Inviting all for celebrating The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on May 17th at 6:30pm onwards to events that raise awareness of LGBT rights and fight its violations.
May 17 was the date a decision was taken to remove homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1990.
The Public Affairs Section is organizing the event, in association with Lamakaan, to commemorate the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia. Each of the four allies/supporters of the LGBT community will speak about the role played by an individual with a different sexual orientation in shaping their professional lives. The ally, through his/her remarks, will highlight how his/her closest LGBT mentor/colleague has made a difference to her workplace. While Dr. Anant Maringanti will be moderating the event, Prof. Prakash Kona will speak on the role which Prof. Hoshang Merchant played in shaping his career. Prof. Hoshang Merchant earned his doctoral degree in modern English literature from Purdue University and taught at the University of Hyderabad for over 30 years. Prof. Hoshang, one of the first Indians to come out as gay, is an acclaimed poet. Dr. Anant will speak about his much younger colleague Dr. Gautam Bhan, who earned his doctoral degree in urban planning from the University of California, Berkley. Gautam is a renowned urban planner in India and a prominent spokesperson of the LGBT community in India. Ms. Atluri Siri will speak for her client Rachana. Rachana worked as a senior consultant with several international organizations. She is the spokesperson for the transgender community in Telangana. Ms. Tejaswini will speak about her friend Pritwinder Kaur. Ms. Kaur has a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s degree in hospitality management. She is currently working as a business development manager at the Annapurna International Film School. eFinally Kuppili Padma, a renownd Telugu writer will read a moving story involving two lesbians from her book.
Through this activity, the allies will drive home the message that professionals with a different sexual orientation are as talented, empathetic, intelligent, and diligent as anybody else. The allies will stress the fact that these individuals, if given the opportunity, can make awesome colleagues and inspiring mentors. The aim of the event is to dispel notions which lead to homophobia, and to create an environment where LGBT individuals are hired without discrimination.
Prof. Dr. Prakash Kona: Professor, School of English Literary Studies, English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad. Prof. Prakash Kona earned his doctoral degree in English literature from the University of Mississippi and a master’s degree in literature from the University of Hyderabad. Prakash taught at the University of Cypress and is a published author. He is the Proctor of the English and Foreign Languages University.
Ms. Tejaswini Madabhushi: Visiting Faculty at the International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad. Ms. Tejaswini Madabhushi earned a master’s degree in sociology from the University of Hyderabad, and a master’s degree in peace and conflict resolution from George Mason University, Virginia. She is a development consultant with several not for profit organizations in Hyderabad and is a prominent supporter of various civil rights movement in the city.
Ms. Satyasiri Alturi: Advocate High Court of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Ms. Satyasiri Atluri completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in law from the NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad. She is currently practicing law at the High Court of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. She is a prominent supporter of LGBT community in the city.
Mr. Michael Mullins: Consular General, The United States Consulate General, Hyderabad. Mr. Michael Mullins, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of Minister Counselor, assumed the post of Consul General of the U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad on September 7, 2013. Prior to his posting in Hyderabad, Mr. Mullins served at the U.S. Missions in New Delhi, El Salvador, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Indonesia. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in French Literature and Fine Arts (Amherst College, Massachusetts) and a Master of Arts in French Literature (Brown University in Rhode Island). Twice awarded scholarships from the Government of France, Mr. Mullins also studied at L’Ecole Nationale de Beaux-Arts and L’Universite de Paris. He enjoys studio art, reading, music and golf. He is fluent in French and has conversational abilities in several other languages.
Mr. Gabriel Hons-Olivier: Public Affairs Officer, The United States Consulate General, Hyderabad. Gabriel Hons-Olivier is the Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Consulate General, Hyderabad. He is a career member of the U.S. Foreign Service. Prior to serving in India, Gabriel served as the Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Lilongwe, Malawi, where he was instrumental in promoting youth leadership and empowerment, particularly through President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative. In 2012, Gabriel was the Outreach Director for the U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative. In that position, he advanced American efforts to engage with the Arab world through outreach with Arab populations of the region, focusing on U.S. efforts to provide humanitarian assistance. He has also served U.S. missions in Iraq, Angola, Guyana and Libya. Gabriel received a master’s degree in International Management from the American Graduate School of International Management, in Arizona. He speaks French and Portuguese, and has studied German and Russian.
All are welcome to this evening.