Women Police Station (WPS), Itanagar, in collaboration with AP QueerStation, organized an LGBTQIA+ sensitization program at Ane’s Home, a safe and inclusive space for women, children, and other vulnerable individuals and communities in Arunachal Pradesh.The session began with a welcome address by OC WPS Itanagar, Rina Sonam. She gave an overview of the role and functioning of the Women Police Station and emphasized the legal protections available for gender and sexual minorities, in addition to existing support systems for cisgender women and men. OC Rina Sonam highlighted the inclusive nature of Ane’s Home, which was envisioned and built under the guidance of former SP Itanagar, Rohit Rajbir Singh, IPS. She encouraged the queer-trans community to consider the space for future programs and gatherings. During her talk, she also discussed key provisions of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, underscoring the need for understanding and implementing these protections. She invited AP QueerStation to maintain open and honest communication with the Police, especially with the Women Police Station to enable better collaboration and support for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Sawang Wangchha, representing AP QueerStation, conducted an introductory session on the meaning and significance of the LGBTQIA+ acronym. He shared insights into the lived realities of queer and trans individuals in Arunachal Pradesh and spoke about the need for increased awareness among police personnel to handle related cases with sensitivity and care. He also noted that many queer-trans individuals hesitate to report abuse or crimes due to fear of outing and social stigma, and highlighted the role AP QueerStation plays as a bridge between victims and law enforcement. Emphasizing the need to move beyond binary frameworks, he urged attendees to adopt a more inclusive understanding of gender and sexuality. Wangchha also addressed the gender roles setup by the society not just affects the queer-trans community but also the Cis-heterosexual community as a whole. Wangchha also pointed out that rigid gender roles imposed by society impact not only the queer-trans community but also cisgender and heterosexual individuals, affecting everyone in different ways.

The program concluded with a vote of thanks by Inspector Dopi Pakam. She expressed her gratitude to AP QueerStation for initiating the collaboration and shared how the session deepened her understanding of the LGBTQIA+ community. She acknowledged the presence of queer-trans related cases even in Arunachal and emphasized the importance of handling such matters with compassion and accuracy, especially when children are involved. She called for more such sensitization efforts in the future to continue fostering awareness and inclusivity within the police force.

This sensitization program was supported by Mariwala Health Initiative (MHI), as part of its commitment to intersectional and inclusive mental health advocacy.