CONNECT was an advocacy project. Sexual minority communities across India face many of the same problems, but for a long time they had few ways to speak with one voice. CONNECT, led by The Humsafar Trust, built a national network of community-based organisations so that these voices could reach the people who make laws and policies. Basera was part of this network.

The advocacy worked in four ways:

People’s forums: Lok Panchayats where community members raised their concerns directly before officials and other stakeholders
Community leaders: leaders identified across 18 states, who met lawmakers regularly to share community issues
Evidence: a review of research on sexual minorities, and the recorded life stories of MSM and transgender persons living with HIV
Shared knowledge: a national network website and an online resource centre of policies, reports and advocacy tools

For Basera, CONNECT meant being part of a national movement, where the voices of our community in Delhi NCR reached the places where decisions are made.