Varta Trust

Gender and s*xuality dialogue through publishing, events, research, advocacy, training and referrals.

human rights. Varta Trust aims to publish multi-format and mutli-lingual publications for mass audiences as platforms for dialogue on gender and s*xuality. The “Varta” webzine (in a blog format till July 2016) is the first of these publications. Our publishing work is complemented by activities around awareness generation through public events, referrals to services, training, social research, and policy, legal, economic inclusion and media advocacy on gender and s*xuality. Currently, a group of 26 people from the fields of journalism, social work, social and biomedical research, human rights and law, health, academics, art, information technology, engineering, business, financial management and q***r community mobilization forms the larger Varta team. As a registered trust, Varta is led by a five-member Board of Trustees consisting of Pawan Dhall (Founding Trustee), Kaushik Gupta, Madhuja Nandi, Dr. Srabasti Majumdar and Susanta Pramanik. The first meeting of Varta was held on June 3, 2012 in Kolkata, and the “Varta” blog started on August 1, 2013. Varta was registered as a trust on May 14, 2014 with the ADSR Sealdah, District South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, with number IV - 00322 of 2014. We are also registered with the Income Tax Department with unique registration no. AABTV9002AE20211 under Sections 12AB and 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Email: [email protected]

Website (and webzine): www.vartagens*x.org

Blog address: http://varta2013.blogspot.in/

Blog and website editor: Pawan Dhall

Please also visit Q***r Friendly Lawyers Network - West Bengal Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/qfln.westbengal

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/

Telegram channel: t.me/vartatrust

Instagram account: www.instagram.com/vartatrust/

Varta Trust acknowledges the support provided by all its well wishers (individuals and organizations), whether moral, in terms of ideas, or in the form of resources – you know who you are. Credit for Varta logos used in profile and cover pictures: Rudra Kishore Mandal

08/07/2025

'Rituparno Ghosh: Seen, Unseen, and Known in My Own Way' - "Varta", Jul '25 issue - In Rituparno Ghosh and his cinematic work Tara Asgar finds a shared longing to become something beyond binaries
https://vartagens*x.org/2025/07/06/rituparno-ghosh-seen-unseen-and-known-in-my-own-way/

In Rituparno Ghosh and his cinematic work Tara Asgar finds a shared longing to become something beyond binaries…

03/07/2025

‘Kalbaisakhi and the Crow', Jun '25 'Vartanama' - Pawan Dhall on the views and viewpoints he has come across and dwelt on since he moved to a new residential address a year ago

Pawan Dhall on the views and viewpoints he has come across and dwelt on since he moved to a new residential address a year ago…

01/07/2025

28/06/2025

'The Oasis', "Varta", Jun '25 issue - Hima writes the second in a series of articles on the experience of the artists who participated in ‘Q***r Objects 1.0’ exhibition held in Guwahati in late 2023

https://vartagens*x.org/2025/06/27/the-oasis/

***robjects ***rart ***rLives ***rworldmaking ***rpride

Hima writes the second in a series of articles on the experience of the artists who participated in the ‘Q***r Objects 1.0’ exhibition held in Guwahati in late 2023…

23/06/2025

'On Q***r Self-determination (Part 1)' - "Varta", Jun '25 - An e-conversation series between mental health professionals Meera Dhebar and Aritra C. on q***r worldmaking across time periods and cultures
https://vartagens*x.org/2025/06/21/on-q***r-self-determination-part-1/

***rLives ***rworldmaking ***rmentalhealth

An e-conversation series between mental health professionals Meera Dhebar and Aritra C. on q***r worldmaking across time periods and cultures…

16/06/2025

"In the same way that parents can love their children equally, I don’t have a limited supply for my romantic partners. I also don’t experience jealousy. But I can feel insecure. I worry about being left for a monogamous relationship, which has happened previously. Last year, Laila was seeing a man she said was like me, which made me think she could get the same thing from someone better than me, younger than me."

Laila finds the 27-year age gap between her and Jeremy a turn-on. He says being in polyamorous relationships allows him to love different people in different ways

06/06/2025

JOB ALERT!

Job Summary:
We are seeking a compassionate and detail-oriented Customer Care Executive to be the first point of contact for individuals seeking mental health support under our mental health awareness campaign for 2025-26. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills, empathy, discretion, and a client-first mindset.

Key Responsibilities:
• Serve as the primary contact for client inquiries via phone, email, chat, or social media (leads generated from Meta or Google Ads).
• Provide accurate information about services, appointments, and mental health programmes.
• Book, confirm, and reschedule appointments using the internal CRM system.
• Handle sensitive conversations with empathy, shared confidentiality norms (based on client consent), and professionalism.
• Coordinate with therapists, psychologists, and internal teams to ensure smooth client service delivery.
• Escalate urgent or complex cases to appropriate clinical staff in consultation with internal team leads.
• Follow up with clients to ensure satisfaction and resolve outstanding issues.
• Maintain client records and call logs in compliance with privacy and data protection standards.
• Support outreach or feedback initiatives as needed.

Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Communications, or a related field (preferred but not mandatory).
• Prior experience in customer service or client-facing roles, ideally in healthcare or mental health settings.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written).
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and compassion.
• Proficiency in using CRM tools, appointment scheduling systems, and Microsoft Office/Google Workspace.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple tasks.
• The candidate should be willing to undergo training in basic mental health concepts and helpline counselling or attend refresher training if prior experience exists.

Desirable Skills:
• Empathetic, patient, and understanding nature.
• Active listening skills.
• Problem-solving ability and attention to detail.
• Multilingual skills (optional but a plus).

Working Hours:
10 am to 7 pm
Monday to Saturday
Work from office

Salary – Rs.15,000-20,000 per month

What We Offer:
• Supportive and inclusive work environment.
• Opportunities for training in mental health awareness and client interaction.

Please write in with your CV to [email protected] within June 20, 2025.

02/06/2025

'Pursuing Resilience, Embracing Hope' - "Varta", May '25 issue - Meghjit Sengupta reflects on an event centred around award-winning documentary ‘Amma’s Pride’, the story of transgender woman Srija whose marriage to Arunkumar, a cisgender man, in 2019 set a legal milestone for q***r people in India – with inputs from Pawan Dhall

Meghjit Sengupta reflects on an event centred around award-winning documentary ‘Amma’s Pride’, the story of transgender woman Srija whose marriage to Arunkumar, a cisgender man, in 2019 set a legal…

14/05/2025

'Storytelling through Zines' - "Varta", May '25 issue - Mekuriiko writes for the first in a series of articles on the experience of the artists who participated in ‘Q***r Objects 1.0’, a one-of-its-kind exhibition held in Guwahati in late 2023

Mekuriiko writes for the first in a series of articles on the experience of the artists who participated in ‘Q***r Objects 1.0’, a one-of-its-kind exhibition held in Guwahati in late 2023…

01/05/2025

"Zenia, ‘Item’ and the Future of the (Western) Q***r Dream" - "Varta", Apr '25 issue - Mihir Seth fears the dream of being oneself is crumbling as q***r and transgender rights face setbacks globally

Mihir Seth fears the dream of being oneself is crumbling as q***r and transgender rights face setbacks globally…

30/04/2025

Sharing this article in light of the UK Supreme Court ruling on trans rights: "The Imane Khelif boxing controversy shows that long history of gender testing in sports complicates categories like cis and trans."

The Imane Khelif boxing controversy shows that anti-trans ideology hurts all women.

24/04/2025

'Path to Pride, Kolkata – Amma’s Pride!'

Rammohan Library, Raya Debnath Memorial Hall

May 4, 2025, 2.30 pm onwards

Open to all, this event features a screening of the award-winning documentary ‘Amma’s Pride’ directed by Shiva Krish, followed by an interactive workshop facilitated by G-Stop exploring everyday biases, micro-aggressions, and how to show up as stronger allies in homes and communities.

Register now for the event here: www.tinyurl.com/AMMASPRIDEKOLKATA

Co-organized by G-Stop, Sappho for Equality, Sweekar - The Rainbow Parents, The Rainbow Room Kolkata, and Varta Trust.

Artwork courtesy: Amma’s Pride team

Address

Calcutta Ballygunge

Website

http://www.vartagensex.org/

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Our Story

Varta Trust promotes dialogue and understanding on gender and s*xuality as issues intimate and integral to human development in India. We look at gender and s*xuality through the prism of intersections with age, class, caste, religion, race, marital status, geographical location, s*xual and reproductive health, HIV, disability, mental health, education, livelihood, social security, environment and human rights. Varta Trust aims to publish multi-format and mutli-lingual publications for mass audiences as platforms for dialogue on gender and s*xuality. The “Varta” webzine (in a blog format till July 2016) is the first of these publications. Our publishing work is complemented by activities around awareness generation through public events, referrals to services, training, social research, and legal, policy and media advocacy on gender and s*xuality. Currently, a group of 22 people from the fields of journalism, social work, social and biomedical research, human rights and law, health, academics, art, information technology, engineering, business and financial management, event management and q***r community mobilization forms the larger Varta team. As a registered trust, Varta is lead by a three-member Board of Trustees consisting of Pawan Dhall (Founding Trustee), Kaushik Gupta and Madhuja Nandi. The first meeting of Varta was held on June 3, 2012 in Kolkata, and the “Varta” blog started on August 1, 2013. Varta was registered as a trust on May 14, 2014 with the ADSR Sealdah, District South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, with number IV - 00322 of 2014. We are also registered with the Income Tax Department with numbers CIT (Exemption), Kolkata/12AA/2017-18/A/10033 and CIT (Exemption), Kolkata/80G/2018-19/A/10081. Email: [email protected] Website (and webzine): www.vartagens*x.org Blog address: http://varta2013.blogspot.in/ Blog and website editor: Pawan Dhall Please also visit Q***r Friendly Lawyers Network - West Bengal Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/qfln.westbengal

Twitter handle: @vartatrust

YouTube channel: Click here. Varta Trust acknowledges the support provided by all its well wishers (individuals and organizations), whether moral, in terms of ideas, or in the form of resources – you know who you are. Credit for Varta logos used in profile and cover pictures: Rudra Kishore Mandal