LGBTQ+ history month: In conversation with alumnus Jaymin Dalal
As part of LGBTQ+ History Month, we were delighted to speak with MBA alumnus Jaymin Dalal about his experiences of life in India, and activism and support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Listen to the podcast episode here.
Jaymin Dalal is Co-founder of Salvation Star and Bait Mumbai, which provide safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community. Jaymin has also served on the organising committee for Mumbai Pride (Queer Azaadi Mumbai), the largest Pride event in South Asia since its inception in 2007. His latest project is the Samavesh Chamber of Commerce, an NGO that hopes to create a policy ecosystem in India with industry and the government that encourages, supports, and provides access, engagement and visibility to Queer businesses, individuals, and organisations.
Jaymin spoke with Professor Edgar Meyer, Deputy Dean of Leeds University Business School, and discussed his experiences of being an openly gay man in India as well as discussing his activism and support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Professor Meyer commented on the experience of meeting Jaymin and gave his thoughts on LGBTQ+ history month:
It was fantastic speaking to Jaymin and being able to hear his unique story. I hope those in the LGBTQ+ community, and within our broader business school community, will be inspired by Jaymin’s achievements and personal journey. It is so important that we as a business school celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and shine a spotlight on some of its members.
“LGBT+ history month only started in the UK in 2005, so it is very much within our recent past and whilst we have come a long way since then, especially in the global North, there are still ongoing challenges. As a business school we know we are responsible for the development of the next generation of business leaders and we need to be doing more to promote equality and diversity, as well as combatting prejudice and discrimination, both within higher education and the global workplace.”
Listen to Professor Meyer in conversation with Jaymin Dalal.
