Community rallies to rescue vital trans support center for South Asian immigrants

Parivar faces funding crises, but community support shines a hopeful light.

Told by Claire Lawson · 30 August 2026

Parivar, a support organization for trans South Asian immigrants, is hanging by a thread as it faces a critical funding crisis. Founded in 2018 in San Francisco, Parivar has been a lifeline, offering job training programs and legal services tailored for a demographic that often feels overlooked by mainstream LGBTQ+ organizations.

Despite its vital role, the organization has struggled to secure necessary city and state grants, threatening its very existence. With its location forced to close due to these funding shortfalls, Parivar was on the brink of shutting down entirely by October. But the community has rallied around it, raising over $10,000 as they aim for a long-term goal of $500,000 to stabilize operations.

San Francisco's Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman announced a commitment of $100,000 to keep Parivar afloat temporarily, while the Human Rights Commission prepares to vote on a funding resolution that could extend a $150,000 grant. The support from other LGBTQ+ and immigrant groups highlights the importance of intersectional services that Parivar provides, as founder Anjali Rimi emphasized, noting that many in the community face discrimination on multiple fronts.

As the city works towards finding new funding sources, the community's unwavering support could be the key to Parivar's survival, addressing a gap in services that is sorely needed for those navigating the challenges of being both trans and an immigrant.