In honor of pride month having just passed, let's discuss about the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer) community and how it's perceived in our own community. In 2016, a survey was taken regarding whether the LGBTQ+ community should have equal rights in India. Thirty five percent said “No”, thirty five percent said “Yes” and thirty percent said “I don't know”. Why does the Indian community have so much trouble accepting LGBTQ+ people? I have been thinking about this a lot. Being raised in a indian family and being straight, it pains me a lot to see how my LGBTQ+ friends have been treated.
The LGBTQ+ community is something that might be very hard to wrap your head around. They are often perceived in a negative way. Many people treat them as if they are less than human. A study done by the American Phychiatric Association states, “decades of research and clinical experience have led all mainstream mental health organizations in this country to the conclusion that homosexuality is a normal form of human sexuality.” Its totally normal to be gay, it is a branch of human sexuality. But when people come out as gay in India, their families kick them out or try to “convert” them. Conversion camps not only do not work, they are also reported to cause depression, anxiety, drug use and suicide. People started conversion camps because being a homosexual was mislabeled as a mental illness. In villages, citizens try to kill LGBTQ+ people as it's considered a “sin”. They would verbally and physically abuse them. Most people in the trans community run away from their villages and find a job in the city. Due to the transphobia in India it's very difficult for them to get jobs. They are often forced to become prostitutes.
Hundreds of years ago, homosexuality was openly accepted in the Indian culture. Throughout India's rich history there are many moments where it's celebrated. For example in the Indian epic Mahabharata, there is a character called Shikhandini. He is described as a transgender warrior. Transgender people were openly embraced in our culture. He was a young male soldier who was born a female. Scientists explain being Transgender as when a person’s gender identity or expression does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. Sex is the biological difference between male and female. Gender is a social construct meaning it could vary depending on the gender identity or role the person identifies with, due to society establishing male and female roles. Recent research done by Harvard University proves that being transgender is not a mental illness but a hormonal change in the brain. The researchers state that trans women and straight women have similar brain compared to trans women and straight males.
Homophobia and Transphobia were imposed in India by European colonizers. During the British rule, a new section of the Indian Penal Code was introduced in 1860. The Indian Penal Code is the official criminal code of India. The section introduced was called section 377. This rule was based off of Britain's own laws against homosexualaity. The rule allowed people to harass and incarcerate same sex couples in India. After India got independence, the rule remained untouched.
In 2001 the first petition was passed around to abolish section 377. In Mumbai, a silent protest was held in favor of repealing section 377. The first official pride parade was held at Delhi in 2008. There were about 500 people showing their support and chanting “377,quit India”. The pride parade became a tradition in Delhi. In 2008, Tamil Nadu was the first state in India to have a Transgender Welfare policy which allowed trans people to get free sex reassignment surgery. Also, in Tamil Nadu there is a festival called “Koovagam” in honor of trans people. Same sex marriage was later legalized on September 6 2018, which allowed the 157 year old ban to be lifted.
While we as a community have made steps towards progress, gay, trans, and/or queer people are still being mistreated by us. They are people too, and we must learn to not only accept them but embrace them and grow from our past prejudices as at the end of the day love is love.
Here are some extra resources: