Rangoli Pittsburgh is a vibrant local community organization dedicated to creating a sense of belonging for LGBTQ South Asians in the city. Founded in 2018 by Deepshika Sharma and Satvika Neti, the group aims to provide events and social opportunities for Queer South Asians to come together and celebrate their identities.
The name Rangoli was chosen for its cultural and historical significance. Rangoli is an art form that involves drawing colorful patterns on the floor or walls — a fitting symbol for the community’s diversity and inclusion.
Rangoli hosts a variety of events, including monthly Chill & Chats, Craft Get-Togethers, Movie Nights, Drag Shows, and a Friendsgiving. In 2019, they launched their own Day of Visibility in Pittsburgh, which takes place annually on June 1st.
“What I love most about Rangoli is the people. Everyone who is a part of Rangoli is fiercely passionate about community building within ourselves and intersectional solidarity with other groups doing similar work,” Satvika Neti said sharing their love for the community.
“I’ve always said my favorite parts of being in Rangoli are the in-between parts — reminding each other to eat in between events, late-night planning sessions where we’re all going insane in the same Google Doc, and the trips we’ve been able to take with one another,” Satvika reflected on the behind-the-scenes moments.
They also highlighted the broader activism Rangoli engages in. “I love that we’ve been able to speak at rallies, panels, and events on issues that are important to us globally — Black Lives Matter, trans rights, resisting right-wing Hindutva, and more!”
For long-time member Surya Ramachandran, Rangoli offers a unique cultural connection.
“I love meeting other people with the specific cultural experiences I have. There are so many ways being South Asian and also being queer impact your life experience,” they explained.
“Meeting people who share that intersection allows me to feel like I don’t have to explain myself constantly.”
Surya also spoke about how meaningful Rangoli can be for newcomers. “It’s always wonderful seeing some people’s first time meeting our community. For college students, it might be their first time seeing proof that there are many people just like them. Among older members moving to Pittsburgh, it can be a delight and a comfort knowing that they’ll have this community here.”
“When I moved here, I was actively looking for this type of community. Finding it made me feel so certain that Pittsburgh was going to be a good place for me to live,” they added.
When asked about their best experiences, Satvika highlighted the success of Rangoli’s 2023 Day of Visibility. “Our Day of Visibility programming in 2023 was probably the biggest series of events we’ve tried to do. It was cool to see how people in the SF/Bay area took this idea that we started here in Pittsburgh and ran with it!”
“It’s always really fun to have people come up to us after events, rallies, and picnics and say, ‘Oh my god, I’ve been looking for something like this!’ It feels really good to create a space where people can authentically be themselves.”
Surya shared a favorite memory from a drag performance. “I think my favorite experience was doing a drag performance at Cobra as part of our dance party. As a drag king, I often perform Bollywood and Tollywood numbers, but usually to an audience that has no connection to the songs or understanding of the lyrics. Performing for an audience that actually gets the inside jokes was so wonderful.”
Surya encouraged new folks to come out. “We hope that you’ll come out to our events and meet us! Although we do a lot of social events, we also are committed to supporting each other. If you’re new in the city and need help getting connected with resources like queer-friendly healthcare, please reach out to our Instagram page.”
“We’re all a big bunch of friends who do fun stuff together but also want to change the world! Come join us,” Satvika added in a warm invitation.
Rangoli Pittsburgh is more than a community — it’s a celebration of identity, culture, and solidarity. For more information about Rangoli Pittsburgh and its upcoming events, visit their website, find them on Facebook or Instagram, or contact them directly at rangolipgh@gmail.com.
