SALGA NYC
SALGA NYC is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to improving the awareness and acceptance of LGBTQ people of South Asian origin in the New York City metropolitan area. The organization concentrates on providing cultural visibility for community members and opposing oppression and discrimination in the LGBTQ, South Asian, and intersectional communities. This includes leadership development, multi-generational support, immigration advocacy, mental health and HIV/AIDS activism, and political involvement.
History
SALGA NYC was founded in 1991, with the name replacing an earlier version of the group, the South Asian Gay Association.In 1995, SALGA NYC was awarded the Community Service Award from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the Community Leadership Award from Queens Pride, Inc. in 2015.
Programming
SALGA NYC's primary concerns are of providing support and visibility to a marginalized community. It has continually hosted a monthly support group since 1991 for those who self-identify as queer and South Asian, alongside community activities such as drag brunches, book readings, holiday celebrations, social hours, cultural programming and political organizing.In addition to this regular program of events, SALGA NYC hosts informal community events and collaborates with similarly oriented community organizations in the NYC area. Past collaborations include health workshops with Apicha Community Health Center, the annual Color Me Queer post-pride party held with the Audre Lord Project and other LGBTQ People of Color community groups, and organizing with other South Asian groups such as Sakhi for South Asian Women and the South Asian Women's Creative Collective.
SALGA has also created a space for LGBTQ South Asian youth through its Youth Group. Members within SALGA formed a Book Club, which has hosted authors such as Ruth Vanita, Rakesh Satyal, and Vivek Shraya. SALGA also a regular dance team which performs in many venues including New York City Pride March, the Queens Museum, and Flushing Town Hall.