Safety-firstDark mode default • Panic button • Offline reading • Community accountability

Mission & values framework

Unmuted India Manifesto

Unmuted India amplifies the hidden stories, unheard voices, and invisible struggles of India’s LGBTQ+ community. We report with nuance, context and humanity — centring the most marginalised while holding power accountable and celebrating community resilience.

5-year visionIndia’s most trusted LGBTQ+ news source

A platform known for rights reporting, service journalism and community-centred storytelling.

Public accountabilityAnnual impact report

Coverage gaps, funding sources, corrections and community feedback made visible.

Safety principleDo no harm

No outing, no sensationalism, no unsafe details without informed consent.

Core values

What the platform will stand for

Centre the most marginalised

Coverage must include trans, non-binary, Dalit, Bahujan, Adivasi, Muslim, disabled, rural, working-class and non-metro voices.

  • Avoid metro-only storytelling
  • Commission lived-experience reporting
  • Use community review for sensitive topics

Authentic community voice

The platform should be built with the community, not merely about the community.

  • Contributor pipeline
  • Public story tips
  • Open feedback loops

Investigative accountability

Unmuted will report on institutions, corporations, courts, policy and systems affecting queer lives.

  • Source protection
  • Right of reply
  • Clear corrections

Safety and protection

Reader safety, source safety and staff safety are product requirements, not optional values.

  • Panic button
  • Anonymous tips
  • Sensitive content handling

Sustainability and independence

Revenue should support journalism without letting funders dictate editorial decisions.

  • Transparent funding
  • Label sponsorships
  • Protect editorial control

Celebration and joy

Coverage must include love, art, friendship, humour, work, faith, ageing and ordinary life — not only crisis.

  • Joy as coverage beat
  • Culture and lifestyle stories
  • Community achievements

Editorial policy

What we will and won’t do

We will report

  • Rights, safety, health, employment, housing, faith, education, culture and regional queer life.
  • Taboo or under-reported issues with dignity and consent.
  • Investigations that hold power accountable.
  • Community wins, joy and everyday resilience.

We won’t do

  • Out people without explicit consent.
  • Use trauma as clickbait.
  • Publish identifying details that increase risk.
  • Let advertisers or sponsors shape editorial conclusions.