SUJAAG…Rising Together is a platform to foster open dialogue around stigmatized topics or issues that are beyond our experience in a safe, judgment-free environment. More than a passive venue to find solutions, this platform provides a way to engage in discussions, gain different perspectives, and support each other in a guided format with professional insight.

SUJAAG is excited to bring you an event created by youth for youth on how to be an ally to the LGBTQIA+ youth in our community.

PANEL + MODERATOR

MODERATOR: Sid Sanjeev (He/His)

Sid is a Sophomore at LHS and an Ally for the LGBTQ+ community. He is the founder of “Sid for Shiv” tutoring service and has been imparting foundational mathematical  skills to 5th and 6th graders since the past 2 years. Though this is at no cost, any donations that are received go in their entirety for “Desi Rainbows- Parents and Allies” and help provide support to this organization that seeks to build a community where diversity of sexual orientation and gender identity are valued, affirmed and celebrated by all.

PANELISTS

MAYA JOSHI (THEY/SHE/ELLE)

Maya also goes by MJ, is a third culture person whose multi-hyphenate identity plays a huge part in their art practice, education and community engagement work. They are a queer first generation Caribbean and South Asian American based in Flatbush, Brooklyn. MJ is originally from East Orange, NJ and recently moved back to NYC from Bay Area, CA. They have worked on a number of youth community organizing projects since 2018 that range from sustainability activism to anti-administration efforts at a performing arts school in Oakland. They are currently helping to build a Queer BIPOC arts collective focused on using art for political education, community engagement, and liberation of African diasporic folks. They are also pursuing an advanced degree in mental health counseling with a focus on supporting LGBTQIA+ youth. You can see more of their work at mayamjoshi.com and support their arts practice and collective on IG @mayaaalicious_

ALEX GOOS (SHE/HER)

Alex was born and raised in central Jersey, a teacher by profession, she studied early childhood education at Penn State University. While at Penn State, she was president of the LGBTQ+ Alliance Club. After college she moved down to DC where she joined Khush DC, an organization for the South Asian Queer community in the DC area. During the COVID Lockdown, Alex moved back to New Jersey, where she’s spent the last several years, striving to get more involved with the queer south Asian community in the Tri-State area, joining groups such as SALGA and Desi Rainbow Parents and Allies, and even working for a non-profit that was dedicated to eradicating discrimination based in orientation in schools and other professional organizations. Currently, Alex works as an administrator for a childcare center and in her free time enjoys cooking, socializing, and learning about queer oriented history. 

DR. DILIP NAGARKAR (HE/HIM/HIS)

Dilip completed his Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering at Duke University. With an interest in global health, during his undergrad, he helped in development of clean water protocols and public health education modules for teaching during medical brigade trips in rural Honduras as well as completed a fieldwork project in rural India assessing diabetes and hypertension prevalence in rural populations. In alignment with his interest in health equity, he also started a university club, Cancer Crusaders, to increase bone marrow donor registration among communities of color. During medical school, Dilip developed a non-profit, QDASA, to raise awareness around LGBTQ health disparities in the South Asian Community of the Greater Seattle Area and to provide culturally sensitive support and community for the South Asian LGBTQ community in the region.

FUN ACTIVITIES + GIVEAWAYS + ICE-CREAM

Along with a panel discussion, there will be some engaging activities and giveaways. Ice-cream will also be served at the end of the event.

This is a free event, however, registration is required

Venue: Livingston United Methodist Church

290 W Hobart Gap Rd, Livingston, NJ 07039

Date: Sunday June 11th, 2023

Time: 4:30 - 6:30 pm

Cost: Free, but Registration is required

Our members can register via our app (Wild Apricot) Or 

Click Here to register