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SAPPHO: The Emotional Support Group of Lesbian & Bisexual Women

Mission Women who love women are under tremendous pressure in India. Sappho is a group in Kolkata, Eastern India which aims at creating supportive environment for women with same sex preference.

Objectives

  • Creating a safe space and environment for Lesbian & Bi-Sexual Women.

  • To provide friendly support and counseling services to the lesbian community.

  • To create public awareness in India on lesbianism.

  • Networking with similar groups and creating links in India and Abroad.

  • To provide legal help if required.

  • To highlight the issues within the broad spectrum of Human Rights.

  • To provide information & create awareness about safe sex.

  • To provide Library and Information Services.

Activities in our Region we have already done the following works in our Region:

  • Reached out to more women through stickers and pamphlets.

  • Publicized our issues with the help of media like Leading Newspapers The Anandbazar Patrika, The Telegraph, The Asian Age, The Hindustan Times, The Times of India, The Statesman etc. & Magazines like Femina, Savvy and Television Programs Tara Bangla (A Regional Channel of Kolkata), Star TV.

  • Sappho has become a member of "Maitree", a network of women activists and NGOs in West Bengal in 2000.

  • Introduced HELPLINE(91-033-2813462) in January 2001.The Helpline runs every Monday from
    1-3pm (IST).

Activities at National Level we have already done the following works at National Level:

  • Attended National Human Rights Conferences in Panchagani, gave presentation on our issues and interacted with other similar groups in India December 2000.

Activities at International Level we have already done the following works at International Level:

  • Attended DESIQ 2000, an International Gay Conference in San Francisco in June 2000. A member of Sappho sponsored by Ford Foundation, took part in the Gay Pride Walk, gave presentation and shared experiences.

Workshops & Seminars Attended we have participated and co-organized various workshops and conferences generating discussions around lesbian issues:

  • Participated in "Network East" (a 2 days Workshop) with a well known Gay Group of Kolkata in December' 1999.

  • Participated in a 5 days Workshop at The British Council (Kolkata) with one day totally devoted to the Gay Rights in March 2000.

  • Organized a Workshop on counseling to train ourselves with the help of British Council (Kolkata) and a well known Lesbian group, Sangini from Delhi in April 2000.

  • Co-organized with British Council (Kolkata) Film Shows followed by open discussions and seminars with other NGOs attending, Media, Eminent Personalities from Theatre and Professors from Universities and Colleges in June 2000 and March 2001.

  • Participated in a Tele-counseling Workshop with a friendly NGO in February 2001

  • Celebrated International Women's Day on 8th March 2001 with other women activist groups by public speaking and poetry reading from our group Member.

  • Organised a seminar on "Lesbianism - Facts and Fictions"in December,2001.It was our first
    independent public address.

  • Organised a self-educating workshop on "Safe Sex" in May 2002, in collaboration with Sangini, Delhi.

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