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We are Vannam
Vannam is a student-driven queer support and resource group of IIT Madras. Vannam (வண்ணம்), which translates as ‘Colour’ in Tamil, stays true to its name by spreading colours in monochromatic campus life, otherwise having very little support system. Vannam strives to provide a safe space and support for the queer community and their allies on campus.
Established in the pride month (June) of 2014, Vannam received official recognition from the IIT Madras administration and has become an Independent Student Body (ISB) in the pride month (June) of 2021. Vannam proudly stands as a platform for fostering dialogues around the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies on campus. Throughout the years, Vannam continues to play a role in striking conversation and hence, removing stigma from queer issues hitherto considered taboo subjects.
[On this website as well as within the context of larger discourse, “queer” refers to people with sexual orientations and/or forms of gender identities/expressions that are different from cisgender heterosexuality and not wholly encompassed under any of the terms in LGBTQIA+]
Vannam is a member of the
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DEI) Committee of IIT Madras.
Mission
Our mission, in line with the Institute's belief in the dignity and worth of all, is to support and affirm students of all sexual orientations, gender identities and other oppressed sections, creating a welcoming and inclusive campus while providing a safe space for queer individuals and allies to express freely, build solidarity and a sense of community.
Vision
Vannam envisions to create an inclusive campus by establishing a platform for queer students' expression and ally support, educating the campus on LGBTQIA+ issues, and working to promote equality and eliminate prejudices and discrimination based on gender, gender identity, sex, sexuality, caste, religion, creed, race, ethnicity, (dis)ability, ability, and other visible and invisible identity markers.
Agenda
Vannam engages with queer community and their allies, hosts events, talks, lectures, movie screenings, pride marches, and more to instill hope and pride in queer students, to sensitise the campus community on queer issues, to promote queer culture on campus, and to make the campus safe. It provides a safe space for those facing discrimination, advocates for policy changes to recognize LGBTQIA+ rights, and offers mental support and professional referrals.
Website
The primary purpose of the Vannam website is to serve as an online platform for IIT Madras' student queer collective, providing a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ students and allies to connect, share experiences, access resources, and support each other. Dedicated to celebrating diversity, promoting equality, and fostering a sense of community within IIT Madras and beyond, the website aims to highlight the achievements of Vannam, offer educational content on LGBTQ+ issues, publicize initiatives and events, recommend Queer media and provide a comprehensive resource hub for mental health support, legal advice, and LGBTQ+ friendly services.
It also allows members to share their stories and creative submissions, offers a platform for contact and outreach, facilitates collaborations with other groups and allies, and promotes diversity within the queer community at IIT Madras through various activities and stories.
Specific Goals
Awareness
Highlight Achievements: Showcase the accomplishments and milestones of the Vannam collective and its members to inspire and motivate others.
Educational Content: Provide educational resources and information on LGBTQ+ issues, rights, and history to increase understanding and awareness.
Initiatives and Events: Publicize upcoming initiatives, campaigns, and events organized by Vannam to encourage participation and engagement.
Support
Resource Hub: Offer a comprehensive collection of resources, including mental health support, legal advice, and LGBTQ+ friendly services, to assist students in need.
Submission Platform: Allow members to share their stories, artwork, and other creative submissions to foster expression and visibility.
Contact and Outreach: Provide a platform for individuals to reach out to Vannam for support, guidance, or to connect with like-minded peers.
Community Building
Interactive Forums: Create a space for discussions, forums, and online interactions where members can share their experiences, seek advice, and build connections.
Collaborations: Facilitate collaborations with other student groups, organizations, and allies to strengthen the network of support and advocacy.
Celebrating Diversity: Promote and celebrate the diversity within the queer community at IIT Madras through various activities, profiles, and stories.
About the logo:
An ode to our quest to create a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community and spread awareness, the Vannam Eye presents a refreshing take on perspectives. Who we are, and how we see the world, is the basis of the notions we hold and the ideas we oppose. Hence, as a fitting representation of it all stands Vannam’s new logo. Please read the concept note provided below to know how it came to be and the artist’s inspiration for creating it.
CONCEPT NOTE: The designer spent a lot of time in researching understanding the intricacies of the LGBTQIA++ community. The findings resulted in a a very mixed and complicated spectrum of emotions and details. Adding all these details to a small design like a logo was a difficult task. Finally, the shapes of eyes and stars have been used to add depth and meaning to the logo.They say eyes are the window to the soul. The main shape in the logo is of an eye. Everything that exists in this world is seen through the eye. The pupil has been converted into a multi-coloured star. These colours broadly include the colours of the progressive pride flag. So many stars in the world and you never see the spectrum behind them. Only when you take a closer look, does a world of colour explode!
The Vannam Eye presents a refreshing take on perspectives
New Vannam IITM Logo