Itanagar, Aug 3: AP QueerStation successfully hosted its 8th community meetup at the Impression Institute, Itanagar, with a powerful and timely theme: “Queer-Trans Loneliness.” The event witnessed the participation of around 30 queer-trans individuals and allies from the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR), who came together to share personal stories, reflect on their journeys, and explore ways to combat isolation within their communities.
The session served as a safe space to unpack the often-silent struggles of loneliness, something experienced deeply by queer and trans persons due to various social, familial, and personal challenges. With a warm and inclusive environment, the meetup became a space of solidarity and healing.
The discussion was led by Gedam Ete, a practicing mental health professional, who spoke about the essential connection between mental health and self-care. She emphasized that taking care of one’s emotional and mental well-being starts with accepting oneself, understanding one’s emotions, and nurturing self-love. He further added that resilience is not built in isolation but thrives in connection. Support from friends, family, or even one empathetic person can significantly improve mental resilience. She encouraged the community to seek out these support systems instead of internalizing pain, as shared emotional experiences often act as the first step toward healing.
Sawang Wangchha, founder of AP QueerStation, addressed the gathering with a thoughtful reflection on how loneliness manifests in the queer-trans experience, whether through family rejection, failed relationships, or simply feeling disconnected from society due to one’s identity. He pointed out that such emotional voids can lead many individuals into depression, anxiety, and long-term mental health challenges. Sawang also stressed the importance of taking a holistic approach to health, encouraging participants to pay attention not just to mental wellness but also to physical and sexual health. In many cases, he observed that individuals resort to coping mechanisms such as substance use, unsafe sexual practices, or emotional withdrawal, largely due to the lack of proper counselling and community support. These coping strategies, though temporary, often put individuals at higher risk, especially in contexts where access to healthcare and information is limited. Sawang called upon more community members to come forward, share their stories, and help create a space that is empowering, healing, and non-judgmental. He reaffirmed that AP QueerStation continues to be a safe, inclusive space for queer-trans persons and allies across Arunachal Pradesh.
Adding a public health dimension to the discussion, Nido Tuluk, Project Coordinator at C.S.C 2.0 (Care and Support Centre) under the SSHAKTI initiative, briefly presented the key services offered through the program. Run by Ar.NP+ and supported by the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), the initiative aims to reduce Lost to Follow-Up (LFU) cases among People Living with HIV (PLHIV), offer emotional and mental health support, and conduct outreach among High-Risk Groups (HRGs). He also noted their dedicated work with Pregnant Positive Women (PPW), ensuring they receive consistent care throughout pregnancy and beyond. Nido encouraged queer-trans individuals to access these resources without hesitation, as these services are designed to support the most vulnerable with confidentiality and dignity.
The session concluded with an open-floor discussion, where many attendees shared their personal journeys, stories of dealing with loneliness, other struggles and how community connections have helped them stay grounded. Participants also exchanged ideas on how to build stronger peer networks and ensure continued outreach to those who may still be isolated.
The 8th meetup was supported by Impression Institute, Itanagar and Mariwala Health Initiative.
