About US

The Rainbow Awards for Journalism & Literature is owned and run by the Dwijen Dinanath Arts Foundation, a Section 8, not for-profit entity. Supported by donations and funds invested by its founder, Sharif D Rangnekar, the Foundation functions in the area of facilitating and curating platforms related to gender, sexuality, arts and the independent music space. It leverages history and literature as well as current affairs and the multitude of thoughts and views in all it attempts to do.

The Awards aim to build a genre on gender and sexuality centred around LGBTQIA+ stories and lived realities. Hence, we look at recognising unadulterated queer writing be it in literature or journalism.

Every year, the Awards announce a jury to gauge the submissions received. They look at authenticity, the narrative, the aspect of visibility and representation, the quality of writing as well as the various additional identities a queer person carries, that of caste, religion, disabilities and so on. They take their decisions independently and with great care, using their experience in their respective fields, coming to a final decision on shortlists and winners after spending over three months reading the entries.

As a platform we make all attempts not to discriminate against anyone be it on the lines of caste, class, religion, colour, sexuality, gender or disability. We also are averse to platforming or honouring persons who are known criminals, plagiarists, sexual offenders or hate mongers encouraging divisive thoughts and expression.

If you wish to support or know more about the Awards or the Foundation, you may write to sdrangnekar@gmail.com. For general queries, you can write to contact@therainbowawards.in.