INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SOUTH ASIAN LGBTQ ISSUES

TRIKONE AND ITS ALLIES ANNOUNCE DESIQ 2013

AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SOUTH ASIAN LGBTQ ISSUES HAPPENING JULY 4-6^TH WEEKEND IN SAN FRANCISCO

(San Francisco, California – May 1st, 2013) Trikone, the oldest LGBTQ South Asian organization in the world, announces the fourth DesiQ Conference, an international lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) South Asian conference, on July 4-6, 2013 in San Francisco.

Registration is currently open on the DesiQ website (www.desiq.org).

DesiQ is the only conference in the world that brings together a diverse, powerful, and inspiring group of South Asian LGBTQ activists, allies, artists, leaders, and partners.

The vision of DesiQ 2013 is to create a global powerhouse of South Asian LGBTQ persons working collaboratively to promote equality for queer South Asians. LGBTQ South Asian community leaders and allies will come together to address the economic, political, and social issues affecting our community around the world. Over 35 workshops will be hosted and over a dozen national and international ally organizations will be represented.

More than 250 South Asians are expected to attend three days of plenaries and workshops at University of California Mission Bay Campus, San Francisco. DesiQ will culminate with a gala dinner at the Oakland Scottish Rite Center that will recognize some of the leading South Asian LGBTQ activists across the globe. Notable attendees will be announced by June 1st.

The first DesiQ Conference started in 1995, followed by the second in 2000, and the third in 2006. Previous conferences have had keynote addresses by thought leaders such as Urvashi Vaid (previous Executive Director of Arcus Foundation), Surina Khan (previous Executive Director of IGLHRC), and Samina Ali (a Muslim American ally and author).

Early bird registration ends May 15th, 2013. The All-in-One Pass starts at US$175 and an exclusive Student Pass is offered at US$75. Scholarships and sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information, visit www.desiq.org.

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About Trikone:

Trikone is the first organization for LGBTQ South Asians established in the world. Founded in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1986, it offers a supportive, empowering and non-judgmental environment, where LGBT South Asians can meet, make connections and proudly promote awareness and acceptance of their sexuality in society.

South Asians affiliated with Trikone trace their ethnicities to one of the following places: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Tibet.

Trikone is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For more information, contact Monica Davis, Advocacy Director, media@desiq.org or visit www.trikone.org.

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