Anjali Gopalan

Anjali Gopalan is an Indian human rights and animal rights activist. She is the founder and executive director of The Naz Foundation Trust.

In 2012, Time magazine placed Gopalan on its list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Early life

Anjali Gopalan was born on September 1, 1957, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Her father, Group Captain Dr KR Gopalan, was an officer in the Indian Air Force; her Punjabi mother was a homemaker. Gopalan did her schooling in La Martiniere Lucknow.

She studied in both India and the United States and received her Bachelor's degree in political science from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, as well as a postgraduate diploma in journalism and a Masters in International Development from the School of International studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University.

Social work

Early work Gopalan collaborated with community-based organizations in New York City, She later founded the Naz Foundation.

1990s

In 1994, upon returning to India, Gopalan established Delhi's first HIV clinic. The same year, she founded the Naz Foundation (India) Trust, an organization focused on supporting LGBT individuals and children affected by HIV. She also provided training for healthcare professionals and caregivers on how to care for HIV-positive children in both residential and foster care settings.

In 2001, Gopalan’s organization, Naz Foundation, filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalized homosexuality. The legal challenge sought to address the harassment and discrimination faced by individuals based on their sexual orientation. In 2009, the Delhi High Court ruled in favor of the Naz Foundation, declaring Section 377 a violation of individual rights.

In 2001, Gopalan was awarded the Commonwealth Award Since September 2, 2012, she has served as the advisory head of the committee of Srishti Madurai.

In 2012, Gopalan established an animal sanctuary called "All Creatures Great and Small" at Silakhari, Harayana.

On October 25, 2013, Gopalan was awarded the Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur in the order of the legions of honor, the highest award from France; the award was presented to her by Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, Minister of Women's Rights for France. Gopalan is the first Indian Tamil woman awarded the "Legion of Honour".

Awards and recognition

People of the Year Award (2014)

Time 100 Most Influential People in the World (2012) Woman Achiever Award by the Government of India (2007) Commonwealth Award (2001)