Support Bangladeshi - Bengali Queer & Trans Immigrant Youth

আমাদের দাওয়াত

Amader Dawat (Our Gathering) is a Bangladeshi queer and trans led grassroots collective based in NYC. Rooted in the tradition of dawaats (gatherings), we aim to foster community, connection, and empowerment. Our core mission is queer liberation–we strive to build celebratory and safe spaces by synergizing arts, culture, and political education.

Challenges Faced by Bangladeshi American LGBTQ+ People

Bangladeshi Americans are one of the fastest-growing ethnic minorities in the United States, with over 100,000 residing in New York City. Our community faces significant challenges due to xenophobia, Islamophobia, and increased surveillance, creating an environment of fear and anxiety that particularly burdens LGBTQI youth, who often feel isolated and under scrutiny. The stigma surrounding their identities, combined with societal discrimination, amplifies stress and mental health struggles. There is a critical need for supportive resources that affirm their identities and promote resilience within our community.

Previous Work

For the past two years, we've been committed to offering impactful programming, ranging from large-scale events to intimate workshops. Through collaborations with local LGBTQ+ artists, writers, musicians, and public health advocates, we've worked to create safe spaces and amplify the voices of Bangladeshi queer and trans individuals.

Why We Need Your Support

Amader Dawat is a fully volunteer-run initiative, and we currently operate without nonprofit status or institutional funding. Every event, meal, workshop, and resource we provide is made possible through the generosity of our community. As government-sponsored attacks against queer and trans people escalate, especially those at the intersection of immigrant and Muslim identities, our gatherings become even more vital. We are urgently seeking to raise $12,000 to sustain and grow our programming, provide meals, offer stipends to queer artists and facilitators, and ensure our spaces remain accessible and affirming. Your donation directly supports LGBTQ+ Bangladeshi immigrant youth in NYC—help us nourish joy, culture, and community in a time when it’s needed most.

Thank you for supporting Queer Joy & Resistance!