About Urimai Kural Trust
Urimai Kural Trust is a community-driven organization dedicated to advancing human rights, dignity, and inclusion for marginalized communities across India. Founded in 2024 and registered in Chennai, we empower LGBTQIAP+ individuals, women, children, youth, and persons with disabilities through advocacy, support services, legal awareness, and community engagement.
Mission
To empower marginalized communities by providing advocacy, support services, education, and policy engagement, enabling individuals to live with dignity, equality, and freedom.
Vision
A just and inclusive society where every individual, regardless of gender, identity, disability, or background, enjoys equal rights, dignity, and opportunity.
Leadership
Our leadership brings lived experience, professional expertise, and a deep commitment to rights-based social change, guiding the Trust’s programs and advocacy.
Mr. Fred Rogers
Director | He/Him
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Transgender Man | Mental Health Professional | Human Rights Advocate
Fred Rogers (He/Him) is a transgender man with over 10 years of experience in development sector, health, and social justice, leading initiatives that support LGBTQIAP+ communities and other marginalized communities. His work brings together mental health, human rights advocacy, and community-led development, focusing on building inclusive systems where individuals can access their rights, live authentically, and thrive with dignity.
Fred currently serves as the Director of Urimai Kural Trust, a grassroots organization registered in 2024 that works towards advancing equity, inclusion, and social justice for LGBTQIAP+ communities, persons with disabilities, women, children, and youth.
Academic & Professional Qualifications
Fred brings an interdisciplinary foundation combining psychology, human rights, and social development.
MA in Counselling Psychology – Expertise in evidence-based therapeutic interventions and mental health support.
Accredited by the American Counselling Association (ACA) – Upholding ethical and professional counselling standards.
LGBTQIAP+ Affirmative Counselling Certification – Providing inclusive and affirming mental health care for LGBTQIAP+ individuals.
Postgraduate Diploma in Human Rights – Specialized knowledge in rights-based frameworks, policy advocacy, and legal instruments.
Diploma in Child Psychology – Understanding developmental, social, and educational needs of children and youth.
His training informs his work as an LGBTQIAP+ affirmative counsellor, focusing on trauma-informed, inclusive, and community-centered mental health support for individuals navigating stigma, discrimination, and identity-related challenges.
Key Leadership Highlights
Inclusive Sanitation & Menstruation Equity
Filed Public Interest Litigations advocating for single-occupancy, gender-neutral, and menstruation-friendly sanitation facilities across Tamil Nadu, promoting dignity, accessibility, and safety in public spaces.
Holistic Healthcare & Gender-Affirmative Care
Guides and supports individuals navigating gender-affirmative healthcare procedures, aligned with WPATH Standards of Care (SOC v8).
Sexual & Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) Advocacy
Leads initiatives addressing sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) for assigned female at birth trans and gender-diverse communities, while promoting equitable access to healthcare, education, and informed choices for all marginalized communities.
Mental Health & Wellness Leadership
Provides LGBTQIAP+ affirmative counselling and develops community-centered mental health and wellness programs that promote healing, resilience, and collective care.
Community-Led Leadership Development
Mentors grassroots leaders, fostering advocacy, self-empowerment, and resilience within marginalized communities.
Policy Engagement & Legal Advocacy
Actively engages in policy dialogues and legal forums, including discussions connected with the Madras High Court, to strengthen protections and rights for gender-diverse communities.
Capacity Building & Program Design
Designs training programs, workshops, toolkits, and resource materials that support communities, institutions, and service providers in building inclusive practices.
Cross-Movement & Intersectional Solidarity
Collaborates across movements working on gender justice, disability rights, youth empowerment, and economic justice, strengthening intersectional advocacy.
Education & Employment Access
Supports programs that improve educational access, skill development, and livelihood opportunities for trans and gender-diverse persons.
National & International Representation
Participated in multiple national and UN-linked consultations addressing sanitation, SRHR, and LGBTQIAP+ health and wellbeing.
Community Initiatives
Through his work with Urimai Kural Trust, Fred supports innovative community-led initiatives.
Shelter for Transmasculine Persons and Their Female Assigned Partners
A safe shelter initiative providing temporary housing, counselling support, healthcare referrals, legal guidance, and livelihood assistance for individuals facing family rejection, violence, or housing discrimination.
Tamil Nadu Trans Men Kabaddi Tournament
A historic sports initiative promoting visibility, confidence, leadership, and solidarity among trans men through sports and community engagement.
Ms. Janaki
Founding Trustee
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Ms. Janaki comes from a working-class background and faced significant challenges in her early life. Determined to complete her SSLC education despite financial and social hardships, she had to navigate difficult circumstances. When her aunt and uncle were transferred just three months before her exams, she could not move with them and needed a place to stay.
She found shelter with a family who had recently experienced an abortion. To stay there, she cooked for them, cleaned their clothes and utensils, and contributed to household chores, all while ensuring she could continue her studies and prepare for her exams.
Her story reflects resilience, determination, and commitment to education, qualities she carried forward in life. Ms. Janaki has also been a pillar of support for Fred, fully accepting and affirming his identity as a transgender man. Her love and encouragement have been central to Fred’s growth and dedication to creating safe, inclusive, and empowering spaces for marginalized communities through Urimai Kural Trust.
Dr. A
Trustee
Tamil Nadu, India
Leadership Philosophy
The Trust’s work is grounded in equity, justice, and inclusion. Guided by international and national frameworks — including the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the Constitution of India — our leadership ensures that all interventions are intersectional, rights-centered, and leave no one behind, creating sustainable social change for marginalized communities.
Intersectional Focus
We recognize that individuals often face multiple forms of discrimination based on gender, sexuality, disability, caste, and socio-economic status.
Our programs are designed to address these interconnected challenges and ensure inclusive, equitable, and sustainable impact. We prioritize community leadership and ensure that affected individuals play a central role in shaping solutions.
Get Involved
Join us in advancing dignity, equality, and justice for marginalized communities. Your support strengthens safe spaces, legal advocacy, education, and empowerment programs.