07/23/2023
We at AID Bay Area are distressed at the personal attacks and hate being directed at Anjali Rimi, President of Parivar SA, that have been brought to our notice.
We have collaborated with Parivar since 2019, and have known Anjali to have the deepest dedication to supporting LGBTQ+ communities and individuals. We were witness to how, for months during both waves of the pandemic, Anjali spent countless consecutive sleepless nights on phone calls coordinating relief efforts for trans communities in India. She has worked tirelessly raising funds and awareness for SITAL, a massive undertaking she spearheaded (with community leaders from India) to provide dignified livelihoods to trans individuals in India.
During the pandemic, trans communities in India were completely denied access to healthcare and livelihoods, and stigmatized and scapegoated even more than previously so. These communities were also completely neglected by the vast majority of relief agencies. At this extremely difficult time, Parivar received support for the SITAL work from multiple groups, including AID. Parivar was also open and forthright about receiving support from religious groups who are not ideologically aligned with AID.
While recognizing the validity of many concerns raised with these associations, we made a conscious decision to continue supporting the SITAL projects. This was after having understood the dire need on the ground and the immense dedication and deep grassroots relationships established by Anjali and the SITAL leadership team.
Given the pivotal role Anjali has played in supporting trans communities and individuals both in India and the US, it is heart-wrenching to hear of the many personal attacks directed at her, including threats of violence. While we fully support open discourse and accountability – including the criticism of actions by specific individuals – we unequivocally condemn personal attacks, bullying and harassment.
We would like to stand in solidarity both with victims of transphobia and with victims of religious violence. While AID would never align with groups that threaten the secular fabric of India, we do not consider it our place to dictate to trans leaders – or indeed, members of any similarly marginalized group – their funding sources for critical humanitarian work. We have seen Parivar Bay Area under Anjali's leadership become a powerful force for uplifting minoritized Trans / Gender Non-Conforming (TGNC) communities and individuals, both in India and the US, and hope it continues to thrive in the years ahead.
Association for India's Development (AID) - SF Bay Area Chapter
