QMeets
QMeets are monthly support group meetings organised by Yutak. It is a platform to share experiences, discuss challenges, and receive support. It increases awareness on community safety, in both real & digital world.
There are fun interactive activities that help to break the ice, and foster a sense of warmth and belonging. The meets balance serious discussions with fun, helping everyone experience a safe and joyous queer space.
May 2025
Summary
- Date: 18 May 2025
- Venue: Sambhaji Raje Garden, Deccan
- Time: 6:30 PM to 8PM
- Participants: 46
Yutak Trust conducted the May edition of QMeet which focused on upcoming Pride-related events, opportunities for community participation, and initiatives for empowerment.
Key Highlights
1. Annual Pune Pride March Announcement: Anil and the YUTAK team officially announced the date for the Annual Pune Pride March, scheduled to take place on 8th June 2025. Participants were encouraged to actively engage and spread the word within their networks.
2. Pre-Pride Performance Event: Details were shared about the upcoming Pre-Pride evening — an event dedicated to performances and showcasing talent. Attendees were invited to register and contribute through dance, music, spoken word, or any other artistic form.
3. Financial Support for Skill-Building Courses: Anil also shared information about available financial support for queer individuals interested in joining skill-building courses. The initiative aims to support community members in building sustainable livelihoods and accessing new opportunities.
4. Open Discussion on Awareness and Community Growth: Participants took the opportunity to express their thoughts, share feedback, and suggest ideas on raising awareness and improving the well-being of the queer community.
5. Sagar brought sweets and toffees for everyone, adding warmth and joy to the evening.
Outcomes
- Community informed and mobilized for Pride 2025.
- Encouraged queer artistic expression and participation.
- Promoted access to learning and skill development.
April 2025
Summary
- Date: 20 April 2025
- Venue: Sambhaji Raje Garden, Deccan
- Time: 6:30 PM onwards
- Participants: 65
Yutak Trust conducted the April edition of QMeet with a total of 65 participants. The session focused on digital safety, community knowledge-sharing, and early planning for the upcoming Pune Pride.
Key Highlights
1. Cyber Security Session: The session began with an informative talk by Rohit Yeligari and his colleague Preeti on cyber security. They discussed common traps used by cybercriminals to target individuals, particularly from the queer community, and shared preventive measures to avoid falling into such traps.
2. Interactive Activity on Social Media: To reinforce the learnings, an activity based on social media terminology was conducted. The format was similar to Dumb Charades, where participants guessed online-related words through gestures. The activity aimed to make the topic more relatable and engaging.
3. Pune Pride 2025 Planning: Mayur and Vaidehi provided an update on the 13th Pune Pride March. They invited community members to contribute through volunteering and idea-sharing for the event’s planning and execution.
The meeting concluded with a collective singing of “Hum Honge Kamyab”, emphasizing unity and hope within the community.
A special thanks to Sagar for distributing sweets and candies to all participants, adding a sweet touch to the evening.
Outcomes
- Increased awareness on cyber security issues.
- Engagement through interactive learning.
- Initiation of volunteer involvement for Pune Pride 2025.
The April QMeet continued to uphold Yutak’s mission of fostering safe, inclusive, and informative spaces for the queer people.
March 2025
Summary
- Date: 16 March 2025
- Participants: 52
Today on 16 March 2025, Yutak Trust organized a special Holi edition of its monthly support group meeting, QMeet, which saw the gathering of 52 participants. The meet was a wonderful blend of serious discussions around community safety and fun interactive activities themed around Holi, celebrating the spirit of togetherness and colors.
Key Highlights
1. Community Message on Extortion Cases
The session began with individual introductions, allowing everyone to feel comfortable and welcomed. Anil and Vaidehi addressed a crucial issue — the alarming rise in money extortion cases in Pune targeting queer individuals.
They emphasized how, along with rising cases, there has also been a significant rise in people raising their voices and seeking help through Yutak. Anil shared that Yutak has been actively helping individuals take legal action, including filing FIRs and reaching out to police authorities.
They also explained that the collaboration between the survivor (victim) and the police is key to tackling these cases effectively. Anil cited a recent success story where, through Yutak’s support, the survivor was able to identify the perpetrators, showcasing the importance of timely support and community action.
2. Holi-Themed Group Activity
To celebrate Holi, participants were divided into groups of 4 or more. Each group was assigned a color (from options like Queer Flag colors, White, Black, Pink, Grey). The groups were then asked to reflect on what that color means to them, personally or in the context of their queer identities and experiences.
This activity turned into a beautiful sharing circle, where groups presented creative and thoughtful reflections, making the space vibrant with emotions and colors. The event concluded on a joyful note of ‘Bura na Maano Holi Hai’, with some participants playing Holi in its true spirit, adding more color to the evening.
Thank you Nutri Chef Chaitanya.
Outcomes
- Increased Awareness on Community Safety: Participants became more informed about the ongoing extortion cases and ways to seek help and legal support through YUTAK.
- Strengthened Sense of Belonging: Through open sharing and group activities, participants felt a deeper sense of connection and solidarity.
- Creative Engagement & Expression: The Holi-themed color activity encouraged participants to reflect on their identities in unique and creative ways, fostering self-expression.
- Celebration of Queer Joy: The meet beautifully balanced serious discussions with fun, helping everyone experience a safe and joyous queer space.
February 2025
Summary
- Date: 16 February 2025
- Venue: Sambhaji Raje Garden, Deccan
- Time: 6:30 pm onwards
- Participants: 62
On 16 February 2025, Yutak Trust organized its monthly support group meeting ‘QMeets’ at Sambhaji Raje Garden, Deccan. Time was 6:30 pm onwards. The meeting was attended by a diverse group, including allies the total numbers of the participants were 62.
Key Highlights
1. The monthly support group meeting celebrated Valentine’s Day, emphasizing inclusivity, love, and self-expression in a safe and welcoming environment.
2. A special activity was conducted where participants anonymously wrote positive compliments and heartfelt messages to people they admired or wished to start a conversation with. This activity promoted appreciation, open communication, and emotional expression.
3. The meeting saw active participation, with attendees exchanging sweets and roses as gestures of love and friendship, fostering a sense of warmth and belonging.
Outcomes
- Encouraged self-expression and strengthened interpersonal connections within the community.
- Fostered a supportive atmosphere where participants could celebrate love in all its forms.
- Strengthened bonds between attendees, including allies, reinforcing a sense of community and acceptance.
January 2025
Summary
- Date: 19 January 2025
- Participants: 67
On 19 January 2025, Yutak Trust successfully conducted its monthly support group meeting QMeet, which witnessed an increased participation of LBT members this time. A total number of 67 participants attended the meeting. The meeting was a blend of personal experiences, interactive activities, and helpful discussions, aimed at fostering awareness, safety within the community.
Key Highlights
1. Experience Sharing
One participant shared their journey of connecting with YUTAK and how it played an important role in their personal growth and sense of belonging.
Another participant narrated how YUTAK supported them in initiating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices at their workplace, highlighting the trust’s impact in corporate spaces.
2. Group Activities
Participants were divided into four teams to brainstorm and present their views on critical topics relevant to the queer community. The topics included:
- Rising Extortion Cases: Discussion centered on ways to stay alert, handle such situations, identify sources of support, and measures to safeguard oneself.
- Safety on Dating Apps: Teams shared ideas on approaching people safely, understanding red flags, and ensuring a safe and secure dating experience.
- Positives of Queer Dating: The teams reflected on the uplifting aspects of queer dating, sharing experiences that celebrate love and connection within the community.
Outcomes
- Awareness: Enhanced understanding among participants about handling extortion cases, identifying safe practices, and providing community support.
- Safety Measures: Increased awareness of safety protocols and measures and respectful behaviour while using dating apps.
- Community Growth: The rise in LBT members this time highlights the YUTAK’s expanding reach and inclusiveness.
November 2024
Summary
- Date: 17 November 2024
- Venue: Sambhaji Raje Garden, Deccan
- Time: 6:30 pm onwards
- Participants: 43
Key Highlights
1. The monthly support group meeting focused on Asexuality and Aromanticism, aiming to create awareness, understanding, and inclusivity. The discussion explored the spectrum of asexuality and aromanticism, debunking common misconceptions.
2. An intersex individual, Harshada, shared their poignant experience of self-discovery, family acceptance, and societal challenges.
3. Group activity: Interactive games and exercises, facilitated by Swapnil Chavan, encouraged empathy, understanding, and bonding among participants.
Outcomes
- Enhanced understanding of asexuality and aromanticism among participants.
- Strengthened sense of community and belonging.
- Increased empathy and support for diverse identities.
Gratitude
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to:
- Swapnil Chavan for facilitating engaging activities.
- Harshada for sharing their inspiring story.
- All participants for their active engagement.
- Anup for generously providing tea for all participants, making our tea time truly enjoyable.
Thank you to everyone who made this meeting a success!
October 2024
Summary
- Date: 20 October 2024
- Participants: 57
This month’s focus: On 20 October, 2024 we aim to address increasing atrocity against the LGBT community in Pune and introducing Befrienders.
Activities
- Introduction round
- Personal sharing and experiences
- Discussion on increasing atrocity against LGBT community in Pune
- Befrienders introduction and orientation
Key points discussed
- Participants shared concerns about rising violence and harassment against LGBT individuals in Pune.
- Befrienders representatives explained their services, including counselling, support hotlines, and crisis intervention.
September 2024
Summary
- Date: 15 September 2024
- Participants: 38
On 15 September 2024, we organised our monthly support group meeting QMeets. To create a supportive and safe environment for the LGBTIQ community, we discussed the topic of suicide prevention and encouraged help seeking behaviour. The team Connecting NGO – Anuja Patil (Outreach & Awareness coordinator) & Suhasini Ravindrnath (Volunteer) – conducted activities and delivered information on suicide prevention. Our team and all 38 participants are thankful to both of them.
August 2024
Summary
- Date: 18 August 2024
- Participants: 14
Queers in the rain
Per precedent, we met on the third Sunday of the month. A total of 14 people came to attend the monthly support group meeting on 18 August, 2024.
June 2024
Summary
- Date: 16 June 2024
- Location: Sambhaji Raje Garden, Deccan, Pune
- Participants: 68
Today 16 June 2024, Yutak organised Monthly LGBT Support Group Meeting called QMeets at Sambhaji Raje Garden, Deccan, Pune. The meeting was held successfully, focusing on the feedback about the recent Pune’s LGBT Pride walk 2024. This meeting saw a remarkable turnout with a total of 68 participants. A total of 8 new faces joined us for the meeting.
Key Highlights
1. Welcome and Introduction: The meeting commenced with a warm welcome from @mayur.patare on behalf of Yutak, @runanubandhalgbtqia and then everyone introduced themselves.
2. Interactive Activities: The meeting included interactive activities such discussions and experience sharing. These activities aimed to educate participants on effective ways to stand against discrimination and support one another.
3. Discussion on Inclusive workplace: In the light of Pride month we discussed the need and objective of LGBT inclusive workplaces.
The meeting ended on a powerful and uplifting note with the group singing “Hum Honge Kamyaab, ekdin” (“We Shall Overcome”).
Thanks to everyone who joined us.
QMeets across Various Cities
