ+ rights for over two decades. He is the founder of Sangama,[2] a sexual minorities and sex worker's rights organisation. He also founded or headed rights-based NGOs like Aneka, Suraksha, Solidarity Foundation and Sanchaya Nele.
Early life
Manohar is born in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh. He did his schooling in Gyarampalle, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh.
Advocacy
He supported in the formation of independent advocacy-focused community organisations like Karnataka Sexual Minorities Forum,[3] Karnataka Sex Workers Union and Karnataka Vikalachethanara Sanghatane, an organisation of persons with disabilities in Chikkaballapura District.
He is involved in advocacy for health rights[4] of marginalised communities and mentored networks and platforms like South Asia Human Rights Association,[5] Coalition for Sexual Minorities and Sexworkers Rights (based in Bangalore), National Network of Sex Workers, Bangalore Citizens Initiative for Peace, Narmada Solidarity Forum, and popularised Freedom Miles concept for Gender Justice and North-East Solidarity. In response to Nirbhaya incident, he organised a series of ‘Freedom Miles’[6] or public walks for women’s safety in Bangalore. He is instrumental in Sangama taking up HIV prevention work.[7]
He served as the vice-chair of the CCM-Global Fund (India Country Coordination Mechanism for The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria).
References
- ^ "Azad's comments on gays sparks outrage". The Times of India. 2011-07-05. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
- ^ "Fights to create safer space for sexual minorities". The Times of India. 2011-07-18. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
- ^ "Transgender voters in Karnataka double in 5 years". The Times of India. 2017-12-12. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
- ^ Bureau, The Hindu (2023-08-07). "Rapid survey highlights lack of access to free medicines in Karnataka government hospitals". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
- ^ "Development and Change for LGBT Indians, Nepalese". blogs.worldbank.org. 2012-05-29. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
- ^ K, Navya P. (2013-01-01). "Bengaluru protestors looking for deeper change". Citizen Matters, Bengaluru. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
- ^ "'Equal medical care is our right too'". Governance Now. 2012-03-14. Retrieved 2024-01-04.