We’re elated to share this inspiring and empowering news with you today as #PrideMonth kicks in! Stories can change the world – from creating awareness to impacting behaviours. And Dr Aqsa and Jeet are a testament to this fact! Thank you, both, for continuing to speak up, telling your stories and talking about issues that matter to you – undeterred and relentlessly. You can access the full module here.
Dr Aqsa’s article on YKA
Dr Aqsa Shaikh’s article was quoted under the section ‘Discrimination and Need for Sensitisation‘ in the conversation around public violence. Follow Dr Aqsa Shaikh on YKA to read more of her work.
On this achievement, Dr Aqsa says:
“The recent brutal murder of a minor girl at the Shahbad Dairy area in Delhi has sent shivers down the city’s spine and highlighted our insensitivity. I had written about a similar ghastly murder of a Transgender woman in this story in YKA. This article has been used in The Supreme Court of India’s Manual on Sensitization for Judiciary towards the LGBTQIA+ community. I hope these stories of trauma and the survival of transgender persons made through a community-driven medium like YKA will help sensitize our judiciary and society in general. This is a small but forward step towards achieving a right to dignified life by transgender persons.”
Jeet’s article on YKA
Jeet’s article was quoted under the section ‘Discrimination and Need for Sensitisation‘ in the handbook, in the conversation around healthcare and conversion therapy. Follow Jeet on YKA to read more of his work.
On this achievement, Jeet says:
“When I found out that an article that I wrote on YKA was referenced in an LGBTQIA+ sensitisation module designed by the Supreme Court, I did not believe it until I saw it with my own eyes. In the past, I received comments from readers on Facebook on my YKA articles saying, “Don’t bother. It’s not a legit news article”. The dismissal was inaccurate and painful. Thousands of writers, such as myself, who do not have access to mainstream media platforms, use YKA to share their findings and voice their opinions on serious issues — issues that are often ignored by the masses. Supreme Court’s reference offers the legitimacy that YKA writers deserve.”
It fills our hearts with immense joy and pride to see their voices and articles making it to the module. It’s a great example of how storytelling and speaking up can create change. Share this news with your friends, peers and family and drop in a message to Dr Aqsa and Jeet in the comments below! 🙂