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Sonal Giani is an Indian LGBTQ activist and actress. Known for her advocacy and youth work, she focuses on the social impact of India’s anti-LGBTQ law, Section 377. She is the co-founder of LGBTQ youth initiatives Yaariyan and Umangin.

Early life

Giani grew up in Goa, India and has a twin sister.[1] She came out to first her mother, followed by her father after the Delhi High Court judgement which struck down Section 377.[2] At age 19, she was outed without her consent, leading to feelings of depression.[3] She describes facing backlash, including sexual harassment and finding graffiti aimed at her in washrooms.[4]

Personal life

In 2013, Giani appeared in the reality television show Connected Hum Tum.[5] The program followed Giani for over a year, documenting her life and her relationship with her female partner at the time.[6] Giani also discussed her bisexuality on the show.[5]

Career and activism

Giani worked as an advocacy manager at the Humsafar Trust, a nonprofit that works to improve LGBTQ rights.[6] She cites this job as helping herself heal and “dream of a bias-free, equal world”.[2] In her role, Giani provided assistance to people facing blackmail or extortion under Indian law based on their sexuality.[7]

The root of this widespread discrimination and marginalization against LBT individuals is not because of hatred amongst the society but because of their utter ignorance towards it.

— Sonal Giani[8]

Giani is a co-founder of Yaariyan and Umang, two LGBTQ youth groups in Mumbai.[9] In 2023, she became the delegate for Asia and the Pacific on the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board.[10] She also works at International Planned Parenthood Federation as a senior advisor.[4]

Giani considers same-sex marriage a “distant dream” in India, and the lack of this right as a cause of discrimination against LGBTQ people.[11] She cites the need to educate others to address these root causes, both in terms of sex education and better understanding of LGBTQ individuals.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ Maheshwri, Neha (June 11, 2013). “Connected Hum Tum: Meet the superwomen”. indiatimes.com. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  2. ^ a b De, Hemchhaya (November 6, 2018). “I was outed without my consent: Sonal Giani”. Femina. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  3. ^ Magan, Srishti (June 11, 2019). “17 Indian LGBTQI+ Trailblazers Whose Courage Helped Others Love & Live Freely”. ScoopWhoop. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  4. ^ a b S, Vidya; Mitter, Sohini (April 30, 2023). “LGBTQ+ employees are finding acceptance in Indian companies, but inclusivity challenges exist still”. Business Today. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  5. ^ a b Fernandes, Kasmin (October 19, 2020). “6 most prominent Indian LGBT activists”. TheCSRJournal.in. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  6. ^ a b Iyer, Harish (February 5, 2018). “Out and Proud: Sonal Giani on how she came to terms with her sexuality, and found happiness”. Firstpost. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  7. ^ Dore, Bhavya (November 3, 2015). “How Section 377 Is Being Exploited By The Police and Blackmailers To Extort Men”. The Caravan. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  8. ^ a b Khandelwal, Krishti (June 26, 2023). “Situational Analysis and Needs Assessment of Lesbians, Bisexuals Women and Transmasculine Community in India – IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute”. ImpriInsights.in. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  9. ^ S, Lekshmi Priya (June 23, 2017). “8 Inspiring Indian LGBTQ Individuals Who Raged Fearless Wars & Emerged Victorious!”. The Better India. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  10. ^ “Meet Sonal Giani, our new NGO Delegate for Asia & the Pacific”. unaidspcbngo.org. Archived from the original on June 9, 2025. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  11. ^ Ratnam, Dhamini (July 11, 2015). “Rainbow Wedding”. Mint. Retrieved June 7, 2025.