In 2023, I, Sheryl Tayal, the founder of Astitva Teens, witnessed one of my close friends being mistreated when she identified herself as bisexual in front of her school community. I remember the evening she confided in me, and the realization that echoed long after that this was not just her battle; it was mine and millions of teenagers globally who identify as LGBTQIA.
There are 25,00,000 people in India who are part of the LGBTQ+ community and most of them have trouble coming out of the closet. Moreover, the members of the LGBTQ+ community are at a greater risk of experiencing hate crimes. This is the problem my innovation aims to tackle—giving a voice to those who had been silenced for too long.
This became the driving force behind Astitva Teens: Celebrating Diversity in Different Identities, a nonprofit I founded in September 2023.
Astitva Teens (Astitva – English Translation: Identity) empowers teenagers by educating them about identity, gender, and the LGBTQIA+ community through workshops, panel discussions, school collaborations, and roundtable discussions. We work to create school cultures rooted in inclusivity, acceptance, and empathy, helping young people express their authentic selves without fear of judgment.
Astitva Teens is more than just an organization; it is a movement for change and for the unwavering belief that every individual deserves to be seen, respected, and celebrated for who they truly are. Celebrating diversity in different identities!
My innovation started with a revolution.
Astitva Teens is a movement. A call to challenge the norms and break the cookie-cutter mold, because a fish should never be judged by its ability to climb a tree. In practice, it aims to target teenagers from their yesteryears. This movement is about redefining what ‘normal’ truly means.
From hosting panel discussions, featuring distinguished professionals from diverse backgrounds, including Simran, a trans teacher from Shri Ram School, Aravalli, Ganga Amritesh, and Mr. Suri, founder of the Keshav Suri Foundation, to organizing bake sales—Pause for a Cause, Astitva Teens has been constantly working to provide a solution to this problem.
With hopes in our hearts, Astitva Teens organized a second event under the Festival of Hope at Pathways School, Gurgaon. Different from the previous event, which was centered around discussion, this initiative was focused on taking actionable steps towards inclusivity and raising awareness. The event included an identity session conducted by a counselor, where students explored themes of emotion regulation, personal feelings, and bullying in a safe and open environment. This different category of workshops included Media for Advocacy (Digital Media), Gender-Sensitive School Policy Making and Art as Expression (Fashion & Painting).
Our vision is to cultivate a world where every teenager, regardless of their identity, feels safe, accepted, and empowered within their school environment.
Astitva Teens operates with a pan-India dedicated team of 15-20 students from different grades, ranging from middle school to collegiate levels. This diverse team structure allows for mentorship opportunities, where younger students learn from their senior peers, fostering leadership development and collaborative learning.
Recently, we launched a website, and are currently developing a mobile app—with anonymous support groups, 24/7counselor access, and educational resources for queer teens, parents, and allies. Our first book, ‘What’s Your Astitva’, is a repository of information that will feature informative articles, political infographics, and poetry on identity, allyship, and expression. The book brings together insightful perspectives and essential information about the LGBTQIA+ community and is designed to educate and inspire the three pillars of every school community: students, teachers, and parents. Through stories, reflections, and awareness-driven content, the book invites readers to embrace individuality, celebrate diversity, and understand that every identity deserves to be seen, valued, and respected.
We all speak of the right to freedom and speech—but what about the right to freely express who we are? Whether it’s our sexuality, our neurodiversity, our needs, or our faith—true freedom only exists when every identity is not just accepted but celebrated. And my innovation would continue to spread until that freedom belongs to everyone.
The newness of our approach lies in how we branch out through different media and reach our audience through multiple platforms. This helps us connect with all three key pillars of the school community - students, parents, and teachers. We use social media to engage with teenagers (our primary beneficiary), print media to reach parents and teachers, and share regular updates through our newsletter and website. At the same time, our petition and advocacy work allows us to involve changemakers and further our mission to reach for policy-level support. This inclusive approach helps us support our target groups and allies, equipping them with the knowledge, confidence, and resources to advocate for their rights and the rights of others.
As part of our forthcoming initiatives, we have filed a Petition and a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) with the Ministry of Education, advocating for the integration of comprehensive information on gender identity, sexual orientation, and inclusivity into school NCERT textbooks. With over 150 signatories already, we are actively working to gather broader public support to ensure every student receives accurate, age-appropriate information that promotes empathy and acceptance from an early age.
By 2030, I envision an equitable world where youth are educated, empowered, and united. Using education as a force to dismantle discrimination and build a future where every voice matters and no one lives in fear of hate or judgment.
Events organized by Astitva Teens have ranged from dialogue-based discussions to action-oriented workshops, including sessions on policy-making, media for advocacy, and creative expression — all designed to challenge stereotypes and amplify student voices.
We connect with people through various online and offline platforms. You can easily find and connect with us on Instagram and be a part of the ongoing movement. Additionally, we hold regular roundtable discussion sessions (in addition to our events). This provides students, parents, and teachers with information about the LGBTQIA+ community and how one can interact with members of the community because being an ally is verb.
Additionally, we’ve partnered with various NGOs such as the Keshav Suri Foundation, Pride Circle, Humsafar Trust, and Glad Foundation. With the help of these organizations, we organize interactive sessions and fundraisers, so you can directly contribute to the cause through these fundraisers as well.
