Marching Forward
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Support Groups
Two peer-led support groups, Sher Feline and Sher Jupiter, provide safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and adults. 
Confidential Counselling
Provided by professional Masters-level Counsellors in multiple languages and locations. |
Timeline of Events
April 2008
Social Worker Alex Sangha founded Sher Vancouver for LGBTQ+ Sikhs
August 2008
Sher Vancouver made history as the first Sikh float to ever participate in the Vancouver Pride Parade
April 2009
The DOSTI project launched to combat bullying, racism, homophobia and transphobia in schools
December 2013
The Out and Proud Project profiles queer South Asians from around the world
August 2015
Awarded “Organization of the Year” from New West Pride for establishing the January Marie Lapuz Youth Leadership Award
March 2017
Sher Vancouver makes history as the first LGBTQ+ South Asian group to march in the Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade
April 2017
Two peer support groups are launched: Sher Jupiter and Sher Feline
April 2018
The 10th anniversary is marked by the Desi-Q Cultural Celebration
May 2018
Sher Vancouver partners with No Fear Counselling to launch the Courage Fund which provides free counselling to LGBTQ+ people in crisis or distress
September 2018
Sher Vancouver releases a film entitled My Name Was January, directed by Elina Gress and Lenée Son
November 2019
Sher Vancouver's recommendation to the City of Delta to install rainbow park benches in city recreation centres to support diversity and inclusion is approved
July 2021
Sher Vancouver releases its debut feature film Emergence: Out of the Shadows, directed by Vinay Giridhar.
Sher Vancouver becomes a registered charity.
Sher Vancouver becomes a registered charity.
Indigenous Land Acknowledgement
Photo: Green Timbers Urban Forest where Sher Vancouver's debut feature documentary, Emergence: Out of the Shadows was filmed.
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Sher Vancouver would like to acknowledge and recognize that as a settler organization we stand on the ancestral, unceded, and unsurrendered lands of the Coast Salish Peoples (with the understanding that many specific nations exist within those territories). Our work to support people of colour queer folk always recognizes the existence since time immemorial of Two-Spirit and other LGBTQ+ identities that were heralded and celebrated as leaders within their communities.
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We acknowledge that the genocide wrought by settler colonialism also denigrated queer existence and created the structural violence that many queer folks face until this very day. Through the work we do, we hope to act in solidarity with Indigenous folks to support all queer and Two-Spirit folks while continuing to fight for Indigenous sovereignty. We cannot be free until we are all physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually free with justice on these stolen lands.
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Written By: Annie Ohana (she/her)
Indigenous Department Head, LA Matheson Secondary, Surrey
Sher Vancouver Social Justice Advisor
Indigenous Department Head, LA Matheson Secondary, Surrey
Sher Vancouver Social Justice Advisor