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{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2017}}
'''Queerala''', a registered community based Organisation (CBO) for Malayali LGBTIQ people,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/a-get-together-of-families-of-lgbt-people/article19225105.ece|title=A get-together of families of LGBT people|date=2017-07-06|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-06-15|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> gives adequate support to Malayali persons who belong to the sexual and gender minorities. Queerala originally started in May 2013 as a secret Facebook page where closeted LGBTQAI+ community members met over the internet.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://viakochi.com/via-kochi/the-rainbow-nest/|title=The Rainbow Nest – Via Kochi|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-15|archive-date=27 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327075522/http://viakochi.com/via-kochi/the-rainbow-nest/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Since its start of operations, Queerala has been an active platform for the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/Rainbow-out-in-the-sky/2013/09/11/article1778139.ece |title=Rainbow out in the sky |newspaper=[[The New Indian Express]] |date=2013-09-11 |access-date=2017-06-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/why-cbfc-refused-to-certify-malayalam-film-ka-bodyscapes/articleshow/53578798.cms|title=Why CBFC refused to certify Malayalam film 'Ka Bodyscapes'|first=Charmy|last=Harikrishnan|date=7 August 2016|website=Economictimes.indiatimes.com|access-date=19 June 2017|via=The Economic Times}}</ref> in Kerala and India and focuses on various awareness campaigns on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity/Expression and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC). Queerala's representatives has been marking its presence, in areas of literature, art, cultural spaces, academic discourses as well, besides conducting case studies on issues pertaining to sexual orientation and gender identity.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kahmunityenglish.in/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/POWER-Paper-Presentations-Schedule.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2016-08-16 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012114417/http://www.kahmunityenglish.in/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/POWER-Paper-Presentations-Schedule.pdf |archive-date=12 October 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> They also focus on sensitisation on SOGIESC inclusive healthcare services, educational curriculum, workplace policies and local self governance.

== Major Operations<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.edexlive.com/people/2018/mar/28/heres-how-queerala-is-slowly-becoming-the-most-important-space-for-lgbtq-individuals-2352.html|title=Here's how Queerala is slowly becoming the most important space for LGBTIQ+ individuals|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=2019-03-08}}</ref> ==

=== Legal Support ===
Queerala, with its association with Human Rights Friendly lawyers, support LGBTIQ persons who seek legal aid for various human rights concerns.

=== Peer Counselling and Helpline ===
Queerala's helpline is operational and aids queer persons to get connected with peer persons, counselors, psychiatrists etc. Queerala has helped start multiple LGBTQAI+ support groups in colleges. By 2018, two such recognised student groups were set up:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.edexlive.com/people/2018/mar/28/heres-how-queerala-is-slowly-becoming-the-most-important-space-for-lgbtq-individuals-2352.html|title=Here's how Queerala is slowly becoming the most important space for LGBTIQ+ individuals|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=2019-06-15}}</ref>

1) Umeed in IIM Kozhikode

2) Coming Out Club in the Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod.

Queerala Helpline : +91 7012503861<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://queerala.org/ |title=QueerALA |website=queerala.org |language=en-US |access-date=2019-06-15}}</ref>

==== Case Studies and Research ====
Queerala encourages and support research enthusiasts, who follow ethical practices of research methodology, to take up qualitative studies pertaining to LGBTIQ lives

==== Engagement with Faith Groups ====
Considering the challenges faced<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/After-years-Maya-prayed-in-a-church/articleshow/53794427.cms|title=After years, Maya prayed in a church - Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=2019-03-08}}</ref> by most LGBTIQ persons from the faith and sexuality, Queerala engages with various faith based collectives like NCCI (Nation Council of Churches in India) for dialogues on Inclusive Churches,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://queerala.org/asian-consultation-on-church-responses-to-human-sexuality-and-gender-minorities/|title=Church Responses to Sexuality – Consultation|last=Kuriakose|first=Jijo|date=2017-02-11|website=Queerala.org|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-08}}</ref> Faith versus Sexuality etc.

== Projects ==

=== Wiki Loves Pride: LGBT Edit-a-thon ===
A one-day program<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/wikipedia-to-hold-editathon-on-lgbt-issues-in-kochi/article6606781.ece|title=Wikipedia to hold edit-a-thon on LGBT issues in Kochi|author=Staff Reporter|date=2014-11-17|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-03-08|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> organised in collaboration with Wikimedia India Chapter, the edit-at-hon enabled its participants<ref>{{Diff|en:Wikipedia:Meetup/Kerala/Wiki_Loves_Pride_Workshop,_Kochi|diff=|oldid=642354846|label=en:Wikipedia:Meetup/Kerala/Wiki_Loves_Pride_Workshop,_Kochi, oldid 642354846}}{{Circular reference|date=May 2022}}</ref> to include LGBT related articles and terminologies to Wikipedia, both in Malayalam and English.

=== Homomorphism<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/exploring-the-many-hues-of-homosexuality/article7910913.ece|title=Exploring the many hues of homosexuality|date=2015-11-24|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-03-08|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> ===

==== Homomorphism I ====
Homomorphism is an art attempt by team Queerala to bring the less depicted notions of same-sex intimacy. The first edition of homomorphism hada round 70 art works by 5 Malayali Queer artists

==== Homomorphism II ====
Homomorphism II<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/magazine/885835/as-supreme-court-decides-on-section-377-an-exhibition-helps-audiences-understand-same-sex-intimacy|title=As India's top court decides on Section 377, Kochi art show helps understand same-sex intimacy|last=Ameerudheen|first=T. A.|website=Scroll.in|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-08}}</ref> was, a follow-up to the first edition of the art project by Queerala, and the second edition focused on same-sex desire and the social positions associated with same-sex lovers. Held at Kerala Museum Homomorphsim II had 7 participating artists.

=== Quest 2016 ===
Quest 2016<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://queerala.org/quest/|title=Quest 2016|website=Quest 2016|date=16 December 2016 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-08}}</ref> was a Two Day National Seminar, held at Center for Development Studies, Trivandrum. The seminar had dialogues<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/Seminar-flags-off-dialogue-on-queer-issues/article16895172.ece|title=Seminar flags off dialogue on queer issues|author=Staff Reporter|date=2016-12-17|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-03-08|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> on Queer lives and paper presentations by researchers from across India

=== Q-Loid 2019 ===
Q-Loid was a One Day LGBTIQ Film Festival organized by Queerala in July, 2019. Along with queer-themed film screenings, the event also had panel discussions on related topics. The festival venue was Kerala Museum, Kochi.

==Etymology==
Queerala gets its name from [[Queer]] + [[Kerala]]. The community emphasises on creating awareness<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/A-Gathering-with-Much-Difference/2014/09/01/article2408172.ece |title=A Gathering with Much Difference |newspaper=[[The New Indian Express]] |date=2014-09-01 |access-date=2017-06-23}}</ref> in society regarding LGBTIQ issues, with focus on queer lives in Kerala.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{commons category-inline|Queerala}}

[[Category:LGBT organisations in India|LGBTQ]]
[[Category:Pride parades in India]]
[[Category:2013 establishments in Kerala]]

Queerala - Revision history

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article