Kalki Subramaniam creates history by being the first Lgbt activist from India to speak at four Ivy League Univerisities all in October 2022.

Kalki spoke at Harvard, Yale, Cornell and Upenn. She also spoke at Rutgers University in New Brunswick. She was invited to the USA by the renowned Lgbtqi organization Out & Equal to speak at Work Summit to speak on 'The Art of being Queer - A lens for Inclusion'.

The activist is a multi-faceted personality who writes, paints and acts all on queer life and movement in India. She also runs the Sahodari Foundation which has remained a forefront organization in innovative activism in India on transgender rights. 

This is the second time Harvard has invited the activist to speak. Earlier she spoke at the India Conference in 2017.

"I spoke about how art as a powerful medium to tell the stories of marginalised communities can help us seek justice. I also spoke about my life, activism, art and writings the queer movement in India, the victories we have acheived and the way forward".

"Every time I visit the US, I learn and get inspired so much", the activist expresses with excitement.

She also gifted her artwork to the India Caucus in Harvard. "I was immensely happy to gift my caricature style mythological themed artwork of Aravan and Mohini. I enjoyed creating the artwork. I hope it finds a wall in Harvard" she quips.

What next?

"Action speaks rather than words. I am much inspired by plays like 'Vagina Monologues' and 'Trans Vagina Diaries' and wanted to create something similar but original and powerful with Indian context. Through this work I want to remember all those trans people who lost their lives unable to cope." says Kalki.

October is observed as Transgender History Month in the US and 18th of November is observed as the Transgender Day of Remembrance. A day to remember those from the transgender community who lost their lives in discrimination, violence, suicide or murder.

Contact Kalki Subramaniam on Instagram @queenkalki. Website www.kalkisubramaniam.com.