Yagna Dasan is the founder of Philadelphia’s first LGBT Hindu group, which has since spawned a network of similar groups across the country and Canada — accomplishments he has amassed all before even graduating college.
Dasan, 23, a religious-studies major and LGBT-studies minor at Temple University, founded the LGBT Hindu Satsang of Philadelphia in 2013. The group meets monthly at the William Way LGBT Community Center for worship and spiritual discussion.
“This group is a space for LGBT Hindus who want to worship in a safe, affirming space,” Dasan said. “We do traditional Hindu worship and observe all major Hindu festivals. We also have informal social events such as our ‘Chai and Chit-Chat.’”
According to Dasan, the group began as a small online community, which grew into the structured organization as it’s known today. Three other LGBT Hindu groups eventually formed in New York City, the Midwest and Melbourne, Australia.
Dasan said he found Hinduism in high school.
“I have always been a religious person. I was raised Catholic actually, and ‘converted’ to Hinduism and began my training to become a priest a couple years ago,” he said, noting a good friend of his in Melbourne, Australia — himself a Hindu priest after training for years in India — helped him start his spiritual journey. “He and I talked for a long time and eventually I approached him about becoming a priest.”
In addition to observing all the major Hindu festivals, the LGBT Hindu Satsang also participates in Philly’s LGBT events. They marched in their first Pride parade this year, and have participated in the last two OutFest events.
The group’s name reflects its mission of creating community: The word “satsang” means “good company.”
“‘Satsang’ is the concept of associating with fellow Hindus, fellow believers and keeping spiritual company,” Dasan said. “In a broader sense, it refers to spiritual company.”
Right now, Dasan’s duties as a priest are part-time but he plans on taking time to explore his faith further upon graduating.
“After I graduate, I want to take a year off to invest in it deeper,” he said. “Before I do, though, I’d like to set up a strong infrastructure for the group and get it set up as a nonprofit. Ideally, we would also have our own worship space.”
For more information, follow the group at www.facebook.com/PhillyLGBTHindus.