HST was set up in April 1994 by leading gay activist Ashok Row Kavi. For nearly two decades, Humsafar Trust has worked with MSM and transgender communities in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It has successfully linked community advocacy and support activities to the development of effective HIV prevention and health services. It is one of the pioneers among MSM and transgender organisations in India and serves as the national secretariat of the Indian Network for Sexual Minorities (INFOSEM). HST has been developed as a learning site under the FHI-Aastha project and is a Global Fund Sub-Recipient under Pehchān supporting capacity building on CBOs in five states of western India serving MSM, transgender and hijra communities.

The mission of HST is to take a holistic approach to the rights and health of sexual minorities and promote rational attitudes to sexuality. To this effect, HST’s work has four main components: HIV and overall health of MSM and TG; advocacy; research; and capacity building. To support the latter three components of HST’s mission, the organization has formed the Humsafar Centre for Excellence (CEFE).