Bombay Dost and gay life/culture in India

Nitin Karani is a gay rights advocate from Mumbai. He is on the board of Humsafar Trust, India's leading community-based HIV prevention organization, and has been associated with the trust since its inception in 1994, when it hosted the country's first South Asian gay men's conference. Nitin was one of only 13 people who took part in India's first Pride march in Kolkata on 2 July 1999. In 2002, he was media liaison for the first Asian conference of ILGA (International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans And Intersex Association) hosted by Humsafar and Aanchal Trust in Mumbai. Most recently, he played the same role at Kashish, India's first international queer film festival (April 2010) held in Mumbai. Nitin's writing has appeared in various mainstream publications and in 'Bombay Dost' magazine, India's only registered LGBT magazine, of which he is currently editorial board member. Nitin was a journalist for eight years at various newspapers and magazines, including 'The Indian Express' and 'Mid-Day', until 2003. He currently makes his living as an editor in the Royal Bank of Scotland's equity research production team. Previously, Nitin was in similar roles at JPMorgan India and Reliance Equities International.