GANGTOK : The Foundation for Indian Contemporary Art (FICA), in collaboration with Royal Enfield and the Department of English, Sikkim University, organised Gender Dialogues in the Himalayas: The Role of Institutions, Society and the Arts on July 31, bringing together scholars, artists, researchers and practitioners from across the Himalayan region to discuss gender, identity, culture, institutions and the arts.
Held in a hybrid format, the programme served as an interdisciplinary platform for dialogue on gender, artistic practices and community engagement, with participants from different parts of the country.
The event commenced with a welcome address by Dr Abrona L Aden, followed by an introduction to the Himalayan Fellowship by lead consultant Mary Therese Kurkalang, who outlined the fellowship’s objective of promoting research and creative practices across the Himalayan region.
Representing Arunachal Pradesh, AP QueerStation founder Sawang Wangchha shared the organisation’s efforts to build safer and more inclusive spaces for LGBTQIA+ communities in the state. He highlighted the increasing visibility of LGBTQIA+ individuals in Arunachal Pradesh while drawing attention to the challenges of loneliness, isolation and the lack of safe spaces faced by many indigenous queer persons.
Drawing from AP QueerStation’s work in advocacy, mental health, storytelling, cultural engagement, research and public sensitisation, Wangchha spoke about the emerging queer movement in Arunachal Pradesh and stressed the need for community-led initiatives rooted in dignity, inclusion, dialogue and indigenous realities.
The panel also featured Avinam Manger, Prof Rosy Chamling, Davidson Kumam and Shiva Pathak, with the session moderated by Lobsang Norbu. Discussions focused on the role of institutions, communities, literature, visual arts and cultural traditions in shaping conversations on gender and identity across the Himalayan region.
Speakers collectively underscored the importance of strengthening dialogue, promoting inclusive cultural spaces and ensuring meaningful representation of diverse Himalayan communities, including indigenous and LGBTQIA+ groups, in academic, artistic and public discourse.
The programme concluded with an interactive session between the speakers and participants, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Dr Saswati Saha, Assistant Professor, Department of English, Sikkim University.
AP QueerStation expressed gratitude to FICA, Royal Enfield and the Department of English, Sikkim University for providing a platform that brought together diverse voices from across the Himalayan region to engage in meaningful discussions on gender, identity and inclusion.
