In 1986, Ifti Nasim and Viru Joshi co-founded Sangat at a time when only a handful of South Asian LGBTQ+ individuals were openly living their lives. The pervasive queerphobia and frequent hate crimes across the country posed significant risks, making visibility dangerous. Although Chicago boasted numerous gay bars and clubs, these spaces were predominantly white and often unwelcoming to South Asians. Nevertheless, Nasim and Viru took a leap of faith and decided to create a community, making their organization the first LGBTQ+ group for South Asians in the city,
The exhibition will be on view in the South Asia Institute’s Third Floor Gallery from June 20 through July 20. Admission to the Second Floor Gallery is included with a ticket to the current exhibition.
