Advocacy & Workshops
Yutak LGBTQ Trust conducts workshops & training sessions for colleges, corporates & other workplaces. These sessions provide gender sensitization and LGBTIQ awareness to the students, teachers, employees & managers. The aim is to make these spaces safe, supportive & inclusive for everyone.
Pride Month with Icertis - June 2025, Pune
Team Yutak was invited to Icertis Pune on 30th June 2026 for a special Pride Month interaction.
We’re so grateful to Sulekha Thakkar, Chitra Sapkal & Shwetambari Salgar for inviting us for the 3rd year in a row. This is what long-term allyship looks like! 
Anil Ukarande spoke about Yutak’s work on the ground and the impact we’re creating together.
Vaidehi Warhade & Nikhileshwari shared their journeys as trans women and why inclusive spaces at work matter so much.
Big shoutout to volunteers Gauravi & Shubhangi who joined us too. 
Thank you Icertis for listening, learning, and standing with the LGBTQ community. Here’s to more conversations that create change!
Bhartiya Jain Sanghatana College - March 2025, Pune
Summary
- Date: 13 March, 2025
- Participants: 95
We had the privilege of conducting a gender sensitization and LGBTIQ awareness session at the prestigious Bhartiya Jain Sanghatana College (@bjs_college) in Wagholi, Pune. Over 95 students attended the session. We are grateful to Dr. Sanjay Gaikwad (Principal), Dr. Madhuri Deshmukh, and Prof. Monika Jain for inviting us and providing us with this opportunity.
Vaidehi Warhade, a working transgender individual, and Anil Ukarande, addressed the fundamentals and concerns surrounding the LGBTIQ community.
39th Tarunai Shibir - Feb 2025, Buldhana
Summary
- Date: February, 2025
- Participants: 60
We are thankful to @teamtarunaai for giving us an opportunity to reach young doctors, pharma students, lawyers, politicians and social workers across Maharashtra. Almost 60 youth participants were attending an interactive sensitisation session with our founder @undga_anil. This camp was situated in Buldhana district.
From team Yutak, @y.s.b_111 and @maibhi_musafir shared their life journey of being gay and transman. Both of them did a wonderful job by answering questions from the participants.
Tarunai is a youth-led initiative which aims to build an inclusive and safe society for all human beings.
38th Tarunai Shibir - Dec 2024, Pandharpur
Summary
- Date: 31 December, 2024
- Participants: 53
Our team Yutak successfully conducted an LGBTIQ awareness session at the 38th Team Tarunai Camp’s “Aaina Dekho” initiative! held in Pandharpur @ Palawi Project.
Our interactive session aimed to educate and sensitise young minds about the LGBTIQ community, promoting inclusivity and acceptance. A total of 53 campers were present at the Tarunai Camp. The camp comprised of young doctors, students, counsellors and social workers from Vidharbha, Marathwada and Western Maharashtra.
Thank you, Team Tarunaai, for the opportunity to collaborate and make a positive impact!
LGBTIQ Befriender Workshop - September 2024, Pune
Summary
- Date: 22nd September, 2024 (One day)
- Venue: Hotel Madhav International, Pune
- Participants: 20
The LGBTIQ Befriender Workshop aimed to educate and empower participants on crucial topics related to sexual orientation, gender identity, mental health, and legal rights within the LGBTIQ community. The workshop was sponsored by the Humsafar Trust, Transcend, Bindu Queer Rights Foundation, and STAPI.
Objectives
The objective of the workshop is to train young leaders from the LGBTIQ community to provide support and help to those in need. To empower more LGBTIQ individuals to become befrienders, and create a safer, more supportive environment for the LGBTIQ community in Pune.
Topics and resource persons
- Anil Ukarande, this session provided foundational knowledge on sex, gender identity, and sexuality, setting the stage for deeper discussions.
- Rujuta Deshmankar (Clinical Psychologist/RCI Reg.) conducted this important session on peer counselling techniques and mental health support, emphasizing empathy, ethics and active listening skills.
- Adv. Bindumadhav Khire addressed legal issues faced by the LGBTIQ community, providing insights into effective crisis management and support strategies.
- Dr. Kanchan Pawar led a detailed session on HIV/STI care, discussing prevention, treatment, and the importance of support networks.
Conclusion
The LGBTIQ Befriender Workshop was a resounding success, creating collaborative environment for learning and support. Participants left equipped with valuable skills and knowledge to better serve the LGBTIQ community, promoting awareness and advocacy. The feedback received was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing gratitude for the insightful sessions and the opportunity to connect with like-minded queer individuals.
Acknowledgments
A special thank you to our sponsors: Humsafar Trust and it’s Transcend initiative, Bindu Queer Rights Foundation, and STAPI, as well as all speakers, participants, volunteers and board members of Yutak for their contributions and dedication to making this workshop impactful and successful.
LGBT Human Library - June 2024, Pune
Summary
- Date: 27 June, 2024
- Venue: Kharadi IT Park
Celebrating Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) at the LGBT Human Library event in Kharadi IT Park. Our team members shared their experiences with the team. We really enjoyed the moment.
Thanks to Yutak’s team members Pravin, Harshada, Sammy and Anil.
Awareness session with Mahindra Logistic at Chakan MIDC
Lectures at Various Colleges
Gender, sexuality, sexual orientation sensitization lectures at various colleges
Lectures at Various Corporate Companies
Gender, sexuality, sexual orientation sensitization lectures at various corporate companies
