Are you a member of the AFAB Queer & Intersex community? This includes trans men, partners of trans men, queer women, lesbian women, and bisexual women. If you're going through a difficult time, know you're not alone. Raahi has proudly opened Karnataka's very first shelter home, "A Safe Home," dedicated to providing support for the AFAB Queer community. We warmly invite you to reach out to us—
we're here to help you in any way we can.
Your well-being matters to us.
Please fill out the application for shelter home assistance.
Behold the Inspiring Photos and Videos from the Grand Inauguration of Karnataka's First Shelter Home
who we are
Raahi is a Karnataka-based organisation that works on the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community, with a special focus on the issues and needs of trans men and partners of trans men, queer, lesbian and bisexual women, gender non-conforming and non-binary persons, and persons with intersex variations. The name “Raahi'' was chosen through a collective process to symbolise our role as co-travellers on the journey towards dignity.
Raahi is invested in strengthening education, training and sensitisation on gender and sexuality rights, building community theatre as a tool for critically engaging with the public and ongoing advocacy with the State and its agencies.
Our main areas of work are crisis intervention, advocacy and sensitisation, and capacity building. We run a helpline for emergency calls and provides pro bono legal aid and advice, short-term shelter, medical support (including mental health support) and referrals to service providers to members of the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly persons from vulnerable and marginalised backgrounds.
Upcoming Events
What We Do
Crisis Intervention
Our main area of work is providing pro bono support to trans men, partners of trans men, lesbian, bisexual and queer women, gender non-conforming and non-binary persons, and persons with intersex vairations, facing crisis. We understand that a crisis is any situation or circumstance that makes a person feel marginalised, threatened or vulnerable. Hence, our interventions are needs-based and can include legal aid and advice, mental health support, short-term shelter, referrals for medical support, and assistance with legally affirming one’s gender identity.
Helpline for Emergency Calls
Pro bono legal aid and advice
Short-term shelter
Referrals to queer affirmative medical support
ADVOCACY & SENSITISATION
Raahi is invested in sustained advocacy and sensitisation of government personnel and departments through regular meetings, engagement and networking. We work with the BBMP, DWCD, hospitals, educational institutions and the police, among others, to put forward the needs and experiences of the communities we support. We also help non-government agencies and entities through trainings and consultations related to LGBTQIA+ issues.
Meetings & trainings police, government departments, and public authorities
Consultations & trainings with other organisations and CBO's
Meetings with hospitals and mental health professionals
CAPACITY BUILDING FOR
COMMUNITY MEMBERS
We work towards making information about changing laws, policies and schemes pertaining to the LGBTQIA+ community easily available in multiple languages through trainings, workshops, consultations and publications. Our capacity building work is aimed at sharing essential information and tools that can equip community members to handle crises independently, stay up to date on changing legal protections and as an opportunity for us to stay connected with the community.
Legal awareness workshops
Community workshops on gender, sexuality and other relevant issues
Community trainings on emerging needs
Meet The Team
Astha Kalarikkal
( Suchithra KK )
She/Her
Executive Director
Astha Kalarikkal is a visionary co-founder and the current Executive Director of Raahi in Bangalore. Passionate about gender and sexuality, crisis intervention, and community theatre, she is dedicated to making a difference.
With a remarkable talent for languages, she empowers various community-based organisations in Bangalore and Kerala through her expertise in English and Malayalam translation and transcription. Her collaborative spirit shines as she joins forces with other movements for gender and sexuality in Kerala, striving for a more equitable society.
Sathyakala KK
She/Her
Finance Manager
Sathyakala K.K. holds a Bachelor of Science degree and has completed her Master’s in Sociology from Mahatma Gandhi University in Kerala. Additionally, she has earned a Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications.
Since 2010, Sathyakala has been actively engaged with the LGBTQI+ community in various roles and with different organisations. She has a strong passion for theatre and is an experienced performer. Furthermore, she is a co-founder and currently serves as the Finance Manager of Raahi in Bangalore.
Nathaan Madhavi
He/Him
Program Manager
Nathaan M holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Communication from the Kerala Media Academy (formerly known as the Kerala Press Academy) in Kochi, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Calicut.
He has five years of experience as a reporter, sub-editor, content writer, and freelance designer. Throughout his career, he has worked with several media organisations, including Kerala Vision, The Editor, and Suprabhaatham Daily, both as a reporter and an editor. Currently, Nathaan serves as a Program Manager at Raahi in Bangalore. Additionally, he was the PR/Social Media Manager and Designer at Sahayatrika in Thrissur, Kerala, and he is currently a board member of Sahayatrika.
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Ahana Mekhal
She/Her
Shelter Manager
Ahana Mekhal has been involved in Kerala’s queer movement since her teenage years. From 2016 to 2023, she worked with Sahayatrika, a pioneering organization for AFAB (Assigned Female at Birth) queer and trans individuals in Kerala. Throughout this time, she played a significant role in various movement initiatives, including Kerala’s pride marches and the Justice for Anannyah Action Council, a fact-finding initiative established to investigate the suicides of trans individuals in Kerala. Currently, she is serving as the Shelter Manager at Raahi.
Advik Manikandan
He/Him
Program Associate
Advik Manikandan is a dynamic professional with a diverse background and a wealth of experience. His expertise spans across different sectors due to his work experience in various industries. Beyond his professional endeavours, he is also a talented athlete, dancer, and tally expert. In his leisure time, he finds joy in music, gaming, and cinema. Currently, Advik lends his expertise as a Program Associate at Raahi in Bangalore.