Mumbai: Students start LGBTQIA+ support and awareness group at school

Members of the Rainbow Club at the ‘Wear Purple Day to show support to LBBTQIA + community,’ event

The Aditya Birla World Academy (ABWA) has set an example for schools, taking a significant stride to be an LGBTQIA+ affirmative school. The school recently formed an LGBTQIA+ support and awareness group called - The Rainbow Club. The club, which is being run for students by students with guidance from teachers, will work towards fostering an inclusive environment for LGBTQIA+ students by raising awareness and addressing the stigma faced by the community.

While the school's stand paves the way to this sensitive topic for other schools in the city; students of ABWA have set an example by endorsing the need for such an initiative. It was the students who felt that it had become more crucial than ever to build a gender-sensitive society, and create an inclusive environment so that coming generations will have a more solid possibility of living up to the ideals of equality.

Students' body instrumental

"This is something that came from the students' body and we realised it was the need of the hour," said Aachal Jain, Pastoral Care Coordinator, ABWA. While the new initiative will currently work with students of the secondary section that is stds VI to XII; with time, the school plans to extend the parameters. In fact, with social media activities, the idea is to also provide a similar safe space for students from other schools.

Aishani Chowdhury, a student, ABWA and Anika Khanna, a student, ABWA

"There have been some reservations but the parent body has been more supportive in nature. After all, this is a very important aspect considering the mental well-being of children. We are required to provide a safe space for children for their social and emotional development as individuals. This is why when some students ideated the concept it was taken up," said Jain.

While the idea was discussed with parents last year, the club has come into the picture this year. At ABWA, there are few students who have come out to some staff members. "We founded the Rainbow Club to create a network of LGBTQIA+ students and allies at ABWA so that LGBTQIA+ students in need of support have a safe space amongst their peers. Through our initiative, we aim to raise awareness, develop a safe space for inclusivity and abolish the social stigma that is present," said Aishani Chowdhury, a student at ABWA who is one of the founders of the club. Adding to this, another founder student member, Anika Khanna, said, "Our mission through the Rainbow Club is to help combat the alienation and uncertainty among young LGBTQIA+ people by providing them with a safe and inclusive community. This helps them understand that they are not alone and that there are others who have had similar experiences and whom they can reach out to. Also they can take pride in their identities."

Focus on parents, teachers and students

Elaborating on this further, Jain said, "The club will focus on all stakeholders - students, teachers, as well as parents. The student body will conduct a teacher and parent workshop where questions such as ‘how do you respond when your child, his/her peer comes out', will be addressed. The point of peers becomes very important here, as there could be instances where a parent tells his/her child not to speak to a child who has come out."

Some activities such as rainbow dress days when students wear any colour they want, or ‘wear purple day to show support to LBBTQIA+ community', have been held. Other activities expected are panel discussions, teachers and parents interactions and showcase of movies where challenges faced by the community are highlighted.