How two queer women created India’s first metaverse platform for LGBTQ+ individuals | Technology News

Ayushi Verma (left) and Deepali Lakhanpal (proper) are the founders of FirstContact metaverse platform.

“Nobody actually searches for an NGO for LGBTQ people, or occasions occurring locally, as a result of many individuals aren’t prepared to come back out as queer. They wish to perceive how protected the atmosphere is, however once you’re not snug with your self, reaching out turns into tough. That’s why, when you may have a special identification or go by a special title, it turns into simpler to speak to others. It’s like how one can generally discuss to a stranger about your issues extra simply than with your personal associates,” mentioned Lakhanpal.

‘Not attempting to be LinkedIn’

Lakhanpal and Verma, who’re from Punjab, share a imaginative and prescient to create a metaverse — an immersive digital atmosphere that serves as a hangout area the place individuals from the LGBTQ+ group can come collectively below one roof: a clear, well-lit digital world that’s attempting to be a one-of-a-kind platform.

Verma, 28, who holds a Grasp’s diploma in Sociology from Delhi Faculty of Economics, recollects conducting analysis on the Kinner group throughout her research, which influenced the creation of FirstContact. The title FirstContact comes from the perception that preliminary interactions with the group affect the life trajectories of queer people.

“I met a number of queer individuals in Ludhiana. These queer individuals had been additionally scared to come back out they usually had been additionally working to metro cities. I by no means had a circle the place I could be expressive about my emotions,” Lakhanpal 33, added, explaining the way it turns into tough for a queer individual to make associates.

Not like relationship apps like Tinder or Grindr, the founders mentioned FirstContact is all about significant connections — it’s not designed to be a relationship platform. “FC [FirstContact] is standing in an area the place it’s fixing an issue that not one of the different platforms are addressing. There are organisations working for the LGBTQ group, like Humsafar Belief, they usually’ve been doing a commendable job,” mentioned Verma, who labored at Recircle, a sustainability startup.

“However their presence is generally offline and restricted to sure components of the nation. Even after they do have a web-based presence, it’s very formal. It’s not a two-way interplay. It’s not like, ‘Hey, let’s hang around,’ or ‘Hey, I wish to discuss,’ and even simply ‘Let me be.’ That sort of area doesn’t actually exist. However in FirstContact, it’s like having that one additional tab open the place you may simply discuss to somebody,” she added.

Verma mentioned FirstContact is a “plugin to your life”. “So, when you’re working, you can also make it extra enjoyable by working alongside different individuals. You may focus for a sure period of time, then take a break with them. Play video games, chit-chat, or, for those who’re performing some mild work, simply work and chat on the identical time. That’s throughout work hours,” she mentioned.

“We’re not attempting to be LinkedIn, and we don’t wish to be a relationship platform both.”

‘Extra natural conversations’

This imaginative and prescient of an immersive digital realm just isn’t new — Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has additionally tried to create an immersive digital universe prior to now, one that individuals would wish to spend time in. Nonetheless, Zuckerberg envisioned a metaverse the place individuals would initially enter utilizing digital and augmented actuality {hardware}, permitting them to play digital video games, attend digital concert events, store for digital items, and be a part of digital work conferences.

The platform allows nameless interplay whereas offering sense of group and belonging.

The concept behind FirstContact is basically the identical — a digital second life, however with out the necessity for added digital actuality or augmented actuality {hardware}. The platform is particularly focused at addressing the LGBTQ+ group’s lack of protected areas, and the problem of discovering group members, which they see as key issues.

Lakhanpal, who has labored in digital advertising at top-tier companies, mentioned FirstContact is attempting to provide the very best of the offline in addition to the web world for individuals from anyplace on this planet. Verma chipped in, including that, not like LinkedIn, which is a critical platform the place you solely attain out to somebody for those who’re on the lookout for a job, you don’t wish to message somebody and not using a objective. However on FirstContact, they mentioned conversations are extra natural between people or teams, and it’s not essentially about work — it might be about anything.

“The factor with co-working right here is that I is likely to be engaged on a Google Sheet, and the individual in entrance of me — I do know they’re an information analyst — so I ask, ‘Hey, I’m engaged on this perform, and I’m caught. Do you may have any concepts?’ That’s how FC is totally different. The whole lot you’re doing is already occurring inside the area,” she mentioned.

Holding it protected

Lakhanpal added that whereas in India’s greater cities reminiscent of Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, a tradition of queer cafés has emerged — changing into hubs for queer-friendly occasions, venues, and communities — there may be nonetheless a reluctance amongst many queer people to be overtly recognized as such. This hesitation typically comes from the concern of both harming their dad and mom’ fame or placing their very own identification in danger. That method, she mentioned, FirstContact is protected, and since they will preserve their identification nameless.

Verma mentioned the platform enforces strict security guidelines, together with the usage of protected phrases to assist preserve boundaries. There’s a thorough verification course of to make sure the security of members, and the platform actively rejects customers who might create homophobic or transphobic environments.

“We don’t confirm individuals within the conventional sense. You may undergo the whole course of whereas staying 100 per cent nameless. None of it’s primarily based on identification. It’s extra about observing behaviour over time, refining the method, and utilizing behavioural cues to make choices. Sadly, there have been many individuals we’ve needed to reject over time due to this,” she mentioned.

“The security of our customers is all the time our primary precedence. Simply because somebody joins the platform doesn’t imply they’re an ideal one that poses no danger. We’ve now reached some extent the place the group itself upholds the FC guidelines. We’ve structured them in a method that makes them as goal as doable with regards to individuals crossing others’ boundaries,” she added.

There have been circumstances prior to now the place studies of assaults, harassment, and sexual assault have raised considerations about how digital platforms function. Lakhanpal and Verma emphasised that they intently monitor consumer behaviour on the platform. “The primary time, a warning is given. Relying on the scenario, if one thing comes up a second time, that individual might be eliminated. Nobody will get greater than three possibilities,” Lakhanpal mentioned.

“The platform resembles real-world social interactions, however in a digital area. It’s like going to a celebration—you meet individuals, have conversations, after which go away. However since you see the identical individuals daily on the platform, you turn into good associates and develop nearer to them. That is how any social group thrives,” mentioned Verma.

Creating a brand new established order

One can spend hours inside FirstContact — very like within the recreation Fortnite, the place gamers create digital representations of themselves to compete and play with others. Customers seem as avatars, however have the choice to activate their cameras in the event that they really feel snug. They’ll additionally discover a number of areas, meet individuals, work, chat, and do far more.

FirstContact presently has roughly 10,000 customers, with about 20 to 30 energetic customers per hour within the metaverse. Verma mentioned the platform has enabled over 3 million minutes of conversations. It operates as a Part 8, not-for-profit firm with a freemium enterprise mannequin: fundamental entry is free, whereas premium options can be found by means of memberships or donations.

Lakhanpal added that two-thirds of customers come from metropolitan cities, whereas one-third are from smaller cities. The platform is supported by a staff of 25 to 30 volunteers, working throughout net growth, product design, and content material creation.

“FirstContact’s aim is to normalise various identities, and create an area the place individuals can categorical themselves with out concern,” Lakhanpal mentioned.

However the bigger aim is to create a brand new established order the place range is accepted, and human rights aren’t outlined by identification. To develop the platform, Lakhanpal and Verma wish to work with companies on range and inclusion initiatives by means of worker useful resource teams.

“Once we meet after which exit into the actual world, we feature with us the thought of not assuming anybody’s identification with respect to gender, sexuality, or anything, or how we’re coping with it. The entire established order exists as a result of there are sufficient individuals believing within the present cis-heteronormativity. However once we get sufficient individuals to attach, we will topple that. It’s very sociologically doable in each method,” Verma mentioned.